Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Ring, Merry Bell on piano
Written by German Folk Carol
- F major
- 2/4
- 96 BPM
- I–IV–I–V7 loop
- Easy
Learn Ring, Merry Bell 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
Ring, Merry Bell 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: Little march
A chord, then a single low note: left, right, like a little march. Musicians call it lh chords (2/4) (left-hand chords), an easy pattern heard in 278 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Marching chords
Two chords per bar, left-right, like a happy little march. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 96 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: Bb – C – F
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 Ring, Merry Bell
What chords are in Ring, Merry Bell?
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 Ring, Merry Bell in?
F major, at about 96 beats a minute in 2/4.
What does the left hand play in Ring, Merry Bell?
Little march: lh chords (2/4), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Ring, Merry Bell 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.