Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday is the song everyone wants to play first. It's short, instantly recognisable, and uses a small handful of notes — perfect for absolute beginners who want a quick win on the piano.

1. Find C (the white key just left of the two black keys) on the keyboard — that's your starting note for Happy Birthday.
2. Click "Listen first" at the Slow speed to hear the melody. Watch which piano keyboard letters light up.
3. Switch to practice mode. The next note will glow on the piano — play it with your mouse, touchscreen, or computer keyboard.
4. Repeat the song two or three times at Slow speed before moving up to Normal. Speed comes from repetition, not effort.

• Use only your right hand at first. Happy Birthday fits comfortably under five fingers, so you don't need to jump around the keyboard.
• Say the letter note out loud as you press each key. This is the fastest way to memorise easy piano notes.
• Practise in short sessions — five focused minutes a day beats one long session per week for beginner piano songs.
• If you keep stumbling on the same spot, slow that section down and loop just those three or four notes.

• Trying to play at full speed straight away. Start with the Slow playback so the timing of each note is clear.
• Hitting the wrong octave. Make sure your hand is in the same octave as the glowing key on the on-screen piano.
• Ignoring the computer keyboard letters. The A-S-D-F row maps directly to the white keys around middle C — use it.
• Skipping the "Listen first" step. Your ear has to know the tune before your fingers can play it.