The Great Morning Sun!

Morning Sun

I must confess, I am an early riser. How about you? One winter's morning I grabbed
my camera and took this photo of the morning sun.

You can purchase the song at Morning Sun

I wanted to share a different song with you that I found online.
The song is called Morning Sun but it is a completely different one
and it's arranged by Engjengneer23. I'm not sure if the site still exists
but if so, you would find the music at www.mypianotranscriptions.com

The song chart looks something like this and I've added notes for you.
You want to be familiar with chords.
Be sure and visit the Chords Collection

Cmaj7 = CGE/GBCE
F = FCA/B
Cmaj7
F
Dm (add 9) = DAF/AE
F = FCA/C
Dm (add9)
G7 = GDB/AC
Cmaj7 = C/GBC
F
Cmaj7
F
Dm (add 9) = D/AE
F
Dm (add 9)
G7 sus = G/FC
G7
Am (add 9)
F
Am (add 9)
F
Dm
F
Dm
F
Cmaj7
F add 9
Cmaj7
F add 9
Dm
F add 9
Dm
F/G = G/AF
G7 = G/FD
Am (add 9)
F
Am (add 9)
F
Dm
F
Dm
F
Cmaj7 = C/GBC
F add 9 = F/BB
Cmaj7
F add 9 = F/BB
Dm (add 9) = D/AE
F add 9
Dm (add 9) = D/AE
G7 sus = G/CC
Am (add 9)
G/F = F/DB
F = F/AC
Am (add 9)
G/F = F/DB
F = F/GC
Dm
F = F/FA
Dm
F
Cmaj7
F
Cmaj7
F = FC/B
G7 = GF/F
Cmaj7 = CC/BE

It's a beautiful, simple song that has tons of broken chords.
Use the sustain pedal often for flowing measures.

Improve Your Piano Playing
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If you are interested in how to save time learning all the essential chords in all 12 keys,
Purchase Chords 101 and 102

A new year is just around the corner!

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Silent Night Arrangements

Image by littlenelly (rare but there) via Flickr

I love this gentle song, Silent Night, written by Franz Gruber.
Here are the chords arr. by Larry Minsky.

C6/9, G13, C6/9, F6/9, C6/9 F6/9, C6/9

G13, C6/9, C6, G13, Abmaj7, Dbmaj7, Cmaj7.

While playing the melody notes with your r.h. in the Key of C,
l.h. plays:

EGAD, FABE, EGAD, ACDG...

The cool ending goes like this:

Abmaj7 = AbEb/GC

Dbmaj7 = DbAb/FC

Cmaj7 = CG/EGB

Chords: Silent Night

G D7 G
Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm, all is bright,

C G C G
'round yon virgin, mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild,

D7 G D7 G
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

G D7 G
Silent Night, Holy Night, Shepherds quake, At the sight.

C G C G
Glories stream from Heaven above, Heavenly Hosts sing Alleluia,

D7 G G D7 G
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!

G D7 G
Silent night, Holy night, Son of God, Love's pure light,

C G C G
radiant beams from Thy Holy face, with the dawn of re-deeming grace,

D7 G D7 G
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

++++++++++++++

Bb         F7 F      Bb
Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm, all is bright,

Eb Bb Eb    Bb
'round yon virgin, mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild,

F7        Bb            F7            Bb
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

++++++++++++

C      G      G7    C     C7
Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm, all is bright,

F         C F        C
'round yon virgin, mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild,

G    G7 C            G7             C
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

G D7 G
Silent Night, Holy Night, Shepherds quake, At the sight.

C G C G
Glories stream from Heaven above, Heavenly Hosts sing Alleluia,

D7 G G D7 G
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!

