How to Play “A la nanita nana” by Traditional Spanish on Piano (3 Levels, Free)

Listen and play: 3 levels

About the piece

A la nanita nana is a classic Spanish lullaby and Christmas carol, often classified as a villancico. Known for its delicate and soothing melody, this piece is a staple of Spanish culture, frequently performed during the holiday season or sung to comfort young children.

The melody is gentle and flows with a distinctive, nostalgic character. It is an excellent piece for piano beginners because the melody is highly recognizable and provides a perfect opportunity to practice playing at a slow, expressive tempo.

Which level should you choose?

• Right hand only: the melody alone, playing the sweet main theme. Perfect to get comfortable with the notes.
• Both hands, simple: the left hand adds a single steady bass note to provide harmonic support. Ideal for working on hand coordination.
• Both hands, full chords: the left hand plays chords that follow the melody, creating a deeper and more emotional sound.

Start with the right hand to memorize the movement of the notes. Once you feel confident, add the left hand slowly to build the full sound of this lullaby.

Fingering and hand position

Place your right hand so your thumb starts around D4. The melody begins with two D notes, then moves upwards: D D E F G A A A. Because the melody spans over an octave, you will need to shift your hand position slightly as you play.

The melody flows smoothly through the notes: A# G A A A A# G D, followed by A G A A# C A# A G F G A F G F E F. Keep your fingers relaxed and curved to move easily between the notes, especially when playing the higher D5.

Practice tips

• Listen to the full version on the site to internalize the rhythm of the lullaby.
• Use the speed adjustment in the player to start at 50% or 75% while you find the notes.
• Focus on the first few measures until you can play them without pauses before connecting them to the rest of the melody.
• Keep your eyes on the falling notes on the screen rather than your hands so you can see the finger numbers appearing in real-time.

Learn it step by step

Start by learning the melody in the right hand alone. Take it one phrase at a time, ensuring each note is played clearly. Once you know the melody by heart, introduce the left hand with single notes at a very slow pace. Finally, increase the tempo gradually to match the original feel of the song.

Frequently asked questions