This is an interesting theme because it is the tune to Are You Sleeping? written in a minor key. Mahler wrote the theme in the key of d minor, but we are going to learn it in the key of a minor.
Learn to play the melody of this song with your right hand alone.
Use correct fingering (the numbers between the treble and bass staves) and you will have a smooth melody.
You can add the automatic chords by reading the letters above the treble staff.
The rhythm you add will be one in a 4/4 time. Begin ver-r-ry slowly with a metronome speed of 60.
When you can play it well at that speed, then try it faster.
In this article
about Mahler's Symphony #1, it mentions that one of the themes is based on Frere Jacques or as it is sometimes called Are You Sleeping? .