Play Chopsticks on a Keyboard or Piano

Chopsticks is a simple, easy melody to learn and play. Many of us start out with this easy tune as a means to getting used to the piano keys, and you can, too! When you get the hang of it, you can even play with a partner.

Steps

Preparing to Play

  1. Find a piano or keyboard that you can use. Obviously you need the instrument in order to learn how to play it. However, if you want to practice you can draw out piano keys on a piece of paper and play that.
  2. Place stickers with notes written on them on the keyboard. If you’re having trouble remembering what note is which it might help to put little circular stickers on each key. You can write the note of each key inside the sticker. Make sure you don’t damage your keyboard! Don’t write on the keyboards.
    • Place the stickers on the notes that you are going to play for this song.
  3. Print out the sheet music. You can find the sheet music for chopsticks many places online. You’ll want to be able to refer to the sheet music as you play while you are learning. Once you memorize it you can get rid of the sheet music. You don't have to do this, but it will help you have something to refer to. If you can't read music you can just write down the notes to play on a piece of paper.
  4. Commit to learning the song. You’re not going to be able to play it perfectly immediately, so go into it with that knowledge. It will be a fun experience but you’ll have to practice and work at it. Don’t get frustrated! This is part of the joy of learning.

Learning the Basics

  1. Learn the basic notes. Use the video above to help you learn the basic notes on the keyboard. You can also use any Internet research that you find helpful. Make sure you start with the notes that you see on the sheet music for chopsticks. The easiest way to learn notes is to get a few basic ones down and then learn to play a song using them. [1]
  2. Position your hands. You want your hands to be turned sideways over your home keys. Make sure that your pinky fingers are the ones closest to the piano. The idea is that the movements or your hands will imitate a chopping motion in someways. That’s why it’s called chopsticks! [2]
    • For example, imagine that you were almost karate chopping the piano keys.
  3. Place your fingers on the keys. Your left pinkie goes on the F key, and the right pinky on the G key. Consult your note sheet if necessary, or use the stickers on your keys if you chose to put them on. [1]
  4. Get your timing. This might be the hardest part. Try to think of a clock ticking—tick, tock, tick, tock. Now for each tick and tock, count to six: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and repeat that to yourself: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Each time you get to three, that’s when you switch to the ‘tock’. [3]

Playing the Song

  1. Play the first measure. Once you have that beat in your head, play the first two notes 6 times. Refer to the image if you would like to see what the music looks like.
    • If you wish to practice this measure, go ahead! You don’t need to rush ahead. Try to master this before you more forward.
  2. Prepare for the second measure. [4] Make sure you have mastered the first measure before moving on. Now move your left pinky to the left, over to E (the next white key). Keep your right pinky right where it is, on the G. See the piano notes in the accompanying picture. br>
  3. Play the E and G notes. Using the same rhythm you started above, play the E and G notes 6 times. Try to keep that tic tock rhythm in your head. Now try to see if you can move from the first measure to the second measure seamlessly.
  4. Move your fingers to the D and B notes. [3] Put your left pinky on the D key, and your right pinky on the B key, as shown in the accompanying picture. This is the next part of the song and slightly more complex, since you’ll need to move both fingers at the same time. Take your time and practice.
  5. Play the D and B notes. Once again, with the same rhythm, play the notes six times. Stick to the tic-tock rhythm as you play or it won’t sound right.
  6. Move your fingers to C, one octave apart. This time, they both go on the note "C", one octave apart. If you’re lost, refer back to where the notes on the piano are. This will help you reorient yourself. [5]
  7. Play the C notes only four times. After you play those four notes, you still have 2 left in your rhythm! Remember that you’re counting to six. For those last two notes, move each finger one note at a time back towards the starting point. The left pinky plays D, then E, while the right pinky plays B, then A. The accompanying picture will provide a visual. br>
  8. Start from the top. [5] Practice and repeat those four measures. Take it slow and split it up into parts if you need to. You’ll get comfortable with it quickly as long as you don’t rush.
  9. Practice and practice! There are many more variations, so as you get more comfortable you can consider giving those ones a try. Have fun.



Tips

  • Practice; be patient, learning this will come fairly easily and quickly.
  • What we call "Chopsticks" was originally called The Celebrated Chopsticks Waltz, written in 1877 by 16-year-old Euphemia Allen[6],

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://makingmusicfun.net/htm/f_printit_free_printable_sheet_music/chopsticks-piano.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.westmusic.com/blogs/the-origin-of-%E2%80%9Cchopsticks%E2%80%9D.aspx
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.playpiano.com/wordpress/Learnpianoplaying/how-to-play-chopsticks-on-the-piano
  4. ↑ http://www.playpiano.com/wordpress/Learnpianoplaying/how-to-play-chopsticks-on-the-piano
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://onlinepianolessons.biz/2011/02/beginning-piano-lessons-how-to-play-chopsticks/
  6. ↑ http://www.trivia-library.com/b/story-and-origins-of-famous-songs-chopsticks.htm

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