O Christmas Tree is a Christmas carol of German origin. O Tannenbaum is its original name in German.
A Tannenbaum is German for a fir tree or Christmas tree. The melody to this Christmas song is an old folk tune and the best known lyrics comes from a Leipzig organist and teacher named Ernst Anschutz in 1824.
Here is the first verse in the English version:
O Christmas Tree O, Christmas Tree Your branches green delight us! O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree Your branches green delight us! They're green when summer days are bright They're green when winter snow is white O, Christmas Tree, O, Christmas Tree Your branches green delight us!
The first thing we will do is to locate the middle C on your keyboard. On an ordinary piano keyboard it is located in the middle of the keyboard sometimes near the keyhole if there is one.
On a common piano keyboard you will find that the notes C-B are repeated along the keys. One such row of notes are called an octave and since the middle C is located in the fourth octave on an piano it is sometimes called C4.
Even if your keyboard is smaller with less octaves middle C is still called C4.
We will now take a look at the melody to O Christmas Tree and the chords you can play with your left hand. We will begin with the melody together with the lyrics:
O (F)Christmas Tree O, Christmas Tree
C4 (F)F4 F4 F4 G4 G4 G4 G4
The (F) in the lyrics and melody indicate that you shall play an F-major chord with your left hand together with the note after the chord. How then do you play an F-major chord?
There are many ways to play an F chord but here is an easy example for your left hand:
F: C3 F3 A3
C3 means that you play a C in the octave to the left of the C4. Play the three notes in the chord together as you play the following right hand note.
Time for the next line:
Your (C7)branches green de(F)light us
A4 (C7)G4 A4 Bb4 E4 (C)G4 F4
The note Bb is the black key immediately to the left of B.
As you can see it is time for a new chord, C7. Here is a suggestion for that piano chord:
C7: C3 E3 Bb3
Now you have to repeat the previous lines before we proceed with the next part:
They're (F)green when summer (C7)days are bright
C5 (F)C5 A4 D5 C5 (C7)C5 Bb4 Bb4
C5 is the C in the octave to the right of C4.
Time for the next line:
They're (C7)green when winter (F)snow is white
Bb4 (C7)Bb4 G4 C5 Bb4 (F)Bb4 A4 A4
Now we only have to repeat the first two lines and we are done!
O (F)Christmas Tree O, Christmas Tree
C4 (F)F4 F4 F4 G4 G4 G4 G4
Your (C7)branches green de(F)light us
A4 (C7)G4 A4 Bb4 E4 (C)G4 F4
I suggest that you learn this little song by heart one line at a time. Practice every line first with your right hand melody until you master it. Then it is time to add your left hand chords. When you know a line by heart with melody and chords it is time to proceed with the next line.
Before you know it you have completed the song and can contribute to the Christmas spirit in a new setting!
I presume that you practice on the piano with the hope of becoming a better instrumentalist, pianist and musician and and in order to experience the joy and satisfaction that follows.
The learning processes in action as you try to learn to play the piano can lead you forward towards you goals. However, some things you learn can limit your progress and I think it is important to be aware of these factors.
Let's take a look at what you don't want to learn as you play piano! Let me mention three things!
1. At times when you practice on your piano you might experience stress and other uncomfortable feelings due to a deadline in the form of a upcoming piano lesson you don't feel prepared for or other disturbing thoughts.
The feelings you experience as you practice a specific piece of music have a tendency to be evoked when you play the same piece at another occasion.
2. Can tensions stick to your sheet music? Your actual muscle tension level when you play a piano composition tends to be present when you play the same piece of music in public.
In other words, it will be more difficult to perform and play a piano composition in a relaxed manner when you have practiced it with a high tension level.
3. Can you learn not to play a piece of music? I guess you practice on your piano and take piano lessons in order to become a better player.
However, if you don't concentrate on your piano playing and if you play new passages too fast you will probably make a lot of mistakes.
These mistakes tend to slow down the learning process and in fact they will be a part of the learning process. The more mistakes you make playing a particular piano sheet music passage the harder it will be to play it right.
Why is it so? All your earlier mistakes will accumulate and disturb you as you try to play a passage right. To play a passage wrong will become easier and easier the more times you make mistakes.
Is this depressing news? Well if these news will help you change your way of practicing piano playing it will be good news!
You can use these piano practicing news to your advantage! Read on!
1. Try to make your piano practicing sessions to peaceful and joyful occasions by never procrastinating your piano lesson homework and by having the right attitude as you start playing.
2. Always practice a new piano piece slowly and with concentration and with correct posture. If you don't make mistakes as you practice you will progress much faster!
3. Remember to relax as you play piano. Your piano practicing session can also be a relaxation exercise and if you play piano in this manner it will be beneficial both for your physical and mental health!
Peter Edvinsson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Guide Guitar, Programming and Guide Guitar. Peter Edvinsson is a music teacher, composer and musician. He invites you to download your at. Peter Edvinsson's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.