Learn How to Play Part of Your World on the Piano

This section may feature affiliate links, meaning I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through these links. Read more about my policy.

About This Piece

Disney’s Part of Your World from the Little Mermaid is a song from Disney's animated feature film The Little Mermaid (1989). It was written by lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken. It is sung by Ariel, the mermaid princess who longs to be part of the human world. She expresses her curiosity and desire for everything that is above the sea. The song is considered one of the most iconic Disney songs and has been covered by many artists.

You can watch the official video of the song with lyrics here.

Now let’s get started playing!

Song Structure

First, look at the song and notice any repeated patterns happening throughout the piece.

This song is played in the key of F Major and starts and ends with eighth notes ascending in a Penta scale-like (five-note scale) pattern.

Notice measure 1 starts on a different note than measure 2 and then repeats the same pattern in measures 3 and 4! The ending is the same.

Other measures that are the same:

1. Measures 5 and 7 are the same as measures 9 and 10 melodically and rhythmically.

2. Measures 12-14 are the same rhythmically and play ascending triplets.

3. Measures 16-17 are the same rhythmically as 12-14 and play descending triplets.

4. Measure 18 is the same rhythmically as 12-17.

Right Hand Finger Technique

Start with Ascending Penta Scales (Five note scales, playing all five fingers, going up the piano only) in the right hand.

Practice stepping up and down a piano key like the intro of the song.

Then take away one note (skip a finger).

The intro of this piano arrangement skips the 4th finger (ring finger) so I suggest starting with skipping this note first.

But measures 5-10 also play Penta scale Melodie’s skipping different notes using a different rhythm. So challenge yourself to skip other fingers/notes too!

Left Hand Finger Technique

The left hand plays simple triads (3-note chords) and intervals.

Practice stepping up and down quickly between the two chords played in the intro.

Next, practice the left-hand intervals in measures 5-11 until you are comfortable with those.

Do the same with measures 12-19.

Rhythm & Aural Skills

For beginner students, the quarter note triplet rhythms will be hard to count, so I use this as an opportunity to have students use aural skills.

Have them listen and play along with their piano instructor or along with the song.

You can even mix and match the rhythmic patterns used in Part of Your World. Have the teacher play a rhythmic pattern while the student listens. Then have the student play back what they heard.

It’s best to use rhythm syllable systems like Kodály (ti-ti, ta, etc.) to help them hear the difference in notes as they clap back the rhythms. Have them speak it as they clap it back to you.

Put It All Together

Once you have each of these melodic and rhythmic ideas down try playing hands together.

Don’t do it all at once. Start with one section at a time, the smaller, the better.

Then as you master each, move on to a new small section.

If you follow these practice suggestions, you’ll have the whole song down in no time.

Purchase the digital sheet music for Part of Your World pictured above by clicking the link below.

look inside

Part Of Your World Composed by Frank Rogers, Jacob Davis, Phillip Brian White, and Phillip White. Arranged by Laura Reynolds. Contemporary. Score. 3 pages. Laura Reynolds #6232415. Published by Laura Reynolds (A0.810392).

Or search for something else in the search bar below.

If you liked this arrangement and tips be sure to check out more of the piano arrangements I sell on my publisher's page.

You can find even more performance and practice tips in my other blog posts.

You Might Also Like

look inside

Under The Sea Composed by Alan Menken. Arranged by Laura Reynolds. Contemporary. Score. 4 pages. Laura Reynolds #6516953. Published by Laura Reynolds (A0.810394).

look inside

Tetris Theme | Korobeiniki Folk Song Early Beginner Level Composed by Traditional. Arranged by Laura Reynolds. Children, Film/TV, Folk, Traditional, Video Game. Score. 4 pages. Laura Reynolds #831120. Published by Laura Reynolds (A0.1235609).

look inside

Super Mario Bros. Main Theme Composed by Avner Hoderov, Ziv Sidi, and Alan Silvestri. Arranged by Laura Reynolds. Contemporary. Score. 2 pages. Laura Reynolds #5996725. Published by Laura Reynolds (A0.810376).