Right hand
Thumb on middle C, second finger on D, third finger on E. That is the whole song: the hand never moves.
Hot Cross Buns - Piano Sheet Music (Easy Version)
Traditional 18th century C major 4/4 Beginner 0:19 Both hands
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Hot Cross Buns is the simplest piece on this site: the whole tune uses three notes, E, D and C, played by the first three fingers of the right hand without ever moving. If you have never played the piano before, start here. The tune is only four bars long, so this page plays it twice. The left hand holds a C below middle C, with one G in bars 3 and 7, and you can leave it out entirely at first. Press Listen, then switch to Practice: the next key lights up green and nothing moves until you press it. Turn on note names to see C D E or Do Ré Mi on the score and on the keys.
How to play it
How to play Hot Cross Buns on the piano
Left hand
The left hand holds C below middle C for four beats in most bars; in bars 3 and 7 it plays C for two beats and G for two. If two hands are too much at first, learn the right hand alone and add the left hand later.
Tricky passages
Bars 3 and 7, "one a penny, two a penny": eight quick notes, four C's then four D's, each half a beat long. Keep them even and light, and say the words as you play.
Fingering
E D C is 3-2-1 every time. The quick notes in bars 3 and 7 are 1-1-1-1, 2-2-2-2.
Notes
Hot Cross Buns piano notes
The right-hand melody of this version, bar by bar, in letter names and in Do Ré Mi. Sharps are written #, flats b; a note held across a bar line is written once.
Melody: E D C E D C C C C C D D D D E D C E D C E D C C …
| Bar | Notes | Do Ré Mi |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E D C | Mi Ré Do |
| 2 | E D C | Mi Ré Do |
| 3 | C C C C D D D D | Do Do Do Do Ré Ré Ré Ré |
| 4 | E D C | Mi Ré Do |
| 5 | E D C | Mi Ré Do |
| 6 | E D C | Mi Ré Do |
| 7 | C C C C D D D D | Do Do Do Do Ré Ré Ré Ré |
| 8 | E D C | Mi Ré Do |
About the piece
About Hot Cross Buns
Hot Cross Buns began as a street cry in London: in the 18th century sellers sang it on Good Friday to sell the spiced buns, marked with a cross, that are eaten that day. An almanac mentions the cry in 1733, and a newspaper printed words close to today's rhyme in 1767.
The cry became a nursery rhyme - "one a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns" - and, because its tune needs only three notes, a classic of school music lessons: children often learn it as their very first tune on a new instrument.
This transcription: Traditional English street cry and nursery rhyme, as sung today: three notes in C major, played twice; left hand by GOONS Studio. Transcribed by GOONS Studio from the original work, which is in the public domain.
For kids: Hot Cross Buns by colors, on a rainbow piano that lights the next key and waits.
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In the studio
Practise with your MIDI keyboard, record your take, export MIDI
The full piano studio opens this score with your MIDI keyboard and sustain pedal, records what you play and exports it as a MIDI file. It comes with the GOONS Studio subscription - start with the 7-day free trial, no card required.
Questions
Hot Cross Buns on piano: frequently asked
What are the notes of Hot Cross Buns on piano?
E D C, E D C, C C C C D D D D, E D C - in Do Ré Mi, Mi Ré Do, Mi Ré Do, Do Do Do Do Ré Ré Ré Ré, Mi Ré Do. The thumb is on middle C.
What is the easiest song to play on piano?
Hot Cross Buns is a good candidate: three white keys, one finger each, and a tune you can learn in a few minutes. Mary Had a Little Lamb, with four notes, is a natural next step.
Why is Hot Cross Buns played twice on this page?
The tune is only four bars long. Playing it twice gives you a second go straight away and more practice on the quick notes of bars 3 and 7.
What are hot cross buns?
Sweet spiced buns marked with a cross on top, eaten on Good Friday. The song began as the cry of the street sellers who sold them in London.