Description
Simple enough to hum along with, its tune gives Folk Song, No. 9, the warm familiarity of a folk melody. It sits in the first part, For Younger Children, of Schumann's 1848 Album for the Young, Op. 68.
In D minor and 4/4, it is built from a simple melody and plain harmony, moving in long, song-like phrases. At 86 seconds with only 329 notes, it presents almost no technical difficulty. Its range, from G3 to D6, sits in the middle and upper register, so it plays without trouble on a 61-key keyboard.
Rated beginner level, it lets young players absorb basic musical shapes and phrasing naturally, a fitting introduction. With little technical difficulty in the way, attention can go to where each phrase is heading. Slow the playback, hum the melody along with it, decide where to breathe, and then play; the plain, folk-like way of singing will come naturally. Check in the hand colours which hand carries the melody and which the accompaniment, too.
A collection of 43 piano pieces Schumann gave to his daughter Marie for her seventh birthday — musically rich works enjoyable for children and adults alike.
Browse all songs in Album for the Young Op.68 →Sheet Music
Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project
About the Composer
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Robert Schumann was a leading German Romantic composer born in Zwickau. His poetic style reflects his deep literary sensibility, and his wife Clara Schumann was herself a renowned pianist and composer. His pedagogical piano collection Album for the Young remains beloved for its simple yet evocative miniatures for children and families. This site includes pieces from that collection and from Kinderszenen, Op. 15.
View all works by Schumann →