Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

How To Play O Holy Night

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

Christmas Midi Files

Printable PDF

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

Merry Christmas from LadyD!

It's been a wonderful year, sharing songs with you. Wishing you the best in taking your piano playing to the next level. Have a Merry Christmas!

Just in case you need some last minute music sheets, here are some links for free Christmas music downloads, for those who read music notes. For others, just looking at the key signature will help you determine the chord progressions. Those playing by ear will listen for the tonal note, that dominant key note they hear being sung throughout a song. In any case, fill your lives with music. It just makes you feel good!

Thanks to Pianoanne:

Still Still Still / Away in a Manger
Bring a Torch Jeannette Isabella / Good Christian Men Rejoice
Ding Dong Merrily on High / Deck the Halls
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / O Come O Come Emmanuel

And, Christmas lead sheets for teens

Thanks to Color In My Piano:

List of free Christmas music for students on the web

Many of you have asked for more posts on music theory instruction and video tutorials from me.
Thank you all for your many emails and encouraging comments.
Stay tuned for an exciting New Year ahead.

Blessings,

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

Good King Wenceslas

English: "King Wenceslas". Made by Hudson, Scott & Sons for Huntley & Palmers, 1913. Victoria and Albert Museum no. M.367-1983. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Historical Note

"The beloved Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas" tells the story of a real tenth-century king who was well known for his generosity and Christian spirit.

Vaclav Wenceslas was born in Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic. Born into the royal family, Wenceslas was raised by his grandmother to be a devout Christian. His father died when he was only thirteen years old, and five years later Wenceslas became king. Young King Wenceslas ruled the land fairly, gave aid to the poor, and sought to spread Christianity throughout Bohemia.

In 1853 John Mason Neale, an Anglican priest who lived in England, heard stories of the Bohemian king's kindness and wrote "Good King Wenceslas" to inspire children to be generous on Saint Stephen's Day (December 26). The music for the song comes from a spring carol that was first published in 1582.

The Christmas song portrays Wenceslas the way the people of his time knew him - a compassionate man who was especially kind to children, orphans, and slaves."

It's a very traditional Christmas song, here it is in the Key of F, played with 4/4 time signature. I like it because just about every word is associated with a chord change. Hope you like it, too.

L.H. / R.H.

F/ACF Good

E/ACF King

D/ADF Wen-

C/BbEG ces-

FF/ACF las

FF/ACF look'd

AF/C out

BbF/BbD on

AF/C the

BbF/A feast

G/BbCE of

F/ACF Ste-

F/ACF phen.

F/ACF When

E/ACF the

D/ADF snow

C/BbEG lay

FF/ACF round

FF/ACF a-

AF/C bout,

BbF/BbD deep

AF/C and

BbF/BbD crisp

G/BbCE and

F/ACF e-

F/ACF ven.

FF/FAC bright-

FF/DFBb ly

FF/CFA shown

C/CEG the

FF/CFA moon

C/CEG that

DD/ADF night,

BbF/BbD though

AF/C the

BbF/BbD frost

G/BbCE was

F/ACF cru-

F/ACF el

F/AC When

E/AC a

DF/AD poor

C/BbCE man

Bb/BbDF came

A/ACF in

G/BbDG sight

FF/FAC gath-

FF/DFBb ring

FF/CFA win-

C/BbEG ter

FF/ACF fu-

FF/DFBb

FF/ACF el.

Silent Night

I was reading a beautiful picture book about how Father Mohr and Franz Gruber went to work in the final hours of the evening and came to write one of the world's best-known and best-loved Christmas songs - "Silent Night." It also tells how this simple song quickly spread from country to country and from language to language, and how its message of hope and peace continues to be shared throughout the world - even in times of war and strife.

Here are the chords in the Key of Bb, with 6/8 time signature.

L.H. / R.H.

BbBb/DF Si-

BbBb/EbG

BbBb/DF lent

BbF/BbD night!

BbBb/DF Ho-

BbBb/EbG

BbBb/DF ly

BbF/BbD night!

FA/EbC All

FA/EbC is

FC/EbA calm,

BbBb/ DBb all

BbF/DBb is

BbBb/DF bright

EbBb/EbG Round

EbBb/EbG yon

EbG/GBb vir-

EbA/FA

EbBb/EbG gin

BbBb/DF mother

BbBb/DF and

BbF/BbD child!

Eb/BbG Ho-

EbBb/EbG ly

EbG/GBb in-

EbA/FA fant

EbBb/EbG so

BbBb/DF ten-

BbBb/EbG der

BbBb/DF and

BbF/BbD mild,

FA/EbC Sleep

FA/EbC in

FC/EbEB heav

FA/EbC en-

FC/EbA ly

BbBb/DBb peace

BbF/FD

F/DBb Sleep

F/DF

F/BbD in

FF/AF heav-

FF/AEb en-

FEb/AC ly

BbD/Bb peace.

Friday Freebie

If you're interested in free piano duet music, visit Natalie's blog, here

Perhaps you'd like your own free music copy of Sugar Plum Fairy

Improve Your Piano Playing
Access Free Piano Tutorials Here

Warmly,

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

How To Play: Christmas Time Is Here

Cover from the soundtrack album for A Charlie Brown Christmas (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I found an easy to intermediate chord chart for this very popular song, Christmas Time is Here, by The Vince Guaraldi Trio on the Charlie Brown Christmas at http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com and http://www.azchords.com

The song was written in 1966, with words by Lee Mendelson and music by Vince Guaraldi. Many artists have sung this song and a favorite that comes to mind is Diana Krall with her very laid-back style.

