Happy Birthday to You uses six notes — G, A, B, C, D, and F — all within one octave of C major. The right hand plays the melody by letter name; the left hand plays three simple chords: C, F, and G7. The complete song takes about 30 seconds and fits in two hand positions.
Notes — melody by letter name
Each box shows one note. Read left to right. The syllable of the lyric appears at the bottom of each box so you can line up the melody with the words. Red boxes (G↑) are the only note you play an octave higher than where you started — same finger, just one octave up.
Phrase 1 — "Happy Birthday to you"
Left hand: C → G7
Phrase 2 — "Happy Birthday to you"
Left hand: C → G7
Phrase 3 — "Happy Birthday dear friend"
Left hand: C → F → G7
Phrase 4 — "Happy Birthday to you"
Left hand: F → G7 → C
G↑ = play the G that is one octave higher than your starting G. On most keyboards this is the G above middle C (the G immediately to the right of middle C).
Left hand — three chords
Play each chord as a simple block (press all notes at the same time). Hold the chord until the chart shows a change.
| Chord | Notes to press | Fingers (LH) |
|---|---|---|
| C | C — E — G | 5 — 3 — 1 |
| F | F — A — C | 5 — 3 — 1 |
| G7 | G — B — F | 5 — 3 — 1 |
Finger 5 is the pinky, finger 1 is the thumb. All three chords use the same 5–3–1 shape — only the starting note changes. Practice each chord shape before playing the song.
How to practice
- Learn the chord shapes first. Sit at the piano and practice the C, F, and G7 chord shapes with your left hand until you can switch between them without looking down. This takes 5–10 minutes.
- Play the right-hand melody slowly. Follow the note chart phrase by phrase. Say each letter name aloud ("G, G, A, G…") as you play it. Keep a slow, even tempo.
- Add the left hand separately. Practice the left-hand chord changes along the chord labels in the chart, one phrase at a time. Hold each chord for the full phrase until the next change appears.
- Combine both hands. Put the hands together at a slow tempo. Count "1, 2, 3" aloud for each bar (the song is in 3/4 — three beats per bar). Do not rush.
- Speed up gradually. Once the hands are together cleanly at a slow speed, try it slightly faster. The song should feel comfortable before you increase the tempo.
About this song
The melody of Happy Birthday to You was composed by Mildred J. Hill, an American music educator and composer, and published in 1893 as "Good Morning to All." The birthday lyrics were written by her sister Patty Smith Hill. The song is now in the public domain in the United States following a 2016 federal court ruling in which Warner/Chappell Music's copyright claim was invalidated. The melody, notes, and lyrics on this page can be performed, shared, and reprinted without restriction.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first note of Happy Birthday on piano?
The first note is G — specifically the G above middle C (G4). You play it twice as a pickup before the first full bar. On a standard keyboard, middle C is labeled C4; the G to its right is G4, which is where the melody starts.
How many notes does Happy Birthday use?
In C major the melody uses six different note names: G, A, B, C, D, and F. You never need to press a black key. The song stays within a single octave range except for one note in phrase 3 (the high G), which is the same note played one octave higher.
What chords are in Happy Birthday?
The standard three-chord version uses C, F, and G7. These are the I, IV, and V7 chords of the C major scale. The chord progression is: C for the first two phrases, then C–F–G7 in phrase 3, and F–G7–C in the final phrase. Some arrangements also include an Am (A minor) chord, but beginners can use just the three chords above.
What key is Happy Birthday in?
The most common key for beginners is C major because it uses only the white keys. The original 1893 composition was not written in a fixed key — like most folk songs, it has been transposed into many keys over time. C major is standard for teaching and is what this page uses.
Is Happy Birthday in the public domain?
Yes, in the United States. In 2016 a federal court ruled that Warner/Chappell Music could not enforce its copyright claim to the song. The melody and lyrics are now in the public domain in the US and most other countries. The notes, melody, lyrics, and chord progressions on this page are not subject to any licensing requirement.