PIANUMERO
Easy piano · 10 keys

Bach · Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

J. S. Bach, Cantata BWV 147 (1723) · 30 s · 63 notes · public domain
34576

The interactive lesson needs JavaScript. Meanwhile, here is the whole song in numbers.

Bach · Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring piano notes: C D E G F F A G · G C B C G E C D · E F G A G F E D …

The number sheet

The whole song, in numbers. Print it, or put it on your piano.

3C·4D·5E·7G·6F·6F·8A·7G·
7G·10C·9B·10C·7G·5E·3C·4D·
5E·6F·7G·8A·7G·6F·5E·4D·
5E·3C·2B·3C·4D·1G·2B·4D·
6F·5E·4D·5E·3C·4D·5E·7G·
6F·6F·8A·7G·7G·10C·9B·10C·
7G·5E·3C·4D·5E·8A·7G·6F·
5E·4D·3C·1G·3C·2B·3C·

How to play Bach · Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring on the piano

The flowing triplet line of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", from Johann Sebastian Bach's cantata BWV 147 (1723), up to its first cadence. Here in C major, on white keys only.

This easy version uses 10 white keys and the right hand only: 63 notes, about 30 seconds at 72 BPM in 9/8 time. It has no words.

  1. Find key 1: G3 (below middle C). The other numbers go up from there, one white key each.
  2. Press ▶ Listen to hear the song while the numbers light up.
  3. Press 🎹 Play it and play the numbers in order; an arrow shows the next key, and the lesson waits for you.
  4. Finish the song for up to three stars — fewer mistakes, more stars.

The keys

NumberNoteKeyWhere
1GG3below middle C
2BB3below middle C
3CC4middle C
4DD4above middle C
5EE4above middle C
6FF4above middle C
7GG4above middle C
8AA4above middle C
9BB4above middle C
10CC5above middle C

Bach · Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

C D E G F F A G

G C B C G E C D

E F G A G F E D

E C B C D G B D

F E D E C D E G

F F A G G C B C

G E C D E A G F

E D C G C B C

Questions

How many keys do I need for Bach · Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring?

10 keys, all white keys, played with the right hand: 1 = G, 2 = B, 3 = C, 4 = D, 5 = E, 6 = F, 7 = G, 8 = A, 9 = B, 10 = C.

What are the first notes of Bach · Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring?

In numbers: 3 4 5 7 6 6 8 7. In letter notes: C D E G F F A G.

Is Bach · Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring free to play and share?

Yes. Bach · Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring is in the public domain (J. S. Bach, Cantata BWV 147 (1723)). This easy arrangement, its number sheet and its MIDI file are free to use and share for learning.

Can I play it without a piano?

Yes: tap the keys on the page on a phone or tablet, or press the numbers 1–10 on a computer keyboard. The lesson waits for the right key and shows the next one.

How long does it take to learn?

The whole song lasts 30 seconds at 72 beats a minute. Most beginners play it through within a few tries; lower the speed with the slider to go slower.

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