Piano chords · Waltz garden

How to play A Cradle In Bethlehem on piano

Written by Al Bryan & Lawrence Stock

Tuning the piano…

Learn it

Learn A Cradle In Bethlehem in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: Cm – F7 – Bb – F
How it goes
A Cradle In Bethlehem sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Cm is C, Eb and G; F7 is F, A, C and Eb; Bb is Bb, D and F; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CmiiF7V7BbIFV
- CmC · Eb · G
- F7F · A · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F
- FF · A · C
2
Left hand: Oom-pah-pah
How it goes
One strong beat and two light ones: a dance in three. Musicians call it waltz oom-pah-pah (waltz), an easy pattern heard in 526 songs of the library.
Oom-pah-pahWaltz · WaltzLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Sleepy waltz chords
How it goes
A long chord, then a double on beat 3: a lazy, rocking waltz. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Sleepy waltz chordsSyncopated chords · WaltzRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 100 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: Bb – Cm – Bb
How it goes
The last chords are I – ii – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCmBb

What chords are in A Cradle In Bethlehem?

The loop is Cm – F7 – Bb – F (ii – V7 – I – V) in Bb major, and the song ends on Bb – Cm – Bb.

What key is A Cradle In Bethlehem in?

Bb major, at about 100 beats a minute in 3/4.

What does the left hand play in A Cradle In Bethlehem?

Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is A Cradle In Bethlehem easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.