G D7 G
Silent night, Holy night, Son of God, Love's pure light,

C G C G
radiant beams from Thy Holy face, with the dawn of re-deeming grace,

D7 G D7 G
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

++++++++++++

Bb    Dm Cm7(sus4) F7 Bb Cm7 Dm/F F7 Bb Gm/Bb
Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm, all is bright,

Eb Eb/D Cm7    Dm    Gm Bb/F Eb Eb/D Cm7 Dm Gm Bb/F
'round yon virgin, mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild,

Cm Cm7 F7    G m C9 Bb/F   Bb6/F Cm(sus4) Cm F7    Bb
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

+++++++++++++

[A] Silent night, Holy Night,
[E7] All is calm, [A] All is bright.
[D] Round yon virgin, [A] Mother and child.
[D] Holy Infant so [A] tender and mild,
[E7] Sleep in heavenly [A] peace,
Sleep in [E7] Heavenly [A] peace.

[A] Silent night, Holy night
[E7] Shepherds quake [A] at the sight.
[D] Glories stream from [A] Heaven afar,
[D] Heavenly hosts sing [A] alleluia.
[E7] Christ the Savior is [A] born;
Christ the [E7] Savior is [A] born.

[A] Silent night, Holy night,
[E7] Son of God [A] loves pure light,
[D] Radiant beams from thy [A] holy face,
[D] with the dawn of re [A] deeming grace,
[E7] Jesus Lord at thy [A] birth,
Jesus [E7] Lord at thy [A] birth.

Take a look at this video to see if it could help with your practice, back pocket band video

Are you staying focused, pacing yourself and filling your home with music?

Keep playing,

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

How To Play The First Noel for Your Audience

The First Noel is a Traditional French Carol. I love this arrangement by Larry Minsky!

Here are the piano chords I am playing in the video. Hope you like it!

"The First Noel"

Intro: Cmaj7  F6/9  Cmaj7  F6/9


Verse  1:
    Cmaj7   F6/9       Cmaj7   F6/9
The first Noel, the angel did say
       Cmaj7          F6/9
Was to certain poor shepherds
   Cmaj7       G13    C6/9
In fields as they lay 
   Cmaj7          F6/9
In fields where they
    Cmaj7            F6/9
Lay keeping their sheep
     Cmaj7           F6/9 
On a cold winter's night
     Cmaj7 G13  C6/9  G13(-9) C7(+5)
That was so deep 

Chorus:

Fmaj7  F#7 B7(-5) Em7  A7(+5,+9) D13(+11) F/G  G13 C6/9  
Noel, Noel,            Noel, Noel
F#m7(-5) F7(+11) Eb7(+11) Dm11 Em11 G13(-9) Abmaj7 Dbmaj7 Cmaj7          
Born is the King of Israel 
 
Outro:

F6/9  Cmaj7  F6/9  C6/9

The First Noel

D           A       G          D
The first Noel, the angels did say

  D          A            G              D
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay

   D            A        G             D
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep

     D            A          G      D
On a cold winters night that was so deep

  D      A     G     D
Noel, No-el, Noel, Noel

D           A       G    D
Born is the King of Is-rael

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night

And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went

Key of E

INTRO:
E   E/G#   A    B

    E       E/G#    A          E
The First Noel, the Angels did say
       C#m          E/G#         A              B
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
   E            E/G#           A             E
In fields where they lay,  lay keeping their sheep
     C#m           E/G#       A      B
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
E     E/G#  A       E   E/Eb
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
C#m         E/G#    A B  E
Born is the King of Israel!

E    E/G#   A    B

     E      E/G#   A     E
They looked up and saw a star
        C#m     E/G#   A        B
Shining in the East beyond them far
    E      E/G#     A          E
And to the earth it gave great light
    C#m      E/G#        A       B
And so it continued both day and night.
E     E/G#  A       E   E/Eb
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
C#m         E/G#    A B  E
Born is the King of Israel!

E     E/G#  A       E   E/Eb
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
C#m         E/G#    A B  E  Abm  A   B
Born is the King of Israellllll

            E                 E/G#      
The King is born! the King is born!
            A     B
The King is born!

