Chime a Carol

by Gail Smith

Downloadable version

Several years ago I composed the song "Why Can't Every Day Be Like Christmas?" There are always many new Christmas songs written each year, yet everybody really wants to hear the old familiar carols. They are traditional and classic.

We are going to have a lesson on how to CHIME this month. Whether you are a beginner at the piano or have taken lessons for many years, you will be able to chime a carol this Christmas. It is really very easy to chime. The sound is so lovely that I'm sure you will be motivated to practice till you can imitate the beautiful carillon bell chimes on your piano.

When I was just ten years old a sweet lady by the name of Grace Hallquist visited our home one evening and showed me how to chime. I never forgot how to do it. She just told me the formula was 4 in the right hand and 6 in the left. I am forever grateful to her for showing me how to play chimes.

Here's how you chime. We'll use "Joy to the World" as our example:

1. Play the melody of "Joy to the World" in the key of C.
2. Place the 5th finger in the right hand on the highest C. Count down four notes to G and place the 2nd finger on G. You now have an interval of a musical 4th in the right hand.
3. Place the left hand one octave below the right hand on the C with the thumb. Count down six notes and play E with the 5th finger. You now have an interval of musical 6th in the left hand.
4. Keep your hand in that position and play the song with the melody in the top of each hand all the way through the song. The fingering stays the same. The hand is frozen in that position of a 4th in the right hand and a 6th in the left.
5. Most important is the use of the damper pedal. It must remain down the entire time to give the sound of chimes. Don't lift it up till the song is over.

In the book You Can Teach Yourself Gospel Piano the use of chimes is seen in the carol "Joy to the World." on page 120.

Joy to the World

Other carols in the key of C that you will find easy to chime are: "The First Noel" and "Silent Night."

I hope you have fun playing the carols in Chimes. Have a very Merry Christmas.