Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play When Christmas Comes Around on piano
By Matt Terry
- Bb major
- 4/4
- 72 BPM
- I–V–vi–V loop
- 2016
- Medium
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn When Christmas Comes Around in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Bb – F – Gm – F
How it goes
When Christmas Comes Around sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bb is Bb, D and F; F is F, A and C; Gm is G, Bb and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
BbIFVGmviFV- BbBb · D · F
- FF · A · C
- GmG · Bb · D
- 2
Left hand: Tiptoe seesaw
How it goes
A low note, then the higher note tiptoes on every “and”. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-5-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 207 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Lighthouse blink
How it goes
A note and the one above flash in turn, steady as a lighthouse. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 72 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
- 5
Ending: Gm – F – Bb
How it goes
The last chords are vi – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GmFBb
Play next
Questions about When Christmas Comes Around
What chords are in When Christmas Comes Around?
The loop is Bb – F – Gm – F (I – V – vi – V) in Bb major, and the song ends on Gm – F – Bb.
What key is When Christmas Comes Around in?
Bb major, at about 72 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in When Christmas Comes Around?
Tiptoe seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-5-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is When Christmas Comes Around easy to play on piano?
It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.