Piano chords · Waltz garden
How to play Once Upon A December on piano
Artist unknown
- B minor
- 3/4
- 120 BPM
- 1997
- Easy
Learn Once Upon A December in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Em – Bm – Em – F#
Once Upon A December sits in B minor: B is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Em is E, G and B; Bm is B, D and F#; F# is F#, A# and C#. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EmivBmiEmivF#V- EmE · G · B
- BmB · D · F#
- F#F# · A# · C#
- 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 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: G – A – Bm
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GABm- GG · B · D
- AA · C# · E
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Questions about Once Upon A December
What chords are in Once Upon A December?
The loop is Em – Bm – Em – F# (iv – i – iv – V) in B minor, and the song ends on G – A – Bm.
What key is Once Upon A December in?
B minor, at about 120 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in Once Upon A December?
Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Once Upon A December 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.