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Au clair de la lune

Traditional (French) · Key of C major · 4/4 · ♩ = 96

Au clair de la lune is an 18th century French folk song with a slow tune built on just three notes, C, D and E. Pianory’s 16-bar version is the first piece where you really read the left hand in bass clef, then play both hands at once in the last phrase.

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What makes it tricky

The right hand is easy, so the whole challenge sits in the left: five notes from low G up to D, read in bass clef. The last phrase is the first time both hands play together, and your brain needs time to follow two lines at once.

How to practice it

  1. Pick Left hand at 50% and say each note name out loud as you play. If bass clef still feels shaky, reread the Bass clef lesson first.
  2. Pick Both at 50% and play only the last phrase, where the hands overlap, until you stop hesitating.
  3. Play the whole piece at 75%, then 100%. Hold the half and whole notes for their full length instead of lifting early.