{"id":6700,"date":"2021-12-24T07:03:10","date_gmt":"2021-12-24T15:03:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=6700"},"modified":"2023-01-12T14:08:48","modified_gmt":"2023-01-12T22:08:48","slug":"silent-night-piano-sheet-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/silent-night-piano-sheet-music\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Play “Silent Night” \ud83c\udf1d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019re so excited to share this tutorial and piano sheet music for “Silent Night” with you! \u201cSilent Night\u201d is a holiday classic. It\u2019s beautiful, instantly recognizable, and it\u2019s awesome for beginners because it sounds authentic even at a slow tempo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2019, we showed you how a beginner can learn this song in time for a Christmas recital<\/a>. This year, we\u2019ll provide you with a simple yet beautiful arrangement of the song in G Major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That means you only have one sharp (F#) to contend with! We’ll be in \u00be time, so we\u2019ll be counting in a 1-2-3, 1-2-3 waltz rhythm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
DOWNLOAD FREE SHEET MUSIC<\/a><\/center>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

“Silent Night” Piano Sheet Music Breakdown<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Right Hand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The right hand is busier than the left, so let\u2019s tackle it first. You can follow my fingering in the video, and don\u2019t hesitate to write down fingering numbers on your sheet music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fingering can get tricky in measures 17 to 24. Here\u2019s what I use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Silent<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Silent<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For the parts where there is harmonization going on in the right hand, use fingering like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Silent<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pro tip: lift your wrist when you play the D-F eighth note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also play just the top notes (the melody) and it’ll still sound good \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re familiar with the melody, use that to help you figure out the rhythm. But for the analytical people out there, this is how the counting I use in the video breaks down:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Silent<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf84 Learn to Play Winter Classics \u2744\ufe0f<\/b><\/h4><\/center>

Be the accompanist to your caroling group! Explore our free tutorials and sheet music for holiday classics like “Let It Snow,”<\/a> “Carol of the Bells,”<\/a> “O Holy Night,”<\/a> and more.<\/p>

HOLIDAY SONG TUTORIALS<\/a>

<\/p><\/center><\/span>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Left Hand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The left hand is super simple. Most of it is holding down \u201cshell chords\u201d or fifths. Shell chords are notes that are a fifth apart and form the outer \u201cshell\u201d of a triad<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a bit of a jump in measures 19 and 20 and again in measures 21-22. This section may require some extra practice. So, watch ahead, prepare, and look before you leap!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make up your own chords!<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You may have noticed that we include chord symbols with the sheet music. This is to help you form your own left-hand accompaniment if you wish!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t know how to read chord symbols yet, check out our lesson here<\/a>. In the video, I demonstrate a nice, simple accompaniment you can do with just fifths and octaves. For example, for these chords, you can use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

G<\/strong>
G-D-G<\/p>\n\n\n\n

D<\/strong>
D-A-D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

C<\/strong>
C-G-C<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Em<\/strong>
E-B-E<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Don’t forget to add dynamics!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, don\u2019t forget to add expressive elements to your performance! Find places to play softer, play louder, or to gradually go from one dynamic to another. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And have fun with this \ud83d\ude42 It\u2019s a simple, classic song, but \u201cSilent Night\u201d has tons of opportunities to be creative!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happy holidays! \u26c4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n