Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Merry Christmas Waltz on piano
By Bob Batson
- F major
- 3/4
- 135 BPM
- I–V7–I–IV loop
- 1955
- Easy
Learn Merry Christmas Waltz in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – C7 – F – Bb
Merry Christmas Waltz sits in F major: F is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; C7 is C, E, G and Bb; Bb is Bb, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIC7V7FIBbIV- FF · A · C
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- BbBb · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Oom-pah-pah
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: Waltz chords
A chord on each of the three beats: a simple waltz. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 135 BPM
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: F – Bbm – F
The last chords are I – iv – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FBbmF- BbmBb · Db · F
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Questions about Merry Christmas Waltz
What chords are in Merry Christmas Waltz?
The loop is F – C7 – F – Bb (I – V7 – I – IV) in F major, and the song ends on F – Bbm – F.
What key is Merry Christmas Waltz in?
F major, at about 135 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Merry Christmas Waltz?
Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Merry Christmas Waltz 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.