Unveiling 'Au Clair de la Lune': History, Melody, and First Sounds

"Au clair de la lune" is a beloved traditional French children's song, often translated as "By the light of the moon" or "In the moonlight." The straightforward lyrics narrate the tale of a man named Lubin, who requests a quill from his neighbor Pierrot to write a letter because his candle has extinguished. Pierrot, comfortably in bed, suggests that Lubin ask the neighbor instead.

This song is celebrated for its memorable melody and is frequently employed as a lullaby.

It holds historical importance; it is recognised as the oldest song with a recorded sound. A recording from 1860, created by Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville, features the earliest known human voice. This snippet was captured using a device called a phonautograph, which could visually record sounds but could not playback audio. It wasn't until scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California, converted the paper symbols into sound that the world heard a female voice singing "Au Clair de la Lune."

It holds historical importance; it is recognised as the oldest song with a recorded sound.

Questions on Au Claire de la Lune

Question 1: What is a common English translation for "Au clair de la lune"?

Question 2: What is the name of the man who needs to write a letter in the song's lyrics?

Question 3: From whom does Lubin request a quill?

Question 4: Why does Lubin need a quill from his neighbor?

Question 5: What is the song frequently employed as?

Question 6: What year was the oldest known sound recording of "Au clair de la lune" created?

Question 7: What was the name of the device used to capture this early recording?

Question 8: Which laboratory converted the paper symbols into sound, allowing the world to hear the recording?

Understanding Musical Sequences and Efficient Finger Movement

Musical sequences can be rhythmic or melodic. The first two lines of 'Au Claire de la Lune' prominently feature both a rhythmic and melodic sequence in the right hand.

Notice that bars one to three and bars five to seven are melodically and rhythmically identical. However, bars four and eight introduce a change. Therefore, it is beneficial to practice these specific bars first.

Musical excerpt from Au Claire de la Lune

For piano players, developing efficient finger movement is crucial, especially when navigating repeated notes. Consider the transition on line two, specifically the note G3:

• Bar 3: Depress the G3 (as shown in the image with Finger 5) using your fifth (little) finger, holding the key for its full value.

• Bar 4: When you depress the G3 again, transition to your first (thumb) finger (as shown in the image with Finger 1).

This finger substitution, or 'finger swap,' is an essential skill for pianists, allowing for legato connections and greater technical fluidity.

Understanding Efficient Finger Movement. Line 3

Sheet music featuring finger numbers for both hands, with green numbers indicating right-hand fingering and blue numbers indicating left-hand fingering. The piece is in G major, as suggested by the key signature with one sharp.

On line three, there are a number of finger substitutions, or 'finger swaps,' similar to those discussed in 'The Grand Old Duke of York.' The green numbers in the right hand and the blue numbers in the left hand indicate positions where this technique will provide a smoother, more legato sound, characteristic of a lullaby.

While the finger pattern is quite straightforward in bar three of this line, I would like to draw your attention to the contrary motion in this section. Notice how the right hand, using the notes A4, G4, and F-sharp 4, moves in the opposite direction to the F-sharp 3, G3, and A3 in the left hand. This movement is a popular compositional device, often used to create interest and a particularly pleasing sonic effect through the interplay of the melodic lines.

To practice this skill further, consider playing the G major scale with hands in contrary motion. Begin with your thumbs together on G4, playing the ascending scale in the right hand with the descending scale in the left hand. Execute this exercise very slowly. While the finger pattern will be symmetrical (a mirror image), ensure its accuracy, paying close attention to the placement of the sharps in each hand. Achieving this correctly is very impressive, and even more so when mastered to be played without looking!

Understanding Efficient Finger Movement. Line 4

Piano sheet music with annotated fingerings and a stretch indication, guiding hand placement for efficient playing.

The following section continues to develop essential piano techniques. The green numbers in the right hand indicate familiar finger substitutions, ensuring a smooth melodic line.

In the left hand, the blue numbers highlight a necessary hand stretch, utilising the thumb's flexibility to cover a wider span of keys.

Further into the left-hand part, the purple numbers introduce a beneficial backward cross, a more advanced technique often found in higher levels, which facilitates a seamless transition.

This leads into the final measures where the thumb's use in a hand compression movement creates the popular tonic-dominant-tonic cadence. This particular arrangement also creatively employs the 8vb ottava sign, allowing for the inclusion of G2 before it would typically be introduced in a student's reading repertoire.

Download the Workbook

Au Claire de la Lune - The G Major Workbook.pdf

Download PDF • 817KB