Hot Cross Buns: piano notes for a first song
This version of Hot Cross Buns uses three white keys: C, D and E. Help your child find C near the middle of the piano, then try the melody one short phrase at a time.
Key: C major. Time: 4/4. Range: C4–E4. Hand: right hand for the melody. This page contains the melody without a left-hand accompaniment.
Find the three keys
Look for a group of two black keys near the middle of the keyboard. C is the white key immediately to their left, and D and E are the next two white keys to its right. The number 4 in C4 names the octave; middle C is C4.
The hand can stay in one place for the whole song: thumb on C, index finger on D and middle finger on E.
The complete melody, with beat counts
Each row below is one bar with four beats. The number after a note is its length in beats: (1) one beat, (2) two beats and (0.5) half a beat, so two such notes share one beat. Press a held note once and let it sound for the written length. Repeated letters mean play the key again.
The opening E D C comes twice. Bar 3 has quick repeated notes, four Cs and then four Ds, and the last bar returns to E D C.
| Bar | Notes and beats |
|---|---|
| 1 |
E(1)
D(1)
C(2)
|
| 2 |
E(1)
D(1)
C(2)
|
| 3 |
C(0.5)
C(0.5)
C(0.5)
C(0.5)
D(0.5)
D(0.5)
D(0.5)
D(0.5)
|
| 4 |
E(1)
D(1)
C(2)
|
Try one small part at a time
- Start with E D C. Let your child find the three neighbouring keys, moving down.
- Try bars 1–2: E D C, twice. Hold each C for two beats.
- Try bar 3 slowly: four quick Cs, then four quick Ds. Count two notes to each beat.
- Add bar 4: E D C again. Join the parts only when your child is ready.
Letter names and notes on the staff
Letter names help you find the keys. The staff shows how pitches move higher or lower, and the note shapes show their lengths. You can use the letters to begin and return to the staff as the pattern becomes familiar.
You can print this page using your browser’s print command. Keep the beat-count table with the score if your child still needs help with note lengths.
Questions about this version
How many keys does the tune use?
Three: C, D and E, side by side. The hand stays in one place for the whole song.
Does my child need to play both hands?
This page teaches the melody with one hand. There is no left-hand part to learn at the same time.
Why are there different versions online?
The same tune can be written in different keys and rhythms, and some older editions print a different variant. This page uses the C-major melody and beat counts shown above.
Continue with guided practice
Hot Cross Buns is one of the familiar songs in Soitilo. Each playing task begins with Practice, where the accompaniment waits for your child, before Play with the accompaniment. Soitilo works on the screen, with a supported USB MIDI keyboard or with a piano heard through the microphone.
For parents: explore how the learning path works and what is included for free.
The public Android release comes first; iPhone and iPad follow.
soitilo.com