- Play a complete song using only B, A, and G
- Practice quarter notes and half notes
- Develop musical phrasing and breath control
About This Song
Origin: American Traditional (1830)
Difficulty: Absolute Beginner
Notes Used: B, A, G
Time Signature: 4/4
Key: G Major
Fingering Review
Full Song
This classic American children's song tells the story of Mary and her lamb. Play it smoothly with clear articulation.
Lyrics:
Mary had a little lamb,
Little lamb, little lamb,
Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow.
Practice Tips
- Steady beat: Count "1-2-3-4" throughout to keep even rhythm
- Breath control: Take breaths at the end of each phrase (commas in lyrics)
- Smooth transitions: Move fingers smoothly between notes
- Clear articulation: Tongue each note clearly with "too"
Practice Exercises
Practice the first line. Notice the ascending B-A-G-A, then three B notes.
Three A notes followed by two B notes. Pay attention to the rhythm.
Similar to the opening - practice for smooth repetition.
The ending phrase with a long final G note.
Historical Context
"Mary Had a Little Lamb" was written by Sarah Josepha Hale in 1830, based on a true incident in which a young girl named Mary Sawyer brought her pet lamb to school. The poem was first published in 1830 and later set to music by Lowell Mason. It has become one of the most recognizable children's songs in American culture.
Musical Challenges
This song is slightly more challenging than "Hot Cross Buns" because:
- It has more notes and a longer melody
- It requires better breath control for longer phrases
- The rhythm includes both quarter and half notes
- It has repeated patterns that must stay consistent
Next Steps
Once you can play this song confidently, try:
- Playing it faster or slower to practice tempo control
- Adding expression - make some parts louder or softer
- Playing from memory without looking at the music
- Moving on to "Merrily We Roll Along"