Tin Whistle Sheet Music & Practice Guide
Learn the French folk song Au Claire de la Lune on a High D tin whistle with interactive sheet music and real-time fingering in G major.
Step 1: Play G-G-G-A-B-A
Step 2: Practice the G-B-A-A-G ending
Step 3: Combine and loop
Au Clair de la Lune is a traditional French folk song whose origins date back to the early 18th century, making it one of the oldest and most recognizable melodies in French musical culture. The song was first published in print around 1703 and is often attributed to the period of the French Enlightenment, when simple strophic songs were commonly shared through oral tradition. Its gentle, stepwise melody and narrow range made it especially suitable for communal singing and later for children’s music education. Historically, the lyrics contain subtle poetic and social references that were well understood at the time, though modern usage focuses mainly on its lullaby-like character. Au Clair de la Lune also holds a unique place in history as the melody of one of the earliest known sound recordings, captured in 1860 by Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville. Today, the tune is widely used in beginner instruction for instruments such as piano, recorder, and tin whistle, serving as a bridge between early French folk heritage and modern music learning.
It translates to "By the Light of the Moon".
Yes, it is a very common children's song in France.