The xylophone is a classic musical instrument that has been enjoyed by many for centuries. Xylophone songs are easy to learn, making it a great choice for people of all ages and musical backgrounds. Whether you're a complete beginner or a professional musician, there are plenty of easy xylophone songs to get started with. Playing the xylophone involves striking its bars with mallets to produce sound. Beginners usually start by learning how to hold the mallets correctly and strike the bars at the right angle. To play a note, simply strike the corresponding bar with the correct mallet. With practice, players can develop rhythm, timing, and eventually play melodies, harmonies, and even more complex pieces.
1. Mary Had a Little Lamb
This popular nursery rhyme is an excellent song for beginners because it only uses a few notes. The main notes used are C, D, and E. Here are notes so that you can play it below.
D D E E E E D C
2. Tu scendi dalle stelle
Tu scendi dalle stelle is an easy song to play on the xylophone. The melody is simple and repetitive, making it accessible for beginners. The song is also commonly played during the holiday season, so it's a great option to add to your Christmas music repertoire.
3. Happy Birthday
This classic song is a bit more complex than the previous two but still easy enough for beginners. Happy Birthday is one of the easiest songs to play on the xylo.
C C D C F E
C C D C G F
4. Up On The Housetop
Up On The Housetop is an easy song to play on the xylophone. It consists of simple notes and rhythms that are easy to learn for beginners. This song and its notes are included in our ebook.
5. Row Row Row Your Boat
C C C D E E D E
F G C° C° C° G G G
6. Do Re Mi
Do Re Mi is a relatively easy song to play on the xylophone. It uses simple, repetitive melodies that are easy to remember and follow. The song also has a slow tempo, which allows beginners to play at a comfortable pace without feeling overwhelmed.
7. Fur Elise
E D E D E B D C A C E
8. La cucaracha (in Spanish “The cockroach”)
La Cucaracha is a relatively easy song to play on the xylophone. The song is typically played with a simple melody that beginners can easily learn. The song's rhythm and melody are also relatively simple, making it a good choice for those who are new to playing the xylophone.
C C C F A C C C F
9. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
C C G G A A G F
F E E D D C G F
10. Camptown Races
Camptown Races is an easy song to play on the xylophone. It has a simple melody and a repetitive structure that makes it accessible for beginners to learn and practice. To play Camptown Races on the xylophone, you can find the full song in our ebook.
G G E G A G E E D E
11. He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands is generally considered an easy song to play on the xylophone. It features a simple melody with repetitive notes and a slow tempo, making it accessible for beginners. With some practice and patience, beginners can easily learn to play this song on the xylophone.
12. Ode to Joy
E E F G G F E D C C D E
13. Jingle Bells
Although it is a Christmas song, it is still a fun song to play on the xylophone. The song uses simple notes and is easy to play.
E E E E E E E G C D
14. The First Noel
E D C D E F G A B C B
15. When The Saints Go Marching In
When The Saints Go Marching In is generally considered an easy song to play on the xylophone, especially for beginners. The song features a simple melody that is easy to memorize and repetitive patterns that make it easier to play. This one and many others are included in our eBook!
16. You Are My Sunshine
All Things Bright And Beautiful" is an easy song to play on the xylophone. It has a simple melody and repetitive structure that makes it a great choice for beginners.
G C D E E E D E C
17. London Bridge
G A G F E F G
18. Frère Jacques
Frère Jacques is a relatively easy song to play on the xylophone. It is a classic French nursery rhyme that uses only a few notes and is often one of the first songs that beginners learn on the instrument. With its simple melody and repetitive structure, it is a great song for practicing basic xylophone techniques such as hand placement, mallet control, and tempo.
19. Hot Cross Buns
E D C E D C
20. Brahms Lullaby
E E G E E G E G C B
Learn to Play the Xylophone
The Complete Xylophone Player takes you through the fundamentals of the xylophone, including how the instrument works, playing techniques, rhythm and practical exercises, before putting your skills into practice with songs using easy-to-follow letter notation.
Download The Complete Xylophone Player →
Xylophone (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are some tips for learning the xylophone?
Learn the note layout first, use beginner sheet music with finger numbers, and practice slowly with a steady rhythm. Focus on accuracy before speed, then gradually increase tempo as your confidence and control improve.
