Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play The Bells Of Christmas on piano
Written by Loreena McKennitt
- C major
- 3/4
- 68 BPM
- I–V–ii–IV loop
- 1994
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn The Bells Of Christmas in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – G – Dm – F
How it goes
The Bells Of Christmas sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D; Dm is D, F and A; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIGVDmiiFIV- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- DmD · F · A
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Bouncy-ball heartbeat
How it goes
A low note, then high bounces on every “and”, like a bouncing ball. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1& · 2& · 3& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 203 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Steady chords
How it goes
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 68 BPM
How it goes
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 – G7 – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FG7C- G7G · B · D · F
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Questions about The Bells Of Christmas
What chords are in The Bells Of Christmas?
The loop is C – G – Dm – F (I – V – ii – IV) in C major, and the song ends on F – G7 – C.
What key is The Bells Of Christmas in?
C major, at about 68 beats a minute in 3/4.
What does the left hand play in The Bells Of Christmas?
Bouncy-ball heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 1& · 2& · 3& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is The Bells Of Christmas 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.