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Piano: Easy Christmas Songs For The Piano – 12 Simple Songs for Beginners
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Christmas is a memorable time of year, and you can make it even more so with some music. It can take on special significance if you have someone in the gathering who has just started playing the piano.
Encouragement…
For anyone starting to learn to play the piano, it can seem like a daunting experience. It can look quite intimidating as you sit down in front of the keys. Encouragement and praise when it is due are an important part of any new player’s development.
There will be some who will be too shy or withdrawn to play in front of others while they are learning. That is okay. They will grow into it. But for those that want to, Christmas is a great time for them to play in front of family and friends. So, let’s get started with our rundown of Easy Christmas Songs For The Piano…
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12 Simple Songs for Christmas
- 1. 1 1 – Silent Night
- 1. 2 2 – Away in a Manger
- 1. 3 3 – Jingle Bells
- 1. 4 4 – Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
- 1. 5 5 – The First Noel
- 1. 6 6 – The Little Drummer Boy
- 1. 7 7 – We Wish you a Merry Christmas
- 1. 8 8 – Walking in a Winter Wonderland
- 1. 9 9 – Frosty the Snowman
- 1. 10 10 – All I Want For Christmas is my Two Front Teeth
- 1. 11 11 – Jingle Bell Rock
- 1. 12 12 – O Come All Ye faithful
- 2 Want To Learn More About Piano?
- 3 Easy Christmas Songs For The Piano – Final Thoughts
12 Simple Songs for Christmas
I have composed a short list here in case that is what they want to do. Some are very easy, but some will take a bit more practice. But that is a good thing. They are some of the most popular Christmas songs for piano and will add to the occasion.
For most of these songs, you can download music sheets or hear them included in Christmas albums. At the end of the article is a piano book where the music to some of them is included.
1 – Silent Night
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Key: Various
Time signature: 3/4
A great place to start. A beautiful melody that allows the player to create some emotion in how it’s played. It is ¾ time, and that is a big advantage.
The new player can play the tune with the right hand. The chords on the left hand need only be played initially on the first beat of every bar. That allows plenty of time to create the chord and think about the placement of the hand.
Easy to play…
As it uses only white keys, it is not difficult to learn. It is a song that benefits from its Legato expression. That means applying sustain so each note blends with the next. If they can reach the pedals, then this might be a good introduction to that technique.
It’s a good Christmas song for piano beginners. It opens the door to begin to understand how you can use expression in playing.
2 – Away in a Manger
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Key: various
Time signature: 3/4
Another Christmas favorite that is quite easy to learn with only eight notes played by the right hand. Once again, a ¾ time allows the player to play the root chord with the left hand on the first beat of the bar while they are learning. Once they have mastered the song, however, the left hand can play more of an active part.
3 – Jingle Bells
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Key: C
Time signature: 4/4
Some seem to think this is not a Christmas song. But few conjure up the Christmas feeling like this does.
In some respects, it is quite easy to play. Some of the melody is very repetitive and played on the same note. The potential difficulties may come as it is quite quick, and there are several chord changes on the left hand. However, its time signature is 4/4, so timing will be quite easy.
Playing speed need not be a problem. The player can learn it at a slow pace and speed up when they know it. Or they can limit the amount of left hand they initially play. Always a favorite with everyone, it is one of the most well-known and sung of Christmas tunes.
4 – Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
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Key: C
Time signature: 4/4
One of the most popular sing-along songs for any Christmas gathering. It won’t be the easiest of songs for the player to get to grips with. They may have to start off playing an abbreviated version. Rhythmic changes can also add to the problems.
But in many ways, that is good for the starter. It will stretch them a bit and will improve their hand coordination if they stick with it.
5 – The First Noel
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duuGI7y8GtE[/embed]
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Key: Various but can be transcribed to C
Time Signature: ¾
Another song in ¾ time. To play this well, you will need to coordinate both hands. In that respect, it is a good song to choose. However, it can be played very simply while you are learning. You can do this by using the right hand for the melody and the left hand for single bass notes.
Most people will know this song. Furthermore, the older generation will appreciate it because it was recorded by Bing Crosby.