E     E/G#  A       E   E/Eb
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
C#m         E/G#    A B  
Born is the King of Israel!

E     E/G#  A       E   E/Eb
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noellllll
C#m         E/G#    A B  E  E/G#  A B E
Born is the King of Israel!

Key of C: For the Beginner

The first Noel the angel did say, [C] [Am] [G] [F] [C] [F] [C]
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; [F] [C] [F] [C] [G] [C] [G7] [C]
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep [C] [Am] [G] [F] [C] [F] [C]
On a cold winters night that was so deep [F] [C] [F] [C] [G] [C] [G7] [C]
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel [C] [Em] [F] [C] [G]
Born is the King of Israel. [F] [G] [F] [C] [F] [G] [C] [G7] [C]

Take a look at these specials,
Advanced Gospel

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Jingle Bells Arrangements

Jingle Bells, a favorite of my grandchildren and kindergarten music class, J. Pierpont wrote the words and music.

Jingle Bells: Key of C

C                                             F
Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh,
                   G7                   C
O'er the fields we go, laughing all the way,
C                                      F
Bells on bobtails ring, making spirits bright,
                  G7                               C
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight, oh

Chorus:
C                                          C7
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
F              C               D7             G7
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh, hey,
C                                          C7
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
F              C               G7             C
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

Jingle Bells: Key of F
Arr. Peter Edvinsson

F                                             Bb
Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh,
                   C7                   F
O'er the fields we go, laughing all the way,
F                                      Bb
Bells on bobtails ring, making spirits bright,
                  C7                               F    C7
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight, oh

Chorus:
F
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Bb              F               G7             C7
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh, hey,
F
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Bb              C               C7             F
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

Jingle Bells: Key of G

www.sheetmusicdigital.com

G                                             C
Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh,
Am                   D7                   G
O'er the fields we go, laughing all the way,
G                                      C
Bells on bobtails ring, making spirits bright,
Am                  G              D7              G
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight, oh

Chorus:
G
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
C              G               A7             D7
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh, hey,
G
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
C              G               D7             G
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

Jingle Bells: Key of Bb

Arr. Michael Sweeney

Chorus:
Bb
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Eb              Bb               C7             F7
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh, hey,
Bb     Gm      Bb
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Eb              Bb               F7             Bb
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

Gospel Musician Ministry-Jason White

Have fun,

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Angels We Have Heard on High

Image by Old Shoe Woman via Flickr

Angels We Have Heard on High is a
French Carol translated by James Chadwick.

 

 D     F#m      A        D
Angels we have heard on high,
 D   A   D       A         D
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
 Bm F#m  Bm       A     D
And the mountains in reply
 D A D         A       D
Echoing their joyous strains.

chorus:
 D B Em A D G A   D  A  D  G   D  A
Glo-----------ria in excelsis Deo,
 D B Em A D G A   D  A  D  G   D  A  D
Glo-----------ria in excelsis De----o.

Angels: Key of E

Back in 2005 I found a lead sheet that I used that started in E and

then modulates to F.

This one is arranged by Dan Galbraith.

Play it with a driving acoustic feel.

 E             D2
Angels we have heard on high,
 E                        D2
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
 E                   D2
And the mountains in reply
 E                   A2
Echoing their joyous strains.

chorus:
 E F#m7 E/G# A2    E          E/F#m7(b5)
Glo-----------ria in excelsis Deo,
 E F#m7 E/G# A2    E E/F#m E E/F#m7(b5) A/E D E D2 E
Glo-----------ria in excelsis De----o.

 F    F/Gm7(b5) F/Dm7 F/Cm7(4)
Angels we have heard on high,
 Dm7    C#/F+   C/F    Bb  Gm7(b5)
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
 F    F/Gm7(b5)  F/Dm7 F/Cm7(4)
And the mountains in reply
 Dm7     C#/F+  C/F   Bb2 Gm7(b5)
Echoing their joyous strains.

chorus:
 F Gm7 A/F2 Bb2    F  Bb C/F C/Gm
Glo-----------ria in excelsis Deo,
 F Gm7 A/F2 Bb2 Eb D/Bb C/F Eb F Eb F Eb F
Glo-----------ria in excelsis De----o.

