Easy piano · 11 keys

Verdi · Va, pensiero easy piano by numbers

Q: How many keys do I need for Verdi · Va, pensiero?

11 keys, 3 of them black, played with the right hand: 1 = G, 2 = B, 3 = C, 4 = C♯, 5 = D, 6 = E, 7 = F, 8 = F♯, 9 = G, 10 = G♯, 11 = A.

Q: What are the first notes of Verdi · Va, pensiero?

In numbers: 6 5 3 1 9 9 9 6. In letter notes: E D C G G G G E.

Giuseppe Verdi, Nabucco, Act III, chorus of the Hebrew slaves, Va, pensiero (1842) · 33 s · 61 notes · public domain

Va, pensiero is easy to play on the piano with numbers. One hand, 11 keys, about 33 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

65319

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

Verdi · Va, pensiero piano notes: E D C G G G G E · C C B D C B D F · G G G C E E D E …

The number sheet

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

6E·5D·3C·1G·9G·9G·9G·6E·

3C·3C·2B·5D·3C·2B·5D·7F·

1G·1G·1G·3C·6E·6E·5D·6E·

5D·3C·2B·6E·5D·3C·1G·9G·

9G·9G·6E·3C·3C·2B·5D·3C·

2B·5D·7F·1G·1G·1G·3C·6E·

9G·8F♯·9G·10G♯·11A·6E·9G·7F·

4C♯·6E·5D·2B·3C·

How to play Verdi · Va, pensiero on the piano

The chorus of the Hebrew slaves from Verdi's opera Nabucco, premiered in 1842, a hushed, nostalgic melody that has become an unofficial anthem in Italy. The original is in D-flat major; here it is moved to C major, with a few chromatic notes in the little run.

This easy version uses 11 keys (3 of them black) and the right hand only: 61 notes, about 33 seconds at 86 BPM in 6/4 time. It has no words.

Find key 1: G3 (below middle C). The other numbers go up from there, to the next key the song uses.

Press ▶ Listen to hear the song while the numbers light up.

Press 🎹 Play it and play the numbers in order; an arrow shows the next key, and the lesson waits for you.

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).

Finish the song for up to three stars — fewer mistakes, more stars.

The keys

Number	Note	Key	Where
1	G	G3	below middle C
2	B	B3	below middle C
3	C	C4	middle C
4	C♯	C♯4	above middle C
5	D	D4	above middle C
6	E	E4	above middle C
7	F	F4	above middle C
8	F♯	F♯4	above middle C
9	G	G4	above middle C
10	G♯	G♯4	above middle C
11	A	A4	above middle C

Number

Note

Key

Where

below middle C

middle C

C♯

C♯4

above middle C

F♯

F♯4

above middle C

G♯

G♯4

above middle C

Verdi · Va, pensiero in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

E D C G G G G E

C C B D C B D F

G G G C E E D E

D C B E D C G G

G G E C C B D C

B D F G G G C E

G F♯ G G♯ A E G F

C♯ E D B C

Questions

How do you play Verdi · Va, pensiero on the piano, the easy way?

With one hand and 11 keys: put a finger on key 1, G3, and number the keys the song uses from there. Then press the numbers in order: 6 5 3 1 9 9 9 6 (in letter notes: E D C G G G G E). The whole song lasts about 33 seconds; the lesson on this page shows the next key and waits for you.

How many keys do I need for Verdi · Va, pensiero?

11 keys, 3 of them black, played with the right hand: 1 = G, 2 = B, 3 = C, 4 = C♯, 5 = D, 6 = E, 7 = F, 8 = F♯, 9 = G, 10 = G♯, 11 = A.

What are the first notes of Verdi · Va, pensiero?

In numbers: 6 5 3 1 9 9 9 6. In letter notes: E D C G G G G E.

Is Verdi · Va, pensiero free to play and share?

Yes. Verdi · Va, pensiero is in the public domain (Giuseppe Verdi, Nabucco, Act III, chorus of the Hebrew slaves, Va, pensiero (1842)). 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 1–10 (0 for 10) and the letters shown on the keys 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 33 seconds at 86 beats a minute. Most beginners play it through within a few tries; lower the speed with the slider to go slower.

More by Giuseppe Verdi

If you like Va, pensiero, try

Verdi · Va, pensiero easy piano by numbers

The number sheet

How to play Verdi · Va, pensiero on the piano

The keys

Verdi · Va, pensiero in letter notes

Questions

More by Giuseppe Verdi

Verdi · Brindisi

Verdi · La donna è mobile

If you like Va, pensiero, try

Beethoven · Für Elise

Can-Can

Mozart · Symphony No. 40

Mozart · Sonata Facile