The Ugly Duckling

by Frank Loesser

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Lyrics

There (Am)once was an (D)ug ly (G)duck ling with (Am)fea thers all (D)stub by and (G)brown,

(G)and the (Am)oth er (D7)birds in (G)so ma ny (E)words, said (Am)(quack!) Get (B)out of (Em)town.

(C)(quack!) Get out of, (G)(quack!) get out of, (Am)(quack!) get (Dsus)out (D7)of (G)town.

And he

(C)went with a (G)quack and a (Am)wad dle (D7)and a (G)quack, in a (Am7)flur ry of (Dsus)ei (D7)der (G)down.

(D)All through the (C)win ter time he (D)hid him self a (C)way,

a (D)shamed to show his (C)face,

a (D)fraid of what (A7)oth ers might (Aaug)say.

(D)All (C)through the (D)win ter (C)in his (D)lone ly (C)clump of (D)weed,

’til a (D)flock of swans spied him there, and (D7)ve ry soon a greed,

“You’re a ve ry fine (Am7)swan in (D7)deed!”

There

The Ugly Duckling by Frank Loesser — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “The Ugly Duckling” by Frank Loesser in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of G at 135 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

Tips for parents & teachers

  • Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
  • Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
  • Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
  • Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "The Ugly Duckling" good for a child learning piano?
Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "The Ugly Duckling"?
Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?
No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?
Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
What other Frank Loesser songs work for kids?
Try "ON A SLOW BOAT TO CHINA", "I'VE NEVER BEEN IN LOVE BEFORE", "Sit Down You're Rockin' The Boat (from 'Guys and Dolls')". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.