The Star Spangled Banner

The national anthem of the United States since 1931, The Star-Spangled Banner is traditionally played at the beginning of public gatherings in the United States. It is notoriously difficult for nonprofessionals to sing because its range, an octave and a half, is so wide.

The lyrics come from Defence of Fort McHenry, a poem written in 1814 by the amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. The poem was set to the tune of a popular British drinking song written earlier by John Stafford Smith.

Tutorials

Version 1 Level 5

• At Tempo, then Slow

Sheetmusic

• In Book (Patriotic Melodies) Jane purchased a new edition

Version 2 Level 4

• At Tempo

• Slow

• In Book (National Anthems of the World, Tenth Edition ) Jane purchased a used edition