| In this piano lesson we will learn to play piano | | | | The notes from C to the next C is called an |
| Christmas music. We will use piano tab notation so | | | | octave. The keys are grouped this way on the |
| you don't need to read piano sheet music. | | | | whole keyboard. |
| Jingle Bells is one of the most popular secular | | | | You also have these notes to the left of the |
| Christmas songs in the world. The most played | | | | middle C. We can call these notes the left octave. |
| part of the song is the refrain which we will | | | | If you use the notes 1-7 in the left octave to |
| concentrate on in this piano lesson. | | | | play bass notes with your left hand we can |
| Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way! O what | | | | notate the melody in the following way: |
| fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh | | | | 3/1 3 3 3/1 3 3 |
| In this piano lesson you will learn to play Jingle Bells | | | | The note to the right of the slash is the bass |
| without the use of piano sheet music. After this | | | | note. 3/1 means that as you play the first |
| learn to play piano tutorial you will be able to play | | | | number 3 with your right hand you simultaneously |
| the melody with both hands! | | | | play number 1 in the left octave with your left |
| Instead of piano sheet music we will use piano tab | | | | hand. |
| notation which will tell you where to place your | | | | I guess you have noticed that you only play bass |
| fingers as you play the melody. | | | | notes together with some of the melody notes. |
| The first thing we will do is to locate the note C. | | | | Let's continue this piano lesson with the next line: |
| You will find the note C on many places on the | | | | Jingle all the way! |
| piano. It is the white key to the left of two black | | | | 3/1 5 1 2 3/1 |
| keys. | | | | What fingers should you use as you play? |
| Now it's time to locate the middle C. It is the C | | | | You can and maybe you already use your index |
| right in the middle of the keyboard. On an | | | | fingers on both hands to play but it will be easier |
| ordinary upright piano it is near the keyhole. | | | | to find your notes if you cultivate the habit of |
| In our piano lesson we will number the keys. The | | | | using all your fingers. |
| middle C in our piano tab notation is called 1. | | | | On your right hand you can use your thumb to |
| What does 1 mean? | | | | play number 1 and your index finger to play |
| When you see the number 1 you are to press | | | | number 2 and so on. |
| down the middle C once. The white key to the | | | | The next piano tab looks like this: |
| right of C is called 2, the next 3 and so on. | | | | O what fun it is to ride |
| Let's play some piano tab notes: | | | | 4/4 4 4 4 4/1 3 3 |
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | | | | If you want to use fingerings on your left hand |
| Now you have played a C-major scale with the | | | | you place your little finger above key number 1 |
| actual notes C D E F G A B. | | | | and your thumb on number 5 and the other |
| Let's proceed in our piano lesson and play the first | | | | fingers accordingly. |
| notes of Jingle Bells! | | | | It's time for the last piano tab: |
| Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells | | | | In a one-horse open sleigh |
| 3 3 3 3 3 3 | | | | 3 3 3/2 2 2 3 2/5 5 |
| This is the first part of the refrain. Easy? | | | | Actually it's not the last piano tab. Now you are |
| I guess that you hear that the third and sixt note | | | | supposed to play the refrain from the beginning |
| has to be a bit longer to create the melody Jingle | | | | and when you come to the last line play it in the |
| Bells. | | | | following way: |
| So far we have only used the right hand for | | | | In a one-horse open sleigh |
| playing the melody. How can you use your left | | | | 3 3 5/5 5 4/5 2 1/1 |
| hand? | | | | I suggest that you learn this Christmas song by |
| Let's make this piece a little bit more difficult and | | | | heart. Memorize it one line at a time and enjoy |
| also more rewarding to play by using the left | | | | the Christmas spirit present when you play the |
| hand for bass notes. | | | | song for your friends! |