How To Play O Holy Night

traditional Christmas Eve supper in Poland - d...
Traditional Christmas Eve supper in Poland - dishes (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It's Christmas Eve and I've just returned home from our church service. I love singing Christmas songs and this one is so pretty to play on the piano with lots of arpeggio chords in the right hand. It's written in 6/8 time, played in the Key of C. You've heard so many talented folks sing this one.

O Holy Night


Intro: C

C                 F                   C
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining
C                      G              C
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth
C                     F              C
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
      F#˚/C   Em          B7            Em
'Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
  G                  C
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
   G                C
For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn
Am            Em       Dm             Am
Fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices
  C  G    C  F
O night divine
  C   G                C
O night when Christ was born
  G   G7    C F  D˚ C    G               C
O night, divine, O night when Christ was born

Verse 2:
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here came the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings, lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger
Behold, your king
Before Him lowly bend
Behold, your king before Him lowly bend

Verse 3:
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love, and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord, O praise His name forever
His power and glory ever more proclaim

Chord Breakdown

 The right hand has single eighth notes to play. Here's a pattern to follow when playing single bass notes in the left hand: (no particular order)

L.H. / R.H.

C = C/ E, C, G  - G, G, C

F = F/ F, C, A - A, A, C

G = G/ D, B, G - G, G, B

F˚/C = C/F#, A, C

Em = E/G, G, B - E, G, B

B7 = B/F#, A, B - D#, A, B

Em = E/E, B, G - G, G, B

Am = A/E, C, A - A, A, C

Dm = D/F, D, A - A, A, D

G7 = G/D, G, B - F, G, B

D˚ = D/F, Ab, B



LadyD Poinsettias

Here are some Poinsettia's in my yard. Red seems to be the color of the season.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

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

Most Popular Posts on LadyDpiano


LadyDpiano: Most Popular Posts
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 I've been reflecting on LadyDpiano's top blog posts over the years. It's always good to look at the stats and see what readers like the most. Maybe you'll discover some chord progressions to your favorite songs here. Thanks again for stopping by. Wishing you the best with piano practice!

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Right now Jermaine Griggs is having a huge sale on tons of inventory. You might want to check it out and pick up Christmas Keys1, too.

If you enjoyed this blog post, please consider following on Bloglovin' Keep in touch with me on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, YouTube and Pinterest, too!


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

3 Quick Tips About the Earliest Age

LadyDpiano: Beginner Piano Lessons
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Monday Mailbox


"Please advise me what you think is the earliest age at which a child may begin to study the piano."

Teacher Talk


No age is too early to begin piano lessons. I say the earlier the better! It's a green light to begin if the child is musical and eager to learn, and if the teacher is stimulating and imaginative enough.

But one must realize:

That expression at the piano during the preschool years is purely physical - the joy of swing, movement and sound; therefore all stiffness and conscious striving must be guarded against. After all, they're just kids and their tiny hands are not fully developed. Plus, their attention span is limited.
   
That music existed before notes - therefore the child must, for a time, be unhampered by the       printed page. Rote or ear-playing should be the rule until the piano is thoroughly explored, and the approach to it is confident and easy. Note reading should of course be taught, but not simultaneously with the playing of "pieces," however short. The length of this rote period, depends, naturally upon the child's ability.

That all music played should be short, often less than a four measure phrase, for even that much may be too complicated technically for the preschool child. Such motives as the following may be played all over the keyboard and in many keys.

Bass notes: left hand plays C and right hand plays F (two times)
Treble notes: left hand plays Bb, Ab, Gb and right hand plays Bb

The idea in each case is complete, yet simple enough to be expressed happily and musically. Any teacher can "make up" dozens of these short, amusing figures for the beginner.

There is so much excellent material for beginners available to teachers and parents. Here's a list of a few that I use and am familiar with. These are helpful for kindergarten and early elementary kids.

Beginner Books: Primer Level



10 Easy Lessons Piano Young Beginner



A Charlie Brown Christmas: Beginning Piano Solos

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

How To Play Away In A Manger


Away In A Manger: LadyDpiano
photo credit: phaewilk


Some time ago I posted several arrangements of the traditional Christmas carol, Away In A Manger in the Key of E, F, and G. You can find the charts, here. The song was written by Martin Luther, Eugene Clark and Carl Mueller. It's a familiar melody line and we all pretty much know the song.

There's a different melody that may not be as recognizable that I found online. Here's a nice arrangement by William J. Kirkpatrick in the Key of F, played in 3/4 time. It almost sounds like a children's lullaby.

Chord Chart


       F        Gm/Bb   Dm           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        Gm   F                    Bb  Gm7  C7
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay
 Gm Gm7     C    F9  F Bb13   G7 C7 F
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

     F     Gm/Bb Dm       F    Bb  Gm7 C7                    
The cattle are lowing the Baby awakes
 Gm  Bb    C    F9 F     Bb13 G7 Bb C
But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes
 F          Gm    F                   Bb  Gm7 C7
I love Thee Lord Jesus look down from the sky
 Gm  Gm7    C   F9  F      Bb13 G7  C7  F
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh

      F                  Gm/Bb  Dm            F                  Bb    Gm7 C7
Be near me Lord Jesus I ask Thee to stay
 Gm    Bb    C  F9 F     Bb13 G7 Bb C 
Close by me forever and love me I pray

      F       Gm    F                  Bb  Gm7 C7  
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care

 Gm  Gm7    C   F9  F    Bb13 G7   C7   F
And take us to heaven to live with thee there


Chord Breakdown

F = AF/CF

Gm/Bb = BbF/DG

Dm = D/AF

F = FA/FC

Bb = Bb/D

Gm7 = GD/FBb

C7 = CE/BbCE

Gm = BbD/G

Bb = D/FBb

C = EC/GC

F9 = FC/GA

F = FC/FA

Bb13 = BbF/DG

G7 = G/D

Bb = DF/BbF

C = CG/CE

F = FC/AF

Gm = FC/BbG

F = FC/AF

Bb = Bb/D

Gm7 = GD/FBb

C7 = GC/E

Gm = Bb/DG

Gm7 = GD/FBb

C = EC/GC

F9 = FC/GA

F = FC/FA

Bb13 = BbF/DG

G7 = G/D

C7 = CE/CE

F = FC/AF

With Instant Transposer Software, you can play songs in any key. Learn how...

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