By Betty Wagner 

Try out this free printable beginner piano lesson for learning to play the old favorite song, Auld Lang Syne, for New Year's Eve! This article includes both the lyrics and music.

You will find it surprisingly easy to learn how to play Auld Lang Syne! It is one of a special selection of tunes that can be played on a five-note piano scale called the Pentatonic Scale.

'Auld Lang Syne', meaning 'Times Gone By' or 'Days Gone By', is a traditional song sung on New Year's Eve in many countries. The words were written by the famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns.

Lyrics of Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And here's a hand, my trusty friend
And gie's a hand o' thine
We'll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Melody of Auld Lang Syne

Did you know that the tune of Auld Lang Syne can be played on just the five different black notes of your piano or keyboard? The black notes on your piano keyboard are arranged in two different groups: sets of two black notes and sets of three black notes.

From left to right, the names of these notes are:

-- In each set of two black notes: C# and D#

-- In each set of three black notes: F#, G# and A#.

To play Auld Lang Syne, begin on the C# black note that is just to the right of Middle C.

Here is how the melody goes:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
C# F# F# F# A# G# F# G#

and never brought to mind?
A# G# F# F# A# C# D#

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
D# C# A# A# F# G# F# G#

and days of auld lang syne?
A# G# F# D# D# C# F#

For auld lang syne, my dear,
D# C# A# A# F# G# F# G#

for auld lang syne,
D# C# A# A# C# D#

we'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
D# C# A# A# F# G# F# G#

for auld lang syne.
A# G# F# D# D# C# F#

This rather haunting melody is special because it is written on the five note pentatonic scale. Another pentatonic scale tune that can be played in a similar way, on the black notes of a piano keyboard, is 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot'.

Learning how to play the piano can be fun and easy! Impress your friends with this Music With Ease method of playing Auld Lang Syne on the pentatonic scale, this New Year's Eve!