Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen on piano
By 19th Century English Carol
- F major
- 4/4
- 140 BPM
- I–IV–I–V7 loop
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – Bb – F – C7
How it goes
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; Bb is Bb, D and F; C7 is C, E, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIBbIVFIC7V7- FF · A · C
- BbBb · D · F
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- 2
Left hand: Walking roots
How it goes
One low note on every beat, steady as walking feet. Musicians call it root bass · quarters (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Soft chords
How it goes
Soft chords on beats 1, 3 and 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 140 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 – C – F
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbCF- CC · E · G
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Questions about God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
What chords are in God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen?
The loop is F – Bb – F – C7 (I – IV – I – V7) in F major, and the song ends on Bb – C – F.
What key is God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen in?
F major, at about 140 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen?
Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen 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 2 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.