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London Bridge Is Falling Down

London Bridge Is Falling Down sits in D position, with the right thumb on the D above middle C and the little finger on A. Its first measure has a dotted rhythm, and the very last note needs the thumb to reach down to middle C.

Play it in Octotune

The opening, as the app engraves it: G4, A4, G4, F4

The melody in letters

Measure by measure, as the app’s melody version has it; the small numbers are the fingers.

  1. Measure 1G4A5G4F3
  2. Measure 2E2F3G4
  3. Measure 3D1E2F3
  4. Measure 4E2F3G4
  5. Measure 5G4A5G4F3
  6. Measure 6E2F3G4
  7. Measure 7D1G4
  8. Measure 8E2C1

At a glance

ComposerTraditional
DifficultyStarter pieces: grades 1–2 of 8
KeyC major (no sharps or flats)
Time4/4
Tempo100 quarter-note beats a minute, as the app starts it (it can go slower)
Length8 measures, about 19 seconds
Handsone hand or both, by version
Right handC4 to A4
Left handC3 to G3
On the pathUnit 6, Steps and skips, Kids, Steps and skips, up to E

It reaches past the staff: see ledger lines explained.

Versions in the app

VersionGradeLevels
London Bridge Is Falling Down — melody1 of 8Full
London Bridge Is Falling Down — with bass2 of 8Melody, Full

Practice notes

London Bridge is a good tune for learning that a hand position doesn't have to start on C. Put the right thumb on D, just above middle C, and the fingers fall on D E F G A (1 2 3 4 5).

The first line is G A G F, E F G ("London Bridge is falling down"), D E F ("falling down"), E F G ("falling down"). The last line repeats the start, then ends D, G, E C ("my fair lady").

Two things to watch:

  • The dotted rhythm at the start. The first G is a dotted quarter and the A a quick eighth: long-short, "Lon-don". Don't make them even.
  • The last note, middle C, is one key below the position. The thumb reaches down to it from D. Don't move the whole hand.

Reading tip. The tune moves mostly by step: from a line to the next space and back. Follow the shape with your eyes and fingers rather than naming each note.

Practice plan. Clap the first measure's rhythm, then play it. Learn the first line in Wait for me, then the ending, then put them together.

In the path: Unit 6 for grown-ups (steps and skips), and the Kids unit Hop and skip.

Questions

What are the piano notes for London Bridge Is Falling Down?

G A G F E F G, D E F, E F G; G A G F E F G, D, G, E C. Right thumb on D: D 1, E 2, F 3, G 4, A 5, with the thumb reaching down to C for the last note.

Credits and license

  • Music: Traditional
  • Arranged for Octotune
  • License: Arrangement © Octotune; melody public domain

The Octotune team · Updated