How to play Santa’s Beard on piano

Learn Santa’s Beard in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Ab – Db – Bbm – Eb7
Santa’s Beard sits in Ab major: Ab is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Ab is Ab, C and Eb; Db is Db, F and Ab; Bbm is Bb, Db and F; Eb7 is Eb, G, Bb and Db. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AbIDbIVBbmiiEb7V7
- AbAb · C · Eb
- DbDb · F · Ab
- BbmBb · Db · F
- Eb7Eb · G · Bb · Db
14 songs go round the same chords
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.
Jazz walkWalking bass · Blues and boogie-woogieLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Freeze-tag chords
Chord, chord-and, then freeze for the rest of the bar. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Freeze-tag chordsSyncopated chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 100 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: Bbm – Eb7 – Ab
The last chords are ii – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbmEb7Ab

What chords are in Santa’s Beard?

The loop is Ab – Db – Bbm – Eb7 (I – IV – ii – V7) in Ab major, and the song ends on Bbm – Eb7 – Ab.

What key is Santa’s Beard in?

Ab major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Santa’s Beard?

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

Is Santa’s Beard 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.