PIANUMERO
Easy piano · 8 keys

Korobeiniki

Russian folk song, words by Nikolai Nekrasov (1861) · 26 s · 55 notes · public domain
52343
Ой, полным-полна моя коробушка,

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

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

The number sheet

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

5EОй,2Bпол3Cным4D-пол3Cна2Bмо1Aя1Aко3Cро5Eбуш4Dка,3C·
2BЕсть3Cи4Dси5Eтец,3Cи1Aпар1Aча.
4DПо6Fжа8Aлей,7Gду6Fша5E-за3Cзно5Eбуш4Dка,3C·
2BМо2Bло3Cдец4Dко5Eго3Cпле1Aча.1A·
4DПо6Fжа8Aлей,7Gду6Fша5E-за3Cзно5Eбуш4Dка,3C·
2BМо2Bло3Cдец4Dко5Eго3Cпле1Aча.1A·

How to play Korobeiniki on the piano

A Russian folk song on Nikolai Nekrasov's poem "The Peddlers" (1861), about a young peddler and his sweetheart. Its march-like tune, in A minor here, is known all over the world.

This easy version uses 8 white keys and the right hand only: 55 notes, about 26 seconds at 112 BPM in 4/4 time. The words are in Russian.

  1. Find key 1: A3 (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
1AA3below middle C
2BB3below middle C
3CC4middle C
4DD4above middle C
5EE4above middle C
6FF4above middle C
7GG4above middle C
8AA4above middle C

Korobeiniki in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

E B C D C B A A C E D C
Ой, полным-полна моя коробушка,

B C D E C A A
Есть и ситец, и парча.

D F A G F E C E D C
Пожалей, душа-зазнобушка,

B B C D E C A A
Молодецкого плеча.

D F A G F E C E D C
Пожалей, душа-зазнобушка,

B B C D E C A A
Молодецкого плеча.

Questions

How many keys do I need for Korobeiniki?

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

What are the first notes of Korobeiniki?

In numbers: 5 2 3 4 3 2 1 1 3 5 4 3. In letter notes: E B C D C B A A C E D C.

Is Korobeiniki free to play and share?

Yes. Korobeiniki is in the public domain (Russian folk song, words by Nikolai Nekrasov (1861)). 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 26 seconds at 112 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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