Origin: Traditional American (adapted from French melody)
Difficulty: Beginner
Notes Used: D, E, G, A, B
Time Signature: 4/4
Key: D Major
A classic American folk song with a simple, memorable melody. The song moves mostly by step, making it easy to finger.
Lyrics:
Go tell Aunt Rhody,
Go tell Aunt Rhody,
Go tell Aunt Rhody,
The old gray goose is dead.
Practice the first line - you'll use it twice!
Practice the descending phrase to low D.
Practice reaching up to the A - the highest note in the song.
Practice the core three-note pattern used throughout.
Put together the first two lines.
Go Tell Aunt Rhody is a traditional American folk song that became popular in the 19th century. The melody is actually adapted from a theme in Jean-Jacques Rousseau's opera "Le Devin du Village" (1752). The song has been used in American schools for generations to teach both music and as a simple story song. Various verses exist beyond the famous first verse about the goose. The simple, mostly stepwise melody makes it an excellent piece for developing smooth finger transitions on the recorder.
Once you can play Go Tell Aunt Rhody confidently, try: