Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play Old Christmas Card on piano
Written by Vaughn Horton
- C major
- 2/2
- 120 BPM
- 1947
- Easy
Learn Old Christmas Card in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G7 – C – Cdim – C
Old Christmas Card sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G7 is G, B, D and F; C is C, E and G; Cdim is C, Eb and Gb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
G7V7CICdimi°CI- G7G · B · D · F
- CC · E · G
- CdimC · Eb · Gb
- 2
Left hand: Jazz walk
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.
- 3
Right hand: Steady chords
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 120 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 – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
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Questions about Old Christmas Card
What chords are in Old Christmas Card?
The loop is G7 – C – Cdim – C (V7 – I – io – I) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Old Christmas Card in?
C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Old Christmas Card?
Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Old Christmas Card 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.