Free Sheet Music for Children:
Easy Version of Carol of the Bells
Free sheet music for children is an even better idea when it's a beautiful and easy piano song with which they may already be familiar.
I have had several students, when first hearing this piece, delightedly declare, "This is the 'Home Alone' music!"
Beginner piano students are frequently thrilled to have this easy piano music -- even in July! -- because they love to play "real" music they have heard before.
When I demonstrate this song to them, I actually play the harder version so that they will quickly recognize the tune, as it is fuller-sounding.
Scroll down the page for the link to the printable PDF.
Here's the Carol of the Bells for beginner piano students; notice that the left hand has no fingering.
I suggest the thumb on Middle C, but you (the teacher) may prefer the "2" finger. See what your student starts to do at the beginning of the song, and if their own fingering works for them, it might just be a good idea to let them go with it.
"But it's so easy!"
Yes, but little kids still like to play it! There is enough inherent mystery, I guess, to pull them into this piece.
It has been a GREAT FAVORITE, and it is easy to "dress up" by starting high and dropping down for a repeat, by adding pedal, by adding a different ending... My students have done all these things, sometimes all on their own.
I have found this beginner piano version of the Carol of the Bells (also known as the Ukrainian Bell Carol) to be a really good way to "grind" the rhythm of the four-note motif into students' heads.
When they are made to count "1-2, 1, 1, 1-2. 1-2, 1, 1, 1-2," it seems easier than to meet it for the first time with eighth notes. (See my regular version of the Ukrainian Bell Carol.)
And kids are generally kind of slow with the LH at this level of playing, so counting long beats makes sense to them in this song.
There's a different kind of hand coordination going on with this easy song -- busy LH, easy RH. To make it last longer, have students repeat the song up an octave.
For an even easier-to-read version of this arrangement which puts note names into the note heads, see my Note-Naming Worksheet page...
This easy piano song sounds very pretty -- and Christmasy -- with the pedal held down. Young kids love to use the pedal, and in this piece, it's okay, because it is a song about bells...
Have fun with Carol of the Bells!
The link to Hark How the Bells:
Free sheet music for children Carol of the Bells easy
Interested in songs from the Bible for your students or church? Check out my other website, SingTheBibleStory.com!
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All the first-year material I give my beginner students.
Piano keyboard sheets, scales, chords, note-reading exercises, and over 256 pages of music!
This beautiful song book for piano & voice "Esther, For Such a Time as This", available as a digital download, tells the riveting story of the time when Jews in ancient Persia faced a foe named Haman, and how a brave young queen risked her life to save her people.
A good choice for a singing story-teller, an operatic group, a short theater production, or a class of children!
This book is also available from Amazon as a paperback.
This book is available as a digital download from this site. Visit this page to see some free examples from the book.
It is also available from Amazon as a paperback!
This is the perfect easy start for little pianists.
And when they start reading white-key notes on the staff, this is a fun easy resource to say each week, "Choose a new black-key song at home this week and figure it out to show me next lesson!" They will be spending more time at the piano.
A perfect read aloud storybook
for little boys or girls.
The Adventures of Tonsta highlight the travels of a very young boy with a good heart, who goes about helping folk in trouble.
With a red cap on his head and a sack of tools slung over his shoulder, Tonsta seems to meet people in distress wherever he goes.
Lots of trolls in this book - including one who gives him a Christmas gift!
Shanette, US:
I just purchased O Holy Night to use as a duet for Christmas Eve Mass.
Thank you so much for this simple, easy to read version as my vocalists are not professional and this music won't be quite so intimidating as other arrangements I have. Your expertise is much appreciated!! Merry Christmas!
Audrey:
I just wanted to tell you that I have found your website EXTREMELY helpful!
I have a young group of children that I have started a youth choir with and I was searching for music ideas and I came across your website. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
Comments
Do you have a funny story about this music, or does it remind you of something you'd like to share with other readers? Do you have a question? I'd love to hear it!
Please note that all comments are moderated, and will not appear until I have approved them. Also, IF YOU ARE ASKING FOR MUSIC THAT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, YOUR REQUEST WILL BE IGNORED. That's pretty much any music written in the last 75 years...
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The Lord knew my heart
and knew I was searching for the perfect chords displayed easily for left hand for O HOLY NIGHT to share a duet with my student who plays beginner flute!! …
Thanks....
This site is fantastic!!! I am a forth year AMEB student in Australia and had been asked to teach one of my neighbours piano. She is only 6 years old and …
Great!
I love this site -- to make it better tell the hand position!
Dana:
Sofia, the left hand will place the thumb on Middle C. The right hand will …
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About the Author
Hi, I'm Dana! (Say that like "Anna".) I'm the owner of Music-for-Music-Teachers.com, and a newer site, SingTheBibleStory.com.
Like some of you, I've been playing the piano since early childhood, and have added a few other instruments along the way, plus an interest in arranging and composing music.
You can find out more about me and the reason for this website at my About Me page.
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Braveheart: Soundtrack Music for Intermediate Piano
Braveheart soundtrack music is among the most expressive & beautiful film music ever. Discover an exciting new piano arrangement , for you or your students! -
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Lullaby "All Through the Night" is a lovely song with fresh-sounding harmonies. Almost unknown are some of the extra lyrics - 4 verses in all. Very sing-able!