Fmaj7             Eb7 
Christmas time is here 
Fmaj7         Eb7  
Happiness and cheer 
Bm7        Bb7   Am7 
Fun for all that children call   
Ab7 Gm            C      F 
Their favorite time of the year  

 
Fmaj7             Eb7 
Snowflakes in the air 
Fmaj7       Eb7 
Carols everywhere 
Bm7          Bb7 Am7 
Olden times and  ancient rhymes  
Ab7 Gm              C  F 
Of   love and dreams to share 
 
 
Dbmaj7               Gbmaj7  
Sleigh bells in the air 
Dbmaj7      Gbmaj7 
Beauty everywhere 
F            Eb7 D7 
Yuletide by the  fireside 
Am    Gm7         F   C   
And joyful memories there 

  
Fmaj7             Eb7 
Christmas time is here 
Fmaj7            Eb7 
We'll be drawing near 
Bm7          Bb7  Am7 
Oh, that we could always see 
Ab7   Gm             C   F  
Such spirit through the year 
  

Jazzy Instrumental part...  
 

Dbmaj7               Gbmaj7  
Sleigh bells in the air 
Dbmaj7      Gbmaj7 
Beauty everywhere 
F            Eb7 D7 
Yuletide by the  fireside 
Am    Gm7         F   C   
And joyful memories there 

  
Fmaj7             Eb7 
Christmas time is here 
Fmaj7            Eb7 
We'll be drawing near 
Bm7          Bb7  Am7 
Oh, that we could always see 
Ab7   Gm             C   F  
Such spirit through the year

I have played this particular song at many Christmas parties and family gatherings because it is an all time favorite. I play it slowly in the Key of F with 3/4 time signature.

Intermediate to advanced chords:

Fmaj9             Eb13#11 
Christmas time is here 
Fmaj9         Eb13#11  
Happiness and cheer 
Bm7b5        Bbm7   Am7 
Fun for all that children call   
Abm7 Gm7            Gm7b5/C      F 
Their favorite time of the year  

 
Fmaj9             Eb13#11
Snowflakes in the air 
Fmaj9       Eb13#11 
Carols everywhere 
Bm7b5          Bbm7 Am7 
Olden times and  ancient rhymes  
Abm7 Gm7             Gm7b5/C  Fmaj9 
Of   love and dreams to share 
 
 
Dbmaj7               Gb13#11  
Sleigh bells in the air 
Dbmaj7      Gb13#11 
Beauty everywhere 
Am7           Eb9 D9 
Yuletide by the  fireside 
D7b9    Gm7       Db9   C13 C13b9   
And joyful memories there 

  
Fmaj9             Eb13#11 
Christmas time is here 
Fmaj9            Eb13#11 
We'll be drawing near 
Bm7b5          Bbm7  Am7 Abm7
Oh, that we could always see 
    Gm7              Bb/C  Fmaj9  
Such spirit through the year 
  

Jazzy Instrumental part...  
 

Dbmaj7               Gb13#11 
Sleigh bells in the air 
Dbmaj7      Gb13#11 
Beauty everywhere 
Am7            Eb7 D9 D7b9
Yuletide by the  fireside 
    Gm7         Db9   C13 C13b9   
And joyful memories there 

  
Fmaj9             Eb13#11 
Christmas time is here 
Fmaj9            Eb13#11 
We'll be drawing near 
Bm7b5         Bbm7  Am7 Abm7
Oh, that we could always see 
   Gm7             Bb/C   Fmaj9  
Such spirit through the year

Here's what the chords look like:

L.H. / R.H.

FA/EGE Christmas time is

EbG/DbFA here,

FA/EGE happiness and

EbG/DbFA cheer

BA/DA Fun for all that

AG/CG children call their

GF/BbD favorite time

C/GBbDbF of

FE/ACG year

Db/EbFC Sleigh-bells in the

GbFb/BbEbAbC air

Db/EbFC beauty every

GbFb/BbEbAbC where

AG/CEC Yuletide by the

DF#/CEC fireside and

GF/BbDBb joyful mem'

DbF/CbEbA ries

CE/BbDA there

FA/EGE Christmas time is

EbG/DbFA here

FA/EGE we'll be drawing

EbG/DbFA near

BA/DA Oh that we could

AG/CG always see such

GF/BbD spirit through

CD/BbDF the

FC/ACG year

Have fun with the song. If you need more melody notes to fill in, remember your scale notes and chord progressions in F. You can also order the sheet music.

Also, you may be interested in,

Christmas Keys1

10 Christmas Classics Arranged for Solo Piano

Do you have a favorite Christmas song?

Best,

"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

I have a great news for you. My friend, Yoke Wong, over at PianoMother.com, has a series of piano courses on sale for this Christmas. She has helped thousands of piano players improved their playing skills. In fact, one of her piano courses, "Definitive Piano Improvisation Course", also won the best tools for school in 2010.

I definitely recommend you checking out her piano courses, ranging from improvisation, sight reading, accompaniment, to playing your favorite Christmas and popular songs. You can now save 25% with coupon code "christmas2011".

Here are the complete courses

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

O Holy Night

Chord Breakdown

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

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