PIANUMERO
Easy piano · 8 keys

Hayashi · Kimigayo easy piano by numbers

Hiromori Hayashi, Franz Eckert, Kimigayo (1880) · 40 s · 40 notes · public domain

Kimigayo is easy to play on the piano with numbers. One hand, 8 keys, about 40 seconds: press the numbers in order, as they light up, and the lesson waits for you. Free, no account needed.

▶ Play it now

On paper: the 25 easiest songs, in a printable book · 2 songs free to print

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

Hayashi · Kimigayo piano notes: D C D E G E D E · G A G A D B A G · E G A D C D E G …

The number sheet

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

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

How to play Hayashi · Kimigayo on the piano

The national anthem of Japan, with a melody chosen in 1880 and arranged by Franz Eckert from a court tune by Hiromori Hayashi. It is one of the shortest anthems in the world, here played whole in the mode of D, on white keys only.

This easy version uses 8 keys (all white keys) and the right hand only: 40 notes, about 40 seconds at 66 BPM in 4/4 time. It has no words.

  1. Find key 1: C4 (middle C). The other numbers go up from there, to the next key the song uses.
  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
1CC4middle C
2DD4above middle C
3EE4above middle C
4GG4above middle C
5AA4above middle C
6BB4above middle C
7CC5above middle C
8DD5above middle C

New to numbers? How piano numbers work · Where is middle C? · Know do re mi? The same keys in do re mi

Hayashi · Kimigayo in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

D C D E G E D E

G A G A D B A G

E G A D C D E G

A G E G D A C D

C D A G A G E D

How to read piano letter notes

Questions

How do you play Hayashi · Kimigayo on the piano, the easy way?

With one hand and 8 keys: put a finger on key 1, C4, and number the keys the song uses from there. Then press the numbers in order: 2 1 2 3 4 3 2 3 (in letter notes: D C D E G E D E). The whole song lasts about 40 seconds; the lesson on this page shows the next key and waits for you.

How many keys do I need for Hayashi · Kimigayo?

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

What are the first notes of Hayashi · Kimigayo?

In numbers: 2 1 2 3 4 3 2 3. In letter notes: D C D E G E D E.

Is Hayashi · Kimigayo free to play and share?

Yes. Hayashi · Kimigayo is in the public domain (Hiromori Hayashi, Franz Eckert, Kimigayo (1880)). 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 40 seconds at 66 beats a minute. Most beginners play it through within a few tries; lower the speed with the slider to go slower.

If you like Kimigayo, try

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Haydn · Das Lied der Deutschen

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Also: Het Wilhelmus piano notes