Lightly Row is a popular song that uses a range of only 5 notes. This makes playing the piano very easy because you can easily play it with one hand.
Here are the lyrics to the song:
Light row, light row,
On the glas-s waves come on!
Smooth gliding, smooth gliding,
We shut up.
Let the winds and the waters be
Ming-run with our me-lo-dy.
Sing and float, sing and float
In our little boat!
Hyphens are used to separate words with 2 or more syllables. This makes it easier to match the lyrics to the melody.
This song can be played with the left or right hand only. The note range is between the middle C and the top G. Try this piece on your right hand first. Then play it 8 notes (one octave) lower in the left hand. If you’re feeling brave, touch both hands together one octave apart. This is called playing in unison.
Here are Lightly Row’s notes:
GEE, FDD,
CDEFGGG,
GEE, FDD,
CEGG E.
DDDDDEF
EEEEEF G.
GEE, FDD
CEGG E.
There are 8 lines in the song. What lines are identical? Notice in the first line that the first 3 notes are GE E. This pattern then repeats one note lower. Next, tap FD D. This is called the decay pattern. It is a very useful way to learn and remember piano music.