Are you looking for an easy version of Carol of the Bells Sheet Music to play on the piano? I’ve got you covered! This is a version that I have taught to many beginner and intermediate piano students.
I’ve always loved Carol of the Bells. For one thing, it sounds just like its name – beautiful Christmas bells ringing out in a melancholy tune!
This piece was written by Ukranian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914. He certainly penned a melody like no other! In the 100+ years since it was first written, Carol of the Bells has become a Christmas song known all over the world, featured in many movies, and performed by many famous musicians.
Carol of the Bells Piano Sheet Music PDF
Click on the photo or the button below to download your own copy of Carol of the Bells as an easy piano version! The link will take you to google drive, and from there you can either save it to your own drive or download it as a PDF.
Easy Version
The first version keeps everything nice and simple. The left hand is limited to single notes and a few intervals.
Intermediate Version
The intermediate version of carol of the bells adds in some extra things, like 3rds when the ostinato moves up, and some 16th notes on the chorus. It adds a bit more spice to the song!
More Sheet Music:
- O Come O Come Emmanuel Sheet Music
- O Holy Night Sheet Music
- Deck the Halls Sheet Music
- Joy to the World Sheet Music
- Come Thou Fount Sheet Music
- How Great Thou Art Sheet Music
Carol of the Bells Piano Notes/Key
I chose to arrange Carol of the Bells in the key of A minor. This makes it particularly easy for those who are new to piano, since A minor has no sharps or flats in it.
There will also be a few accidentals added into the arrangements (F# and G#).
The overall structure of the song is simple. It starts out with a repeated pattern in the right hand that continues for quite a few measures. (This is also known as an ostinato). This pattern will eventually move up to higher notes, and then commense into some flowing melodies and scales.
With the easy version, I have tried to keep the left hand extremely simple too. It has single notes or intervals throughout the entire song, so you won’t have to worry about moving around a bunch with both hands at the same time.
As you learn this song, don’t forget to pay attention to dynamics as well! I’ve included a few noted on the music, but here are some extra notes:
- The repeated pattern in the right hand should be softer than whatever the left and is doing. It is not the melody.
- When you start the section with intervals in the left hand, you can get slightly louder when the intervals go up, and then softer when they go back down.
- Measure 21 is the climax of the piece, so don’t hesitate to get bold and loud in the right hand there!
- When you get to the very end, make sure to get softer and slow down, just like bells fading out into the distance.
Chords
While the notes to Carol of the Bells might seem intimidating, it is actually made up of pretty simple chords.
While the Ostinato is repeating, there is not one particular chord happening there. But once we get to the “chorus” section there are very clearly defined chords.
The chorus starts at measure 21. Here are the chords starting there:
A minor (measure 21), C (measure 22), D minor (measure 23), A minor (measure 24)
During this section, there is a huge opportunity for creativity and improvisation. You can improv by playing literally any notes in the A minor scale (so any white keys!)
This is actually how me and my dad love to teach this piece—as a method for learning to improvise. While sticking to the original melody is fine, you can add different intervals in, change up the rhythm, or create new melodies as well!
Next, we have the portion of the words that say “Merry merry merry merry Christmas” (measures 25-28).
For this section the overall chord is E major. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding an E major inversion in the left hand after playing the base note.
Lyrics
Hark how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say
Throw cares away
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold
Ding-dong, ding-dong
That is the song
With joyful ring
All caroling
One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
From everywhere
Filling the air
Oh, how they pound
Raising their sound
O’er hill and dale
Telling their tale
Gaily they ring
While people sing songs of good cheer
Christmas is here
Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas
Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas
On on they send
On without end
Their joyful tone
To every home
Ding-dong, ding-dong
Ding-dong, ding-dong
Conclusion
Carol of the Bells is a super fun and easy song to learn on the piano! I hope you enjoy learning it with this free and easy sheet music! Check out Away in a Manger, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, The First Noel, or We Wish You a Merry Christmas next!
Further Reading:
- How to practice piano effectively
- Tips for memorizing piano chords
- Ultimate Guide to Diminished Chords
- How to Play the Eb chord
- How to play the Db chord
