62 Easy Songs - Play by Letter with One Hand on Piano, Xylophone, Kalimba. Traditional Songs, Romantic Ballads

In this songbook, we've gathered a collection of English-language romantic songs and ballads from various countries, including England, Ireland, Scotland, the USA, and Australia. The book features 62 songs, all of which can be played on any keyboard instrument with 13 or more notes.

Versatility Across Instruments

These songs can be played on various keyboard instruments such as the piano and melodica, as well as non-keyboard instruments like the xylophone or kalimba, provided they have sufficient notes.

Beginner-Friendly Notation

While all the melodies are written in traditional musical notation, this book is also beginner-friendly. For those who aren't yet comfortable reading sheet music, we've included corresponding letter inside each note. The letters used in this book follow the common musical notation system, ranging from C to B for each octave.

QR Code Resources

Each song has 2 QR codes coming with it. 

The QR code with rounded corners leads to the song played on a tongue drum. 

The square QR code leads to Youtube. Scan  this code to hear the song played by professionals. While these recordings may not exactly match the versions notated in this book, they serve as useful guides for understanding the melody and rhythm.

Playing for Beginners

Piano

If you're new to music, you can play by following the lettered notes. Note stickers for piano keys are widely available on platforms like Amazon and can make learning much easier. For more experienced players, the sheet music is simplified for one-hand play, ensuring an easy and enjoyable experience.

Melodica

Similar to playing the piano, melodica players can use note stickers to follow the lettered notation. You can purchase these stickers online or create your own with paper labels.

Xylophone

Xylophone layouts and key counts vary, so refer to the manufacturer’s description for proper sticker placement. Many non-professional xylophones come with engraved note letters on the keys, making it easier to play. Even toy xylophones can work if they are tuned and have enough keys.

Kalimba

On most kalimbas, including 17-note models, the notes are either engraved on the keys or provided as stickers by the manufacturer. Typically, the longest key in the middle represents the main C, the lowest note.

Song Variations

This songbook contains 52 unique songs. Additionally, 10 songs are presented in two variations, differing in pitch, note lengths, or the number of notes, giving you even more options to explore.

We hope you enjoy the timeless charm of these traditional romantic songs and ballads. Whether you’re a complete beginner or more experienced, this collection offers a quick and enjoyable path to learning and playing these beautiful melodies.

Contents

Annie Laurie
Au Clair de la Lune
Aura Lee
Beautiful Brown Eyes
Bella Ciao
Blood on the Saddle
Bound for South Australia
Brennan on the Moor
Bridal Chorus
Bury Me Noton the Lone Prairie
Butcher Boy
Cliffs of Doneen
Come Back, Liza
Cotton Eyed Joe
Down by the Salley Gardens
Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes
Hi’ilawe
House of the Rising Sun
I Gave My Love a Cherry
Isn’t It Grand, Boys?
Italian Waltz
James Connoly
Lavender's Blue
Long, Long Ago
Man of Constant Sorrow
Molly Malone
My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
My Home’s in Montana
My Singing Bird
My Wild Irish Rose
Old Folks at Home
The Red River Valley
Scarborough Fair
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Skibbereen
Spancil Hill
Sweet Betsy from Pike
The Banks of Claudy
The Boys of Fairhill
The Curragh of Kildare
The Irish Rover
The Kerry Recruit
The Meeting of the Waters
The Northern Lights of Aberdeen
The Rocks of Bawn
The Snowy-Breasted Pearl
The Spanish Lady
Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree
Vive L’Amour
Wanderin’
Weile Walia
Wildwood Flower