How to Play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the Piano

"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" is one of the most beloved songs of childhood. The melody for this song originated with a French tune known as "Ah! Vous dirais-je, Maman." The English lyrics that were set to this melody were penned by sisters Ann and Jane Taylor. The "Alphabet Song," and "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" also share the same melody. This song makes an excellent exercise for beginning pianists.

Things You'll Need

Piano

Locate middle C. It is a white key that is near the middle of the piano. You can find it by looking at the sets of black keys; they are in groups of two and three. Find the two black keys closest to the middle of the piano. Middle C is directly to the left of the first black key in this group.

Play middle C twice for "Twinkle."

Locate the G above middle C. If you start with middle C and count the white keys to the right of middle C, G is the fifth key. Play G twice for "twinkle."

Promoted by

Locate the A above middle C. It is the next white key to the right of the G. Play it twice for "little."

Play G again for "star." Hold this note for two counts; this is a little longer than the other notes you've played so far, which get one count each.

Locate the F above middle C. It is the white key directly to the left of G. Play it twice for "how I."

Locate the E above middle C. It is the white key directly to the left of F. Play it twice for "wonder."

Other People Are Reading

Locate the D above middle C. It is directly to the left of E. Play it twice for "what you."

Play middle C once for "are," and hold it for two counts.

Play the following progression for the phrase, "Up above the world so high" :
G-G-F-F-E-E-D (two counts on D)
Repeat the same pattern for, "Like a diamond in the sky."

End the song with the same pattern you played in steps two through nine. Therefore, the notes for the ending phrase, "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are," are:
C-C-G-G-A-A-G (two counts), F-F-E-E-D-D-C (two counts).