How to play Happy Birthday on piano
- Level
- Easy
- Key
- C major
- Composer
- Patty and Mildred Hill
- Written
- 1893 melody ('Good Morning to All')
The melody first appeared as 'Good Morning to All' in 1893. A US federal court ruled in 2015 that the copyright claim on the lyrics was invalid, and the song has been treated as public domain in the United States since 2016. It is in 3/4 time, so count '1 2 3'.
Happy Birthday letter notes
Press play to hear each line while the keys light up. Then play along, one line at a time.
Happy birthday to you
GGAGCB
Happy birthday to you
GGAGDC
Happy birthday dear (name)
GGGECBA
Happy birthday to you
FFECDC
Underlined notes are long notes: hold them for two beats or more.
Hand position
Begin with your right thumb on G4 and let your hand move up for the high notes in the third and fourth lines.
Easy left-hand chords
Once the melody is comfortable, add these chords in your left hand, one per line or bar: C G | G C | C F | C G C.
Chord diagrams: C major, G dominant 7th, F major.
Practice tips
- Each 'Happy' is a short-short pickup. The first G is slightly longer than the second.
- The big jump to high G on the third line is the hardest moment. Practice just G4 to G5 a few times.
- Left hand: C, then G7 under 'to you', back to C, then F for the high line.
How to practice this song
- Listen to each line once with the play button.
- Play one line slowly with the right hand until you make no mistakes three times in a row.
- Join two lines together, then the whole song.
- Add the left-hand chords, at half speed, once the melody is automatic.