How to Play Star-Spangled Banner and Other Anthems on Piano
Read the story of eight national anthems – and how to learn them on piano with the flowkey app.
Written by Matthew James
National anthems are more than ceremonial tunes we sing at sports events or school assemblies. At their best, anthems are stirring expressions of collective identity, channeling a nation's spirit through music. As such, they make a fantastic addition to any pianist's repertoire.
Here are eight national anthems available to learn with flowkey, spanning a range of difficulty levels and musical styles. So dive in, pick a favorite, and start playing.
1. The Star-Spangled Banner
The world's most famous anthem
Few national anthems are as iconic as the United States' "The Star-Spangled Banner". The lyrics to America's anthem were written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key, after the distinguished lawyer, author and poet witnessed British ships attacking Baltimore's Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Inspired by the sight of the United States' flag flying proudly above the fort, he authored the poem Defence of Fort M'Henry. These words were later set to the music of John Stafford Smith's "To Anacreon in Heaven".
flowkey's arrangement of "The Star-Spangled Banner" captures this sense of grandeur. Focus on emphasizing the anthem's climactic moments, making sure that your dynamics rise to match the melody's soaring phrases. Be wary of letting those rich block chords drown out the topline, and note the arpeggiated chord in measure seven, which requires notes played in rapid succession.
2. Du gamla, du fria (Sweden)
This list's easiest piece
"Du gamla, du fria" (literally translated as 'you ancient, you free') is Sweden's unofficial national anthem, a gentle and graceful tune that reflects the country's natural beauty and diverse cultural heritage. Its lyrics were penned by Richard Dybeck in 1844 to the melody of "Kärestans Död", a traditional Scandinavian medieval ballad, but the tune didn't become widely accepted as Sweden's de facto anthem until the early 20th century.
This is the easiest anthem to learn in our list, so "Du gamla, du fria" shouldn't present much of a challenge to experienced pianists. As such, it's an excellent choice for beginners, and would make a useful practice aid for players seeking to develop their hand coordination. Once you've mastered the notes, try using a subtle rubato (slight variations in tempo that enhance the emotional effect of a piece) to complement the piece's emotive mood.
3. The Marcha Real (Spain)
One of the world's oldest anthems
Spain's national anthem, "Marcha Real" ("Royal March"), is unique in this list, in that it contains no official lyrics. This stately and ceremonial piece dates back to the 18th century and is one of the oldest national anthems in the world.
Like Sweden's "Du gamla, du fria", flowkey's arrangement of "Marcha Real" is for beginners, but possesses a much more lively, spirited mood than its Swedish counterpart. While the chordal accompaniment shouldn't give you many problems, the eighth-note lines in the melody might need to be taken a little slower at first. Use flowkey's speed adjustment feature to reduce the speed on your first playthroughs.
4. Il Canto degli Italiani (Italy)
An energetic anthem
Italy's national anthem, "Il Canto degli Italiani", is a rousing and energetic piece featuring lyrics written during the country's 19th-century unification. Penned by Goffredo Mameli, a patriotic young student, the text was later set to music by Italian composer Michele Novaro.
The swift tempo of flowkey's arrangement makes this one of the more challenging anthems to perform. The rhythms in the piece frequently feature pairs of rapid sixteenth notes, and articulating these with precision demands careful practice.
5. Land der Berge, Land am Strome (Austria)
Inspired by Mozart
With lyrics by Paula von Preradović and music adapted from a theme by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Austria's anthem is a standout for its classical pedigree.
flowkey's elegant arrangement demands a light and even touch, and its prideful major-key harmonies should be voiced with grace and delicacy. Pay particular attention to the 25th measure, where both hands join together in ascending sixteenth notes in one last surge of energy, before the piece concludes with a triumphant cadence.
6. O Canada (Canada)
Grand, impressive chords
By blending pride and poignancy, "O Canada" has become a firm favorite far beyond the borders of its home country. Originally composed in 1880 in French, the anthem gained official status in 1980, adopting a set of English lyrics written decades earlier by Robert Stanley Weir.
flowkey's arrangement is made up of harmonically rich chords spread across both hands, with the left voicing octaves in the bass note – watch out for the jump from C to A in measure 22. The tune's grand, impressive tone is enhanced by its moderate tempo, so resist the temptation to rush through your performance.
7. God Save The King (United Kingdom)
Available in three difficulty levels
One of the world's most recognizable songs, "God Save the King" (or Queen, depending on the monarch) has been the UK's royal anthem since the 18th century. It has also served as the national or royal anthem for several other countries. It's not known who authored the tune or the lyrics, but historians have suggested John Bull, Henry Carey, and Thomas Ravenscroft as possible candidates.
This one is available at three difficulty levels on flowkey. The beginner version focuses on single notes, while the intermediate arrangement spreads harmonies across three- and four-note chords. The advanced version enriches the harmonies even more with chords of up to six notes, which less experienced players will need to approach patiently to voice evenly.
8. La Marseillaise (France)
Elegance written for solo piano
Originally composed as a revolutionary battle song, "La Marseillaise" is one of the most dramatic and powerful national anthems in our list. Its melody moves quickly between moods, from sombre resolve to defiant triumph, mirroring France's tempestuous history. Be sure to try and capture these distinct tones in your playing.
The piece's most demanding passages arrive in the latter half. Moments such as measure 21 and measure 23, with their sixteenth note octaves,, should be practiced slowly at first, one hand at a time. Try starting off around 60bpm (a metronome is a helpful practice aid) and gradually increase the tempo as you begin to feel comfortable with the faster pace.
Keep learning with the flowkey app
All these national anthems – and more – are available to learn with the flowkey app. You'll have access to a whole library of beautiful piano arrangements spanning a range of genres, including, classical, pop, video game music, and more. Download the flowkey app and start learning today.
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