About the piece
Born as an African-American spiritual, it became one of the signature tunes of New Orleans jazz, especially after Louis Armstrong's 1938 recording.
The melody uses few notes and a strong rhythm: perfect for first two-hand pieces.
The arrangement was written by us for Piano Learning; the app also has a ★★ version with chords.
The notes of the melody (right hand)
Notes with a coloured border are longer. The video also shows the left hand.
CEFG
CEFG
CEFG
ECE
DEEDC
CEG
GFEFGE
CDC
How to practise it
- Read the notes above and find the hand position: most of the time the fingers stay on five neighbouring keys.
- Every phrase starts after a rest: count it, it is part of the rhythm.
- Add the left hand only when the right hand is secure, first at 60% as in the video.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to read music?
No: the notes are written in letters and the video shows which key to press and for how long.
Can I play it with one hand?
Yes, the right-hand melody alone is already recognisable. In the app, if you practise one hand, the app plays the other.