When the Saints Go Marching In
About this arrangement
It began as a spiritual, growing out of gospel songs with similar titles from 1896 and 1908, and was first recorded in 1923. New Orleans brass bands played it on the way back from funerals, and Louis Armstrong's 1938 recording turned it into a jazz standard.
Start with the left hand alone: four even chords a bar, like footsteps. Then the right hand: C E F G, held long. The tune starts before the first full bar, so count the pickup in. When both hands work, try swinging the rhythm a little.
Start with short loops.
Use the section list as a practice map. Start at 50% tempo, loop one section, then return to the full piece once the hand shape feels stable.
Choose Right or Left to focus on one hand. Wait for note checks the highlighted notes as you play them on the screen or a connected MIDI keyboard.
Before you practice.
01 Is When the Saints Go Marching In good for beginners?
Yes. The right hand uses five notes from C to G, and the left hand repeats simple chords.
02 What chords does When the Saints use?
In this edition: C, G and F, shown above the staff.
03 What key is this edition in?
C major, with no sharps or flats.