You ask,

What is the history behind the Christmas carol 'Angels We Have Heard on High'?

"My carol songbook says that it was the first Christmas hymn of the church, also called the "Angel's Hymn". Telesphorus, Bishop of Rome, A.D. 129, ordained that "In the Holy Night of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour, all shall solemnly sing the 'Angel's Hymn.'"
http://wiki.answers.com

Angels: Key of F

Angels We Have Heard on High
French carol.  Public domain.

F            C7         F
Angels we have heard on high,
                C7       F
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
                  C7   F
And the mountains in reply
                 C7   F
Echoing their joyous strains.

chorus:
 F D7 Gm C7 F Bb C7 F C7 F Bb F C
Glo-----------ria in excelsis Deo,
 F D7 Gm C7 F Bb C7 F C7 F Bb F C7
Glo-----------ria in excelsis De----o.

Peter Edvinsson

Angels: Key of G

G              D7       G        
Angels we have heard on high      
     D7  G           D7   G       
Sweetly singing o'er the plains   
    D7   G          
And the mountains in reply,       
   D7 G          D7    G          
Echoing their joyous strains      
                                  
Chorus:

     E7  Am  D7   G  C  D7        
Glor----------------------ri--a   
G  D7 G  C  G  D7                 
In excelsis de o                  
    E7  Am  D7   G  C  D7         
Glor----------------------ri--a   
G  D7 G  C  G  D7 G               
In excelsis de----o

http://www.azchords.com

Award-winning piano course for Christmas

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The offer will expire on December 11, 2011. Don't wait any longer, take action now and take your piano playing to the next level.

All the best,

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Away in the Manger

Image by bluebirdsandteapots via Flickr

If you're looking for some free Christmas Sheet music, be sure and stop by http://www.musicandyou.com You'll find Away In a Manger (Simply Chords) for piano music and also Away In a Manger (Intermediate) music and mp3.

There is a new learning software that will help you play Christmas songs in all all 12 keys . You can even slow the tempo down and repeat loops. You will want to use the Song Robot

One of the sweetest songs to sing around this time of year, is Away in the Manger.
Here it is in the Key of E.

Intro: / A - - / E - - / B7 - - / E - - /

E (2) A E

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

B7 (2) E (2)

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;

E (2) A E

The stars in the sky looked down where He lay;

A E B7 E (2)

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

E (2) A E

The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes.

B7 (2) E (2)

But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;

E A E

I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,

A E B7 E (2)

And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

E (2) A E

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay

B7 (2) E (2)

Close by me forever and love me I pray

E (2) A E

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care

A E B7 E (hold)

And take us to heaven to live with Thee there

Now, let's play the same song for easy piano in the Key of F.

F (2) Bb F

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

C7 (2) F (2)

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;

F (2) Bb F

The stars in the sky looked down where He lay;

C7 F Dm Bb C7 F (2)

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

E (2) A E

The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes.

B7 (2) E (2)

But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;

E A E

I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,

A E B7 E (2)

And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

E (2) A E

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay

B7 (2) E (2)

Close by me forever and love me I pray

E (2) A E

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care

A E B7 E (hold)

And take us to heaven to live with Thee there

More Free Christmas Music

I received this arrangement in the Key of G from www.sheetmusicdigital.com

G (2) C G

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

D (2) G (2) A7 D

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;

G (2) C G

The stars in the sky looked down where He lay;

Am7 D7 G (2)

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

D(2) A7 D

The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes.

A7 D7

But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;

G C G

I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,

Am7 D7 G(2)

And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Let's try playing the song in the Key of A.

