{"id":238,"date":"2019-12-17T06:45:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-17T14:45:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-01-12T12:04:40","modified_gmt":"2023-01-12T20:04:40","slug":"carol-of-the-bells","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/carol-of-the-bells\/","title":{"rendered":"(Easy) &#8220;Carol of the Bells&#8221; Piano Sheet Music &#038; Tutorial"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Learn how to play \u201cCarol of the Bells\u201d with our free piano sheet music and tutorial. Download the sheet music here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<center><a class=\"join\" href=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/pdf\/Carol-of-the-Bells-Full-Score.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DOWNLOAD SHEET MUSIC<\/a><\/center>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCarol of the Bells\u201d is the MOST requested song I\u2019ve had this winter. It\u2019s not the easiest song ever, but we\u2019ve created a simplified arrangement for everyone to enjoy, including beginners. The sheet music includes chord symbols, so if you\u2019re not comfortable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-read-notes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reading notes<\/a> yet, knowing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-chords\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">chords<\/a> will help you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Follow along with the video tutorial to get started or keep reading for a section-by-section breakdown of the sheet music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And for more song tutorials such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/kaitlyn-learns-silent-night\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cSilent Night\u201d<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/deck-the-halls\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cDeck the Halls,\u201d<\/a> check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/song-tutorials\/christmas-songs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Christmas songs<\/a> category!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h3 style=\"font-size: 22px;\"><b>New Year, New Goals<\/b> \ud83e\udd73<\/h3><\/center><p>Make this your year of getting good at the piano. Sign up to get free lessons, tips, and piano news delivered to your inbox every week.<\/p><iframe class=\"email-form-include\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>&#8220;Carol of the Bells&#8221; Piano Sheet Music Breakdown<\/strong> \ud83d\udd14\ud83d\udcdd<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:28px\">The Main Theme (Section A)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The main theme is iconic\u2026and quite beautiful. As soon as you start playing it, people will know what\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pianote.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/carol-of-the-bells\/carol-of-the-bells-1.png\" alt=\"Carol Of The Bells main riff\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s very simple (only four notes) and it repeats A LOT. Getting bored? Time to layer in that left hand\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Adding Harmony (Section B)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The left hand starts simply, with just single notes in each measure in a walking-down pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Carol%20of%20the%20Bells%20Rewrite\/carol%20of%20the%20bells%20-%20theme%20harmonized.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, we\u2019ll add a note a third under to harmonize things a bit. This gives the song more depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Carol%20of%20the%20Bells%20Rewrite\/carol%20of%20the%20bells%20-%20harmonized%20for%20real.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Feel free to repeat this part of the video a few times if you want to copy my fingering. Having good fingering can make a big difference with this song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This next bit requires a little hand independence, so it can be challenging if you\u2019re a beginner. Take it slow. Counting out loud also helps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Carol%20of%20the%20Bells%20Rewrite\/Carol%20of%20the%20bells%20-%20b%20with%20counting.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, we get a bit that\u2019s a little crunchy. But it\u2019ll resolve when it goes into the next section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Carol%20of%20the%20Bells%20Rewrite\/carol%20of%20the%20bells%20-%20crunchy%20markup.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, take things slow. Your right hand stays the same but your left hand moves a little more, so you may want to practice the left hand on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\">\ud83d\udcdc <b><i>HISTORY BITE!<\/i><\/b> The \u201cCarol of the Bells\u201d melody has a fascinating, if at times dark history. For one, it wasn\u2019t originally about Christmas at all. The melody comes from a traditional Ukrainian folk song called \u201cShtshedryk.\u201d It was brought over to the U.S. via a performance by the Ukrainian National Chorus. The choir performed a version arranged by composer Mykola Leontovych, who was assassinated just the year before by the Bolshevik secret police, and the performance was an expression of nationalism. Read more about \u201cShtshedryk\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/slate.com\/news-and-politics\/2019\/12\/carol-bells-shchedryk-ukraine-leontovych.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:28px\">The Bridge (Section C)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I love this section. This part is what makes the song so exciting!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Carol%20of%20the%20Bells%20Rewrite\/carol%20of%20the%20bells%20-%20epic%20section.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It sounds epic and impressive. Now, this next part looks scary at first because there are so many sharps, but we\u2019ll break it down for you. It\u2019s essentially the first five notes of the E Major scale (E-F#-G#-A-B). Here\u2019s the fingering broken down:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Carol%20of%20the%20Bells%20Rewrite\/carol%20of%20the%20bells%20e%20scale%20fingering%20copy.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On your left hand, just play and hold fifths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Ending (Section D)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now back to the main theme!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Carol%20of%20the%20Bells%20Rewrite\/carol%20of%20the%20bells%20-%20octave%20ending.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s the same accompaniment as the beginning of the song. All we\u2019re doing is adding some extra \u201coomph\u201d by playing octaves with our left hand. It\u2019ll give this song that majestic feeling that makes it unforgettable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, we\u2019ll pull back into a simpler harmony with thirds before ending and holding onto a left hand octave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Carol%20of%20the%20Bells%20Rewrite\/carol%20of%20the%20bells%20-%20finale.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>&#8220;Carol of the Bells&#8221; Piano Sheet Music Dynamics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dynamics are, in my opinion, take you from being a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/from-good-to-great\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">good piano player to a great one<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re new to dynamics, what I\u2019m talking about are the changes in volume and expression in the piece. We mark the spots meant to be played softly with a <strong><em>p <\/em><\/strong>(piano) and the spots meant to be played loudly with an <strong><em>f <\/em><\/strong>(forte).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We also use crescendos <strong>(&lt;)<\/strong> and decrescendos <strong>(&gt;)<\/strong> to indicate growing louder or softer. Once you get comfortable playing the song in its basic form, try paying attention to these dynamic changes. You can learn more about dynamics and expression <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/what-are-dynamics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But for now, happy practicing and HAPPY HOLIDAYS! \ud83c\udf84<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe class=\"email-form-include-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weekly-email\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Download free piano sheet music for \u201cCarol of the Bells\u201d and master the song with a hands-on tutorial from Lisa Witt.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":1335,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1106,508],"tags":[1086],"class_list":["post-238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-seasonal","category-song-tutorials","tag-l3s"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=238"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10716,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238\/revisions\/10716"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1335"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}