Effortless Piano Versions of Popular Christmas Carols
Christmas carols are an essential part of the holiday season, and learning to play them on the piano can be a delightful way to celebrate. Here's a look at ten popular Christmas carols and their unique origins, as well as their piano scores, which are accessible for learners of various skill levels.
Jingle Bells
Originally written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857 as "One Horse Open Sleigh," this cheerful and easy-to-play carol has a surprising origin as a drinking song. In 1965, astronauts aboard Gemini 6 played the first song from space, choosing none other than "Jingle Bells."
Silent Night
Composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber with lyrics by Joseph Mohr in Austria, "Silent Night" is a religious carol that has been translated into over 300 languages. The original manuscript was lost, leading to speculations about its composers, but an original manuscript was found in 1994, confirming Gruber as the composer.
Walking In The Air
Written by Howard Blake for the 1982 animated film "The Snowman," "Walking In The Air" is a more modern and slightly challenging carol that features a flowing, lyrical melody.
White Christmas
Written by Irving Berlin in 1942, "White Christmas" is a classic American popular song. Famously performed by Bing Crosby, the piano arrangements span beginner to advanced levels. The song holds a deeper meaning, as it was written after Berlin's three-week-old son died on Christmas Day.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Composed by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane in 1943 for the film Meet Me in St. Louis, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" features jazz-influenced harmonies. Piano versions range from simple to complex.
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
This traditional English carol, dating back to the 16th century, is one of the most beautiful Christmas piano pieces to learn and one of the best Christmas carols of all time. Its simple and repetitive melody makes it easy for beginners on piano.
O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)
Originally a German folk song unrelated to Christmas, "O Christmas Tree" became associated with the traditional Christmas tree by the middle of the 19th century. The modern lyrics were written in 1824 by Ernst Anschütz.
Joy To The World
Lyrics by Isaac Watts (1719) and music often attributed to Lowell Mason, based on themes by Georg Friedrich Händel, "Joy To The World" is a bright and triumphant carol. Arrangements range in difficulty, and string quartet arrangements exist as well.
Away In A Manger
Believed to have originated in the Evangelical Lutheran Sunday School collection Little Children's Book for Schools and Families, published in 1885, "Away In A Manger" is a gentle melody suitable for early piano learners.
Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer
Written by Johnny Marks in 1949, based on the story by Robert L. May, "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" is an incredibly popular song, sung by many kids all over the world. The song refers to Santa Claus's main reindeer Rudolph, who uses his red nose to light the way and fly the sleigh at night so Santa can deliver the presents.
Sheet music for these carols is widely available both in simplified versions for beginners and more advanced arrangements. Official scores can be found on sheet music websites like Sheet Music Direct, Free-scores.com, and platforms like Etsy for simplified or graded versions of popular carols. These sources provide PDFs and sometimes MP3 accompaniments.
[1] Sheet Music Direct: www.sheetmusicdirect.com [2] Free-scores.com: www.free-scores.com [3] Etsy: www.etsy.com
- The cheerful and easy-to-play carol "Jingle Bells," originally written as "One Horse Open Sleigh" in 1857 by James Lord Pierpont, has been enjoyed by beginner pianists for its simplicity, and even astronauts have played it in space.
- Although "Silent Night" was originally written in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber with lyrics by Joseph Mohr for a small church in Austria, it is now accessible to pianists of all skill levels, with sheet music available online.
- Famous for its origins as a song from the animated film "The Snowman," "Walking In The Air" presents a slight challenge for intermediate pianists due to its flowing, lyrical melody, making it an excellent choice for those seeking advancement in their piano skills.
