Q&A for How to Play "Jingle Bells" on the Piano

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I start learning piano?
    Cuong Nguyen
    Music Teacher
    Cuong Nguyen is a Music Teacher and the Co-Owner of both OC Musica and the Huntington Beach School of Music. He has been teaching music for over 45 years and has extensive knowledge in music teaching pedagogy. He and his team of over 20 professional instructors specialize in teaching piano, voice, guitar, violin, brass, and woodwind instruments. Cuong is the 1984 winner of the Yoshiro Irino Memorial Prize in Composition. He received his Bachelor of Music with Honors from the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
    Music Teacher
    Expert Answer
    Learning depends on a number of factors. When do you start, and how old are you? What's your objective, and what's your goal in learning? I started when I was 12 and a half. I was very motivated. I liked to work things out for myself and to learn to be able to read music and do it to learn new pieces as independently as possible and as quickly as possible. So, that's one way to learn. Some people actually learn by listening to them by ear. They put it on YouTube, and then they figured out how to play one or two paces. So, there are all kinds of different objectives and motivations for learning. My personal approach is to teach by example. I would play a piece and let a student play it on their own. Supporting them along the way. Also, learning how to read a piece is very important.
  • Question
    What are the rest of the lyrics of Jingle Bells?
    Community Answer
    Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh. O'er the fields we go. Laughing all the way (Ha-Ha-Ha). Bells on bobtails rings, making spirits rise. What fun it is to dance and sing a sleighing song tonight Oh! Jingle bells...
  • Question
    Will this work for a recorder?
    Community Answer
    This guide is for the piano, however, if you know the names of the notes on piano and can translate those notes to play on the recorder, you will still be playing jingle bells.
  • Question
    I've been trying to teach myself and I've learned a few basics and some songs, but I can't read music. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Take private lessons or a music theory class. If you're in middle or high school, check to see if your school offers music classes.
  • Question
    What tone do I use on a keyboard when playing Jingle Bells?
    Community Answer
    Since it's a Christmas song, make it jumpy and light. I would recommend trying "dolce" and "cantante."
  • Question
    Will this sound the same on a keyboard?
    Community Answer
    Yup, and you can always change your keyboard settings to "grand piano," which would sound exactly the same as a piano.
  • Question
    Why doesn't it sound like Jingle Bells when I try it?
    Community Answer
    You might be pressing the wrong keys, so double check to ensure that your fingers are placed properly.
  • Question
    How do I position my hands on the keyboard?
    Raga Raga
    Community Answer
    You hover your hands slightly above the keys of the keyboard. It's a bit like typing on a computer keyboard, except with hovering hands.
  • Question
    Which pitch would be best when I am playing Jingle Bells on Garage Band?
    Community Answer
    DDD DDD DFEbC D works great for the main melody line on Garage Band. You can also look up music and will find Jingle Bells in many different keys on websites like musescore.com.
  • Question
    Are there other songs you can play with this method?
    Haley Peng
    Community Answer
    Yes! It can range from "Mary Had a Little Lamb" to "Rush E". (For Rush E, you'll need your left hand)
  • Question
    What are the notes for the rest of the song?
    Haley Peng
    Community Answer
    The notes to Jingle Bells are: E E E E E E E G C D E------ F F F F F E E E E D D E D E E E E E E E G C D E-------- F F F F F E E E G G E D C.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article