PIANUMERO
Easy piano · 8 keys

Larionov · Kalinka easy piano by numbers

Ivan Larionov, Kalinka (1860) · 29 s · 48 notes · public domain

Kalinka is easy to play on the piano with numbers. One hand, 8 keys, about 29 seconds: press the numbers in order, as they light up, and the lesson waits for you. Free, no account needed.

▶ Play it now

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

Larionov · Kalinka piano notes: E G F E D C G E · G F E D C G A C · B D C B A G G G …

The number sheet

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

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

How to play Larionov · Kalinka on the piano

The best-known Russian folk-style song in the world, written by Ivan Larionov in 1860 for a stage show. This is the fast refrain, a bouncing line that climbs and drops on a few white keys, played twice, in A minor.

This easy version uses 8 keys (all white keys) and the right hand only: 48 notes, about 29 seconds at 132 BPM in 4/4 time. It has no words.

  1. Find key 1: G4 (above 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. Want the rhythm too? Press 🌧 Falling notes: each note falls onto its key, and its length shows how long to hold it (how falling notes work).
  5. Finish the song for up to three stars — fewer mistakes, more stars.

The keys

NumberNoteKeyWhere
1GG4above middle C
2AA4above middle C
3BB4above middle C
4CC5above middle C
5DD5above middle C
6EE5above middle C
7FF5above middle C
8GG5above middle C

Larionov · Kalinka in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

E G F E D C G E

G F E D C G A C

B D C B A G G G

E G F E D C G E

G F E D C G A C

B D C B A G G G

Questions

How do you play Larionov · Kalinka on the piano, the easy way?

With one hand and 8 keys: put a finger on key 1, G4, and number the keys the song uses from there. Then press the numbers in order: 6 8 7 6 5 4 1 6 (in letter notes: E G F E D C G E). The whole song lasts about 29 seconds; the lesson on this page shows the next key and waits for you.

How many keys do I need for Larionov · Kalinka?

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

What are the first notes of Larionov · Kalinka?

In numbers: 6 8 7 6 5 4 1 6. In letter notes: E G F E D C G E.

Is Larionov · Kalinka free to play and share?

Yes. Larionov · Kalinka is in the public domain (Ivan Larionov, Kalinka (1860)). 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 1–8 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 29 seconds at 132 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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