6 – The Little Drummer Boy
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Key: Various
Time signature 2/2
This traditional Czechoslovakian song with its words has become a staple tune for Christmas. It has been recorded and arranged by various people who have claimed they wrote it. The song came to real prominence in 1967 when it was released on an album of Christmas songs by The Ray Conniff Singers.
It is a simple enough tune that does rely a little on a snare drum rhythm. But it can still be played without it. The 2/2 timing makes it basic, but it can be an interesting challenge for a new player.
7 – We Wish you a Merry Christmas
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Key: Various (Original G)
Time signature: ¾
Might not be the easiest of Christmas songs for a beginner player, but there are different ways to play it. The timing allows the player to play a chord or bass note on the first beat of the bar.
As they progress, they can then expand that to include a full chord. The right hand is quite simple and can be played as single notes while you are learning. A great song to get everyone joining in.
8 – Walking in a Winter Wonderland
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Key: C is the best as it makes chord structures easier (Original G)
Time signature: 4/4
This is a song that sounds quite complicated. In some ways, it is if you want to play the full version. But this can be scaled down to basics as you are learning.
The 4/4 timing allows alternate notes with the left hand within the root chord. The left playing the tune is not so difficult. As the player progresses, then playing the full chords will be challenging. But that is what will make them better as players. A well-known song and a Christmas favorite, it is sure to bring smiles all around.
9 – Frosty the Snowman
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Key: C
Time signature: 4/4
This is a great song if there are going to be lots of young children around at Christmas. They will all love to get around the piano and sing along with this one.
This is a song with a slightly challenging right hand, melody hand. It will take some practice to get the timing and notes right. But once again, good practice. The player can make the left hand as easy or as complex as they can handle.
10 – All I Want For Christmas is my Two Front Teeth
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Key: C
Time signature: 4/4
Christmas is time for some fun, so this is a good inclusion. It was written by a school teacher who noticed nearly all of his class lacked front teeth. Over the years, it has been recorded by some notables, especially Nat King Cole. But it was possibly the Chipmunks version on an album released in 1999 that is the one that is most remembered.
Certainly a song to get a laugh, especially if the player is young and could do with a couple of teeth themselves. Not that difficult to learn to play. Making it one of the best Easy Christmas Songs For The Piano.
11 – Jingle Bell Rock
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Key: C
Time signature: 4/4
Written and recorded just as the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fifties were entering full swing in 1957. However, it was Brenda Lee that had big success with it first in 1964 and then again in 1967.
A straight four rhythm allows the player to tap out a simple left hand while they concentrate on the right hand and melody. As they progress, then they get a bit more inventive with the left hand. A great song for Christmas and one everyone can enjoy.
12 – O Come All Ye faithful
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Key: Various
Time signature: 4/4
To finish one of the most popular Christmas carols. Written in the 1700s, the composer has been the subject of much controversy. We’ll leave it at that.
A great song with some nice chords to learn. An easy right for the melody allows the player to try to develop the chord patterns for the left hand.
Want To Learn More About Piano?
Our music experts can help you on your way. Check out our detailed articles on How To Clean Your Piano Keys, Piano For All Review, Tips for Memorizing Music, What is Considered a String Instrument, What is a Metronome, some Amazing Facts About Mozart, as well as some Amazing Facts About JS Bach that you may not know?
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Easy Christmas Songs For The Piano – Final Thoughts
Twelve songs that a starter can learn to play, and everyone can join in because they are all so familiar. I have tried to not necessarily include just easy songs. But also one’s that will begin to stretch the player to achieve better things.
To end, here are some items that will help you get ready for a Christmas sing-along. If you are thinking about upgrading an old piano or even buying a new one, this is good value and great to learn on the Starfavor 61 Key Portable Electric Piano with seat.
Furthermore, some of the easy Christmas piano songs we have looked at you will find in A First Book of Christmas Songs for the Beginning Pianist: with Downloadable MP3s.
And if you are just thinking about learning to play piano, then Learn to Play Piano in Six Weeks or Less is a good place to start.
Well, that’s all for now. Hopefully, this article will help ensure a happy and musical holiday.
Until next time, let the music play.
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