Good King Wenceslas Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Good King Wenceslas in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: G – E7 – A7 – D7
How it goes
Good King Wenceslas sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; E7 is E, G#, B and D; A7 is A, C#, E and G; D7 is D, F#, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIE7VI7A7II7D7V7
- GG · B · D
- E7E · G# · B · D
- A7A · C# · E · G
- D7D · F# · A · C
19 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Jazz walk
How it goes
One note per beat, strolling like a jazz bassist. Musicians call it walking bass (walking bass), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
Jazz walkWalking bass · Blues and boogie-woogieLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Pausing chords
How it goes
Three steady chords, then beat 4 left empty to breathe. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Pausing chordsBlock chords · ClassicalRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 150 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: G – C7 – G
How it goes
The last chords are I – IV7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GC7G
- C7C · E · G · Bb

What chords are in Good King Wenceslas?

The loop is G – E7 – A7 – D7 (I – VI7 – II7 – V7) in G major, and the song ends on G – C7 – G.

What key is Good King Wenceslas in?

G major, at about 150 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Good King Wenceslas?

Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Good King Wenceslas 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.