| In this piano lesson we will learn to play piano | | | | bass notes.The notes from C to the next C is |
| Christmas music. We will use piano tab notation so | | | | called an octave. The keys are grouped this way |
| you don't need to read piano sheet music.Jingle | | | | on the whole keyboard.You also have these notes |
| Bells is one of the most popular secular Christmas | | | | to the left of the middle C. We can call these |
| songs in the world. The most played part of the | | | | notes the left octave.If you use the notes 1-7 in |
| song is the refrain which we will concentrate on in | | | | the left octave to play bass notes with your left |
| this piano lesson.Jingle bells, jingle bells | | | | hand we can notate the melody in the following |
| Jingle all the way! | | | | way:3/1 3 3 3/1 3 3The note to the right of the |
| O what fun it is to ride | | | | slash is the bass note. 3/1 means that as you |
| In a one-horse open sleighIn this piano lesson you | | | | play the first number 3 with your right hand you |
| will learn to play Jingle Bells without the use of | | | | simultaneously play number 1 in the left octave |
| piano sheet music. After this learn to play piano | | | | with your left hand.I guess you have noticed that |
| tutorial you will be able to play the melody with | | | | you only play bass notes together with some of |
| both hands!Instead of piano sheet music we will | | | | the melody notes.Let's continue this piano lesson |
| use piano tab notation which will tell you where to | | | | with the next line:Jingle all the way!3/1 5 1 2 3 |
| place your fingers as you play the melody.The | | | | 1What fingers should you use as you play?You |
| first thing we will do is to locate the note C.You | | | | can and maybe you already use your index |
| will find the note C on many places on the piano. | | | | fingers on both hands to play but it will be easier |
| It is the white key to the left of two black | | | | to find your notes if you cultivate the habit of |
| keys.Now it's time to locate the middle C. It is the | | | | using all your fingers.On your right hand you can |
| C right in the middle of the keyboard. On an | | | | use your thumb to play number 1 and your index |
| ordinary upright piano it is near the keyhole.In our | | | | finger to play number 2 and so on.The next piano |
| piano lesson we will number the keys. The middle | | | | tab looks like this:O what fun it is to ride4/4 4 4 |
| C in our piano tab notation is called 1.What does 1 | | | | 4 4/1 3 3If you want to use fingerings on your |
| mean?When you see the number 1 you are to | | | | left hand you place your little finger above key |
| press down the middle C once. The white key to | | | | number 1 and your thumb on number 5 and the |
| the right of C is called 2, the next 3 and so | | | | other fingers accordingly.It's time for the last |
| on.Let's play some piano tab notes:1 2 3 4 5 6 | | | | piano tab:In a one-horse open sleigh3 3 3/2 2 2 3 |
| 7Now you have played a C-major scale with the | | | | 2/5 5Actually it's not the last piano tab. Now you |
| actual notes C D E F G A B.Let's proceed in our | | | | are supposed to play the refrain from the |
| piano lesson and play the first notes of Jingle | | | | beginning and when you come to the last line play |
| Bells!Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells3 3 3 3 3 3This is the | | | | it in the following way:In a one-horse open sleigh3 |
| first part of the refrain. Easy?I guess that you | | | | 3 5/5 5 4/5 2 1/1I suggest that you learn this |
| hear that the third and sixt note has to be a bit | | | | Christmas song by heart. Memorize it one line at a |
| longer to create the melody Jingle Bells.So far we | | | | time and enjoy the Christmas spirit present when |
| have only used the right hand for playing the | | | | you play the song for your friends!Peter |
| melody. How can you use your left hand?Let's | | | | Edvinsson is a musician, composer and music |
| make this piece a little bit more difficult and also | | | | teacher. |
| more rewarding to play by using the left hand for | | | | |