Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Carol Of The Bells on piano
By Carpenters
- G minor
- 3/4
- 160 BPM
- 1978
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Carol Of The Bells in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Gm7 – Gm7 – Eb – Gm
How it goes
Carol Of The Bells sits in G minor: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Gm7 is G, Bb, D and F; Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Gm is G, Bb and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Gm7i7Gm7i7EbVIGmi- Gm7G · Bb · D · F
- EbEb · G · Bb
- GmG · Bb · D
- 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.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 4
Both hands at 160 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: Eb – F – Gm
How it goes
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbFGm- FF · A · C
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Questions about Carol Of The Bells
What chords are in Carol Of The Bells?
The loop is Gm7 – Gm7 – Eb – Gm (i7 – VI – i – i7) in G minor, and the song ends on Eb – F – Gm.
What key is Carol Of The Bells in?
G minor, at about 160 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Carol Of The Bells?
Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Carol Of The Bells 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.
Can I hear the real melody of Carol Of The Bells?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the main tune of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.