Nathaniel School of Music

How to Play Do-Re-Mi on Piano (The Sound of Music, Easy Tutorial)

To play Do-Re-Mi on piano, learn the melody in Bb major (Do = Bb) with the right hand, then accompany it in the left hand with Bb and F roots for the first four lines and Eb, C, F, D, G minor, Eb, F and Bb for the second half.

Video lesson by Jason Zac · Beginner · 21 min

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Key points

What this lesson teaches

This beginner-friendly lesson by Jason Zac of Nathaniel School of Music shows how to play Do-Re-Mi from The Sound of Music on piano in its original key of Bb major. You learn the right-hand melody line by line with suggested fingering, then build a left-hand accompaniment, starting with simple bass roots and moving on to full chords with inversions. It suits new pianists and singers who want to accompany themselves.

Step 1: Get to know the Bb major scale

The scale is Bb C D Eb F G A Bb, with two flats, Bb and Eb. In solfège, Do is Bb, Re is C, Mi is D, Fa is Eb, So is F, La is G and Ti is A. In Indian terms, Do is Sa, the first swara of the scale.

Thumbs are generally kept off black notes in melodies. A good home position is the thumb on C, with the index finger reaching just below it for Bb and crossing over it for D. Practise that little drill, then learn the Bb scale starting on the index finger, crossing fingers over the thumb and finishing on the ring finger.

Step 2: Learn the melody line by line

Almost the whole song is built from one rhythmic motif: a long-short figure made from a dotted note followed by a shorter note. Get that rhythm into your head and most of the tune falls into place.

  1. Do, a deer: start on Bb using your first three fingers. Return to Bb by sliding the index finger back, or use the thumb if you prefer.
  2. Re, a drop of golden sun: cross your thumb over to C and keep the same three-finger shape.
  3. Mi, a name I call myself: starts on D, the third note of the scale, with the same pattern moving up.
  4. Fa, a long long way to run: use your last three fingers and keep the hand shape steady.
  5. So, a needle pulling thread: starts on F, the fifth. Cross your index finger and land the pinky on thread.
  6. La, a note to follow So: slightly tricky. Tuck your thumb under the middle finger.
  7. Ti, a drink with jam and bread: the same idea climbs higher. Try ending on the ring finger.
  8. That will bring us back to Do: slide the hand back and finish on Bb with the index finger or thumb.

The fingering is a guideline, not a rule. Female singers can sing an octave higher than a male voice.

Step 3: Left hand with chord roots

Begin with the roots only, the way a bass player thinks. The first four lines use just Bb and F. The second half is the challenge:

You can hold each note, pulse it four times per bar, play octaves, or try toggled (scattered) octaves for a bass-like groove.

Step 4: Add the full chords

Next play the actual chords. Bb major is Bb D F. The F chord is played as F7, using only F and Eb to avoid a cluttered sound. In the second half, play Eb in an inversion, C7 or C major in root position, F in an inversion, D major in root position and G minor in an inversion, then Eb, F and Bb.

The C and D chords sit outside the key (they contain E natural and F#). These are secondary dominants, chords borrowed from outside the scale that resolve to chords inside it: C leads to F and D leads to G minor. A deeper analysis follows in Part 2.

How to practise

Learn the melody alone first. Then add left-hand roots, simply held or pulsed. Dropping notes such as the fifth keeps the bass from sounding muddy and makes chord changes easier. Only move on to full chords once the tune feels comfortable.

Questions about this lesson

What key is Do-Re-Mi in?

The original key taught here is Bb major, with two flats, Bb and Eb. Do is Bb, so the solfège syllables follow the Bb major scale.

What are the chords for Do-Re-Mi on piano?

The first four lines alternate Bb and F (played as F7). The second half uses Eb, C (or C7), F, D, G minor, Eb, F and Bb.

How should a beginner play the left hand?

Start with only the root of each chord, held or pulsed four times a bar, or played as octaves. Move to full chords once you are comfortable with the tune.

Why are there chords outside the key in Do-Re-Mi?

The song uses secondary dominants. C and D are chords from outside Bb major that resolve to F and G minor, which are inside the key.

Practise it

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