These songs that I have chosen are in my opinion easy to play and learn with a little practice. They are all suitable for a beginner on the thumb piano or kalimba. Before you can play any song you must ensure that your instrument is in tune, and is ready to go. Assuming that it is all good, let's go ahead and start learning those tabs!
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Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Twinkle twinkle little star is a popular nursery rhyme that was written by an English author called Jane Taylor in 1806. The original rhyme was actually called ‘the star’ and since its first publication, it has changed quite significantly.
NOTES & LYRICS
C C G G A A G
Twinkle, Twinkle little star,
F F E E D D C
How I wonder what you are.
G F F E E D
Up above the world so high,
G G F F E E D
Like a diamond in the sky.
C C G G A A G
Twinkle, Twinkle little star.
F F E E D D C
How I wonder what you are.
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Mary Had a Little Lamb
Mary had a little lamb is another common kids’ nursery rhyme by composer Lowell Martin. The song is based on a real-life incident involving Mary Elizabeth Sawyer. She was born in 1806 on a farm in Scotland and she had a pet lamb that she absolutely loved.
NOTES & LYRICS
E D C D E E E
Mary had a little lamb,
D D D E E E
little lamb, little lamb.
E D C D E E E
Mary had a little lamb,
E D D E D C
Its fleece was white as snow.
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Incy Wincy Spider
Incy wincy spider is a popular modern nursery rhyme, according to various internet sources it started off as a song for adults that was called Camp and Camino’ with the main words being ‘blooming, bloody instead of ‘Itsy Bitsy’. The song itself was first published in 1920 and variations of the lyrics are still being used today in various regions.
The idea of the song is very positive and it aims to inspire children to never give up. For example, when the rain brings you down, keep going because the sun will come out and you can try again.
NOTES & LYRICS:
G C C C D E E° E D C D E C
The Incy wincy spider climbed up the water spout.
E E F G G F E F G E
Down came the rain, and washed the spider out
C C D E E D C D E C
Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain.
G G C C C D E E E D C D E C
And the incy wincy spider climbed up the spout again.
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Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Old MacDonald had A farm is a popular nursery rhyme and animal song for children. It was recorded in the united states. Its first publication was approximately 1917.
NOTES & LYRICS
C C C G A A G E E D D C
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O.
G C C C G A A G E E D D C
And on his farm, he had some chicks, E-I-E-I-O.
G G C C C G G C C C
With a chick, chick here, and a chick, chick there.
C C C C C C C C C C C C
Here a chick, there a chick, everywhere a chick, chick,
C C C G A A G E E D D C
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O.
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Jingle Bells
Jingle Bells is a very well known song that was originally written by James Lord Pierpont. The song was inspired by the open sleigh cart-horse races during 1857. It has been since associated with the season of Christmas due to 'Santa and his sleigh', however, that is not how the songwriter originally intended.
NOTES & LYRICS
E E E E E E E G C D E
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
F F F F F E E E E
oh, what fun it is to ride in a
E D D E D G
one-horse open sleigh.
E E E E E E G C D E
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
F F F F E E E E
oh, what fun it is to ride in a
G G F D C
one-horse open sleigh.
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Frère Jacques
Frère Jacques is a very well known kid's French nursery rhyme, it was originally written by Rameau. The English lyrics translate to: Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? Brother John, brother john. The morning bells are ringing. The morning bells are ringing. Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
NOTES & LYRICS
C D E C C D E C E F G E F G
Fre-re Jac-ques, Fre-re Jac-ques. Dor-mez vous, dor-mez vous.
G A G F E C G A G F E C
Son-nez les ma-ti-nes, Son-nez les ma-ti-nes
C G C C G C
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong
Thumb Piano Song Demo
Here is a video of me playing all of these songs, just in case you wanted to hear how they are supposed to sound in rhythm. I am by no means a professional kalimba player but I do have a lot of experience with other musical instruments and am passionate about music and providing free education for all.
