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Easy piano · 5 keys

Wagner · Ride of the Valkyries easy piano by numbers

Richard Wagner, Die Walküre, Act III, Ride of the Valkyries (1856) · 12 s · 30 notes · public domain

Ride of the Valkyries is easy to play on the piano with numbers. One hand, 5 keys, about 12 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.

Wagner · Ride of the Valkyries piano notes: A E A C A C A C · E C E C E G E A · E A C A C A C E …

The number sheet

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

2A·1E·2A·3C·2A·3C·2A·3C·
4E·3C·4E·3C·4E·5G·4E·2A·
1E·2A·3C·2A·3C·2A·3C·4E·
3C·4E·3C·4E·5G·4E·

How to play Wagner · Ride of the Valkyries on the piano

The thundering motif of the Valkyries riding into battle, from Act III of Wagner's opera Die Walküre, composed in 1856. The original is in B minor; here it is moved to A minor, so it stays on white keys.

This easy version uses 5 keys (all white keys) and the right hand only: 30 notes, about 12 seconds at 140 BPM in 9/8 time. It has no words.

  1. Find key 1: E4 (above middle C). The other numbers go up from there, to the next key the song uses. Key 1 comes only twice: rest your thumb on key 2, A4, and move your hand down for key 1 when it comes.
  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
1EE4above middle C
2AA4above middle C
3CC5above middle C
4EE5above middle C
5GG5above middle C

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

Wagner · Ride of the Valkyries in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

A E A C A C A C

E C E C E G E A

E A C A C A C E

C E C E G E

How to read piano letter notes

Questions

How do you play Wagner · Ride of the Valkyries on the piano, the easy way?

With one hand and 5 keys: put a finger on key 1, E4, and number the keys the song uses from there. Then press the numbers in order: 2 1 2 3 2 3 2 3 (in letter notes: A E A C A C A C). The whole song lasts about 12 seconds; the lesson on this page shows the next key and waits for you.

How many keys do I need for Wagner · Ride of the Valkyries?

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

What are the first notes of Wagner · Ride of the Valkyries?

In numbers: 2 1 2 3 2 3 2 3. In letter notes: A E A C A C A C.

Is Wagner · Ride of the Valkyries free to play and share?

Yes. Wagner · Ride of the Valkyries is in the public domain (Richard Wagner, Die Walküre, Act III, Ride of the Valkyries (1856)). 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 1–5 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 12 seconds at 140 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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