Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Introduce high C (first note above B)
Practice extended six-note range
Develop smooth interval jumps

About This Song

Origin: French melody (Ah! vous dirai-je, maman) with English lyrics

Difficulty: Beginner

Notes Used: D, E, G, A, B, C (high)

Time Signature: 4/4

Key: C Major

Fingering Review

Full Song

One of the most famous melodies in the world. This version introduces high C, expanding your range upward.

Lyrics:

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!

Practice Tips

New note: High C: High C uses thumb and first finger of left hand only - practice this fingering separately
Breath support: Higher notes need more steady air - not harder, just more consistent
Interval jumps: Practice the jump from C down to G and back smoothly
Phrase endings: The half notes mark natural breathing points

Practice Exercises

Practice reaching high C from B and returning.

Practice the opening interval pattern.

Master the first line of the song.

Practice the descending melody smoothly.

Practice the "Up above the world" section.

Historical Context

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star uses a French melody from 1761 called "Ah! vous dirai-je, maman." The same tune is used for the "Alphabet Song" and "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep." The English lyrics about the star were written by Jane Taylor in 1806 as a poem called "The Star." Mozart wrote a famous set of twelve variations on this melody (K. 265) in 1781-82. The simple, memorable melody has made it one of the most recognized tunes in Western music, and it's often one of the first songs children learn.

Performance Goal: Play the entire song smoothly with clear high C notes. Focus on maintaining steady rhythm and making the interval jumps sound effortless.

Next Steps

Once you can play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star confidently, try:

Playing it at different dynamics (soft and loud)
Trying the full six variations if you're feeling adventurous
Learning "Bingo" which also uses high C