Home · Song Guides · Frère Jacques
How to Play Frère Jacques on Piano
Frère Jacques is the world's most famous round: the same melody sung in overlapping turns. On piano, the two-phrase structure (question, then the rising 'sonnez les matines' answer) teaches musical phrasing naturally.
Learn it solo first, then play it as a round with a friend — one person starts, the other joins two bars later.
🎼 Key: C major
📊 Level: easy
🎵 32 notes
💡 Tip: start at 50% speed in Practice Mode
🎹 Frère Jacques — Notes to Play (in order)
C4 – D4 – E4 – C4 – C4 – D4 – E4 – C4 – E4 – F4 – G4 – E4 – F4 – G4 – G4 – A4 – G4 – F4 – E4 – C4 – G4 – A4 – G4 – F4 – E4 – C4 – C4 – G4 – C4 – C4 – G4 – C4
Notes marked with + play at the same time (two hands). Open the piano above, switch to Practice Mode, and follow the green highlights.
✅ 4 Tips to Learn It Faster
- The opening C–D–E–C repeats twice — lock that pattern in first.
- Climb the 'sonnez les matines' run (G–A–G–F–E–C) slowly; it's the hardest bar.
- The 'ding ding dong' ending (C–G–C) must ring out — hold the final C.
- Try it as a round: it works because the harmony was designed for overlap.