PIANUMERO
Easy piano · 9 keys

Rock-a-bye Baby easy piano by numbers

Traditional lullaby (English/American, words attributed to Effie Crockett, 1887) · 16 s · 37 notes · public domain

Rock-a-bye Baby is easy to play on the piano with numbers. One hand, 9 keys, about 16 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.

Rock-a-bye Baby piano notes: E G E D C E G C · B F G F E D D C · A G E G E D C E …

The number sheet

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

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

How to play Rock-a-bye Baby on the piano

The classic cradle song, with its dotted, rocking rhythm and a soaring leap in the middle of each phrase. It is moved to C major here, so every note is a white key.

This easy version uses 9 keys (all white keys) and the right hand only: 37 notes, about 16 seconds at 90 BPM in 6/8 time. It has no words.

  1. Find key 1: E4 (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
1EE4above middle C
2FF4above middle C
3GG4above middle C
4AA4above middle C
5BB4above middle C
6CC5above middle C
7DD5above middle C
8EE5above middle C
9FF5above middle C

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

Rock-a-bye Baby in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

E G E D C E G C

B F G F E D D C

A G E G E D C E

G C B A G C F E

C D A B C

How to read piano letter notes

Questions

How do you play Rock-a-bye Baby on the piano, the easy way?

With one hand and 9 keys: put a finger on key 1, E4, and number the keys the song uses from there. Then press the numbers in order: 1 3 8 7 6 1 3 6 (in letter notes: E G E D C E G C). The whole song lasts about 16 seconds; the lesson on this page shows the next key and waits for you.

How many keys do I need for Rock-a-bye Baby?

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

What are the first notes of Rock-a-bye Baby?

In numbers: 1 3 8 7 6 1 3 6. In letter notes: E G E D C E G C.

Is Rock-a-bye Baby free to play and share?

Yes. Rock-a-bye Baby is in the public domain (Traditional lullaby (English/American, words attributed to Effie Crockett, 1887)). 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 1–9 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 16 seconds at 90 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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