A (2) D A

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

E A B7 E

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;

A (2) D A

The stars in the sky looked down where He lay;

E A D6 A E7 A

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

Here's a nice arrangement by William Kirkpatrick that I like to play:

F (2) Gm/Bb F Bb Gm7 C7

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

Gm Bb C F9 F Bb13 G7 Bb C

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;

F (2) Gm F Bb Gm7 C7

The stars in the sky looked down where He lay;

Gm Gm7 C F9 F Bb13 G7 C7 F(2)

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

Have a wonderful weekend,

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Joy To The World

Photo Credit: darrenhester

This inspiring Christmas Carol, Joy To The World, was written by Isaac Watts in 1719, the founder of English hymn writing. It was first published in 1719. The music is usually attributed to George Frederick Handel. I've changed some of the original chord charts here.

Key of C - Joy To The World

C                 Dm   C   G7 C
Joy to the world!  The Lord is come;
     F        G        C
Let earth receive her King.
C
Let every heart prepare Him room,
     C
And heav'n and nature sing,
     G7
And heav'n and nature sing,
     C      F   C     Dm   C  G7  C
And heav'n and heav'n and nature sing.
http://guitar.about.com/library/Christmas_Tab/bl-joy-to-the-world.htm

Key of D - Joy To The World (Mariah Carey)

Verse: 
Joy to the world! 
[D] 
The Lord is come! 
[Em D A7 D] 
Let earth receive her King! 
[G A D] 
Let every heart prepare Him room, 
[D G D D G D] 
And heav'n and nature sing, 
[D] 
and heav'n and nature sing, 
[A A7] 
and heav'n and heav'n 
[D G D] 
and nature sing! 
[Em D A7 D] 
Joy to the world! 
[D] 
the Savior reigns; 
[Em D A7 D] 
Let men their songs employ; 
[G A D] 
While field and floods, rocks, hills, and plains. 
[D] 
Repeat the sounding joy, 
[D] 
Repeat the sounding joy, 
[A A7] 
Repeat, repeat 
[D G D] 
the sounding joy.
[Em D A7 D] 
He rules the world 
[D] 
with truth and grace 
[Em D A7 D] 
And makes the nations prove 
[G A D] 
The glories of His righteousness, 
[D G D D G D] 
And wonders of His love, 
[D] 
And wonders of His love, 
[A A7] 
And wonders, wonders 
[D GD] 
of His love.[Em D A7 D]

http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/m/mariah_carey/joy_to_the_world_crd.htm

Key of D - Joy To The World

D         G   D     Em  D    A7  D

Joy to the world!  The Lord is come;

     G        A        D

Let earth receive her King.

 D         D        D        D

Let every heart prepare Him room,

     D

And heav'n and nature sing,

     A

And heav'n and nature sing,

     D      G   D     Em   D  A7  D  

And heav'n and heav'n and nature sing.

Joy to the World (Three Dog Night)


                        C C# D
Jeremiah was a bullfrog

                           C C# D
A very good friend of mine.

            D7              G       Bb
I never understood a single word he said

      D          Em7              D
But I helped him to drink his wine

       G7              Em7         D
Yes he always had some mighty fine wine


Chorus

        D   A      D
Singing Joy to the World

A                   D
To all the boys and girls

           D7            G         Bb
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea

D      A7      D    C C# D
Joy to you and me.

http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/t/three_dog_night/joy_to_the_world_crd.htm

Key of A - Joy To The World

A                        E7 A
Joy to the world!  The Lord is come;
     D        E        A
Let earth receive her King.
      D    A             D   A
Let every heart prepare Him room,

And heav'n and nature sing,
     E7
And heav'n and nature sing,
     A                    E7 A
And heav'n and heav'n and nature sing.

If you're interested in Guitar Licks, Tricks, And Riffs Across 4 Different Styles...
Funk, R&B, Gospel, Jazz... take a look at

Advanced Guitar 301

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King