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Jingle Bells (chorus)

The chorus of Jingle Bells sits in the right hand's C position, from middle C to G. It is mostly repeated notes, and its one jump, from G down to C in 'jingle all the way', is the part to practice.

Play it in Octotune

The opening, as the app engraves it: E4, E4, E4

The melody in letters

Measure by measure, as the app’s melody version has it; the small numbers are the fingers.

  1. Measure 1E3E3E3
  2. Measure 2E3E3E3
  3. Measure 3E3G5C1D2
  4. Measure 4E3
  5. Measure 5F4F4F4F4
  6. Measure 6F4E3E3E3E3
  7. Measure 7E3D2D2E3
  8. Measure 8D2G5
  9. Measure 9E3E3E3
  10. Measure 10E3E3E3
  11. Measure 11E3G5C1D2
  12. Measure 12E3
  13. Measure 13F4F4F4F4
  14. Measure 14F4E3E3E3E3
  15. Measure 15G5G5F4D2
  16. Measure 16C1

At a glance

ComposerJames Lord Pierpont (1822–1893)
DifficultyStarter pieces: grades 1–2 of 8
KeyC major (no sharps or flats)
Time4/4
Tempo120 quarter-note beats a minute, as the app starts it (it can go slower)
Length16 measures, about 32 seconds
Handsone hand or both, by version
Right handC4 to G4
Left handC3 to G3
On the pathUnit 4, Treble G and up, Kids, Long and short

It reaches past the staff: see ledger lines explained.

Versions in the app

VersionGradeLevels
Jingle Bells (chorus) — melody1 of 8Full
Jingle Bells (chorus) — with bass2 of 8Melody, Full

Practice notes

The chorus of Jingle Bells, by James Lord Pierpont, fits in the right hand's C position: thumb on middle C, little finger on G.

It begins E E E, E E E ("jingle bells, jingle bells"), then E G C D E ("jingle all the way"). The second half is F F F F, F E E E E, then E D D E, D G. After that the first part comes back and finishes G G F D C.

Two things to practice:

  • "Jingle all the way": E G C D E. From G (finger 5) the tune drops a fifth to C (the thumb), then steps back up. Play just these five notes until the drop is sure.
  • Repeated notes. Most of the song is the same key several times. Keep the finger on the key's surface, let it rise just enough, and play again. Count the notes: three Es, three Es; four Fs.

Rhythm. Mostly quarter notes, with a dotted quarter on C in "all the way" and a pair of quick eighths near the end of the second half. A whole note on E ends the first line: hold it for four.

Practice plan. Wait for me first. Then Play along slowly, since the fun of the song is its bounce, and speed it up bit by bit.

In the path: Unit 4 for grown-ups, and the Kids unit Long and short, where its long and short notes are the point.

Questions

What are the piano notes for Jingle Bells?

The chorus: E E E, E E E, E G C D E; F F F F, F E E E E, E D D E, D G. Then the same again, ending G G F D C. Right thumb on middle C.

Credits and license

  • Music: James Lord Pierpont (1822–1893)
  • Arranged for Octotune
  • License: Arrangement © Octotune; melody public domain

The Octotune team · Updated