Simpedia

Lynn F., North Carolina

Here is the teaching process for Carol of the Bells as best as I can describe in writing. It is truly very easy to learn. Contact me if you have questions!

Introduction:
Hand position: Thumbs of BH on A
RH: Use “top” four fingers envision them playing in a “loop” pattern…beginning with the top (pinky) and playing down 4 fingers and back up with the “ring” finger being the complete part of the loop. (IOW, you would be playing E,D,C,B,C,D.) When the RH reaches the “E” again, the loop is repeated.)

LH: Use top four fingers…One note, from top to bottom of the four, is played and held while the RH plays the loop pattern. When RH reaches the beginning note (“E”), the LH changes. Thus, the RH loop pattern is played 4 times at this position. In my version of the song, I play this complete (4 finger) pattern at least once in two different octave positions on the keyboard.

VARIATION: RH can add a “bottom” note in between each note of the loop…i.e. fingers played would be 5, 1, 4, 1, 3, 1,2 ,1 ,3 ,1, 4, 1. Another variation would be to have the RH play top, bottom to the top on the 4th time the loop is executed (with LH finger 4).

Melody #1:
Hand position: Same as above
RH plays 3, 2, 3, 1 for bell melody

LH plays the same notes as for the introduction – changing with each new, beginning “3”

Melody #2:
Hand position moves up two white keys (bottom on C)
RH plays same as above
LH plays same as above

“Stars shining brightly”
RH: To set up this section, explain that the words “Stars shining” will be used to play the same pitch, regardless of fingering or position. There will be a grouping of fingers used to help remember the melody as well…first, the top 4 fingers will be played, followed by the top 3, then the top 2 and then the thumb alone – i.e. 4, 3, 2, 1. If both these statements are understood, this section will fare easier.

Hand position: RH moves to top on A
Now, play this on fingers…beginning on pinky…I’ll use finger numbers….play 5-5-5 (stars shining) 4-3 (brightly) 2 (stars) – you are now on “E” and have completed the 4 finger group. Move RH to position top on this “E” and complete the “shining “5-5”– same pitch with finger 5 playing 2x- we just moved our hand! “Brightly” will be played with fingers 4-3 (thus we’ve used the 3 finger grouping); Next is “stars shining brightly” with fingers 4-4-4-5-4 (2 finger group) then thumb plays “on Christmas Day” with 1-1-1-1.
LH: Hand position = Night Storm. Play in this order: Changes with the words, “Stars” and “On”.
CLOSED (Stars)
CLOSED ”
OPEN ”
CLOSED (On)

Final Section:
I used the traditional words from the carol…”Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas” to help teach this section.

RH: Bottom on E
Play a scale pattern from “E” . As they go up they must play the first two black keys they come to and that is the trigger to remembering to “turn under” finger 1 and go to the top… then back to the middle finger. Fingering would be: “1,2,3,1,2,3,4,5,4,3” – but I don’t use it to teach it!

LH: Bottom on a low E
Play the first LH “E” with the first “E” in the RH and then play an octave higher, if desired, when the RH reaches the “4” or on the word “Merry” the last time when singing the phrase as the RH goes up. (When a greater comfort level is obtained, I tell my students to play the LH “E” anytime/any place in this section!)

To End:

Depends on YOU! When I first taught this piece, we repeated the Melody #1, perhaps repeated it and slowed down, got quieter, etc. then ended with position of Melody #2 but uses the notes – “E, D, E, A”.

Now, many of my students are taking Greensleeves, transposing it to A minor and incorporating it into Carol of the Bells. Some are attempting an interlude that takes the LH from “Sit by My Side” or a variation of that, and making up a RH “melody” to go along with it.

The LH used with the introduction and melodies 1 & 2 can be varied as well – from octaves played together to the same or similar pattern played with “Sit By My Side”.

Have fun with this and allow your students to create their own version. It is much easier to teach than describe. If you have any questions, please feel free to write or call me! Have fun!