Are you interested in learning more about the lullaby “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star?” Would you like to play this song on the piano? Read on to learn more about this folk song, where it comes from, and how to play it!
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How to play “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” on the piano
The melody to “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” is simple, and with a little practice, you can easily play it on your own piano! Watch Mr. Hoffman’s video tutorial to learn this song in the key of C:
What key is “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” in?
Mozart’s rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle” is in C major, but the melody can be transposed into and performed in any major key!
What are the notes in “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?”
This song uses the first six notes of the scale, Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, and La. In the C major scale, that’s C, D, E, F, G, and A, with C being the lowest note in the song. The rhythm mostly uses quarter notes (“tas” – each is held for one beat), but each phrase ends with a half note (“two-wos” – held for two beats). Here are the notes of the melody:
Solfege:
DO DO SO SO LA LA SO
FA FA MI MI RE RE DO
SO SO FA FA MI MI RE
SO SO FA FA MI MI RE
DO DO SO SO LA LA SO
FA FA MI MI RE RE DO
C Major Notes:
C C G G A A G
F F E E D D C
G G F F E E D
G G F F E E D
C C G G A A G
F F E E D D C
Finger Numbers:
To play this song, place your left hand thumb (LH finger 1) on middle C and your right hand thumb (RH finger 1) right next to it on D. In this position you will use all of your right hand fingers but only your left hand thumb to play this song. The finger numbers below are labelled L for left and R for right.
L1 L1 R4 R4 R5 R5 R4
R3 R3 R2 R2 R1 R1 L1
R4 R4 R3 R3 R2 R2 R1
R4 R4 R3 R3 R2 R2 R1
L1 L1 R4 R4 R5 R5 R4
R3 R3 R2 R2 R1 R1 L1
Get free sheet music for “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
We have free sheet music for “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and many other fun children’s songs. This song has been arranged at two different levels of difficulty so you can choose the sheet music that’s right for you. The free elementary level version of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” is the same version Mr. Hoffman teaches in his video tutorial. When you’re ready for a more advanced version, the elementary level version of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” adds a simple left hand part.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star early elementary level FREE download (Hoffman Academy Units 1-4).
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star elementary level included with premium or $2.99 to download (Hoffman Academy Units 5-8).
Who wrote “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and when?
The melody for “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” originally comes from the 18th century French folk-song entitled “Ah! Vous dirai-je, maman,” which is translated to mean “Oh! Shall I tell you, mama.” The text that we are familiar with today comes from a 19th century poem written by English author Jane Taylor. The composition of this song is often falsely attributed to W. A. Mozart, but he did compose a piano piece named “Twelve Variations in C Major, on the French Song ‘Ah! Vous dirai-je, maman’” in 1781/82, at approximately 25 years of age. Check out a performance of this famous work here!
Due to its simple melody and soothing nighttime-themed lyrics, this song has become famous as a lullaby for children. Read on to find out why!
What is “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” about?
Here are the words to the original Jane Taylor poem “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”. While reading the words, think about what the meaning might be!
As you read, you might be hearing the familiar melody of this song in your head. Notice that parts of the melody in this song repeat in a regular pattern. The pattern makes this song easier to learn! Notice that the first line or phrase is the same as the fifth line (phrase) of the song. This part is called the A section. The 3rd and 4th lines (phrase) of the song are identical. These lines are both called the C section. Once you notice the patterns, you can see that the form of this song is ABCCAB.
(A) Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
(B) How I wonder what you are!
(C) Up above the world so high,
(C) Like a diamond in the sky.
(A) Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
(B) How I wonder what you are!
(A) When the blazing sun is gone,
(B) When he nothing shines upon,
(C) Then you show your little light,
(C) Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
(A) When the blazing sun is gone,
(B) When he nothing shines upon.
(A) Then the traveler in the dark,
(B) Thanks you for your tiny spark,
(C) He could not see which way to go,
(C) If you did not twinkle so.
(A) Then the traveler in the dark,
(B) Thanks you for your tiny spark.
(A) In the dark blue sky you keep,
(B) And often thro’ my curtains peep,
(C) For you never shut your eye,
(C) Till the sun is in the sky.
(A) In the dark blue sky you keep,
(B) And often thro’ my curtains peep.
(A) ‘Tis your bright and tiny spark,
(B) Lights the traveler in the dark,
(C) Tho’ I know not what you are,
(C) Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
(A) ‘Tis your bright and tiny spark,
(B) Lights the traveler in the dark.
The poetry of this lullaby celebrates the childlike curiosity that comes from looking up at the nighttime sky. When someone looks up at the sky, they might wonder how high up the stars are, what they are, and why they twinkle. Stars provide light in the nighttime darkness after the sun goes down, which can help travelers see in the dark. The observer might also wonder why the stars disappear during the day after the sun rises. Overall, these words sound hopeful – you can always rely on the stars and their guiding lights to be in the sky after the sun disappears.
After reading the words yourself, what do you think the meaning of this poem might be? Do you agree or do you have a different interpretation?
Other easy songs piano songs for children to learn
Now that you know all about “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” you can practice it on your own! If you’d like to learn more easy songs, check out this Hoffman Academy blog article: Easy Songs to Play on the Piano!
We here at Hoffman Academy hope you enjoy playing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and other fun piano songs. Stay focused and practice, practice, practice!