Free Online Christmas Music
Bring a Torch
Free online Christmas music "Bring a Torch", now with two intermediate piano arrangements.
Also in Middle C position for your beginners. Bring a Torch is a beautiful old French carol (called "Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle" in French) with a lilting, singable melody.
Please scroll down the page for the download links.
Lincoln-Way Central's 2006 Madrigal Singers:
Scroll down the page for the links to the free printable PDFs.
This music is fun to play!
Here is essentially the same arrangement, but with single melody notes in the right hand:
Please scroll down the page for the download links.
Here is the free online Christmas music Bring a Torch with melody only, in Middle C position:
Please scroll down the page for the download links.
But don't leave it like that! Turn this free online Christmas music into a DUET with your student by showing them how to use chords in inversions (like a cadence), then using them as a rhythmic element.
Give them the melody first, so they have some time to get familiar with it. Then, when they are secure with the melody, switch and have them play the chords.
Please scroll down the page for the download links.
I'd start with a simple pattern of one chord per measure -- LH and RH together. Use full or open chords, whichever your student prefers, or even both: an open chord in LH, and a full triad in RH (c,e,g).
Once this comes easily, try incorporating a rhythm of half-note, quarter; half-note, quarter (1-2, 3; 1-2, 3).
It will seem hard to make the change from C to F and G quickly, playing chords in root position, so here is where those chord inversions and cadences they have been learning take on new meaning:
This approach sounds a bit heavy, but we will alter the thickness of the chords after they've mastered the progression.
However, playing these chords may not be easy unless students are familiar and comfortable with the I-IV-V chord patterns.
My students start learning the relationships of the "3 main chords" early on, as soon as they can play triads well. (Take a look at my 12 Major Scales page, especially the Key of C, #1 - 5.)
Here is one more way to use the chords in this Christmas song:
Learning how to move from C to F to G chords while staying "at home" by the C chord opens up lots of musical possibilities and choices for pianists, especially when accompanying musical groups!
Wikipedia says this about the carol:
"Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella" (French: Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle) is a Christmas carol which originated from the Provence region of France in the 16th century. The song is unique among Christmas carols in that it is in 3/8 time.
The carol was first published in 1553 in France, and was subsequently translated into English in the 18th century. The song was originally not a song to be sung at Christmas, but rather dance music for French nobility.
The carol tells the story of two milkmaids, Jeanette and Isabella, who go to milk their cows in a stable in Bethlehem, only to find the baby Jesus sleeping in the manger.
The two girls run to town to tell the village of the coming of Christ, and the townspeople come with their own torches to view the sight for themselves. However, they have to keep their voices down so little Jesus can enjoy his dreams. To this day in the Provence region, children dress up as shepherds and milkmaids, carrying torches and candles to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, while singing the carol."
Below, I have put the Christmas song lyrics to Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella in PDF format (English and also French) so you can download and print them off easily:
The links for the piano music:
Download Bring a Torch (Un flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle) for intermediate piano
Download the late elementary/ intermediate version of this free Christmas song
Download free kids sheet music Bring a Torch for beginner piano students
Download free online Christmas music Bring a Torch with chord symbols
The link to the lyrics:
Download Christmas song lyrics in English and French to Bring a Torch Christmas carol
Dianna:
Your website is a light in the darkness. THANK YOU for all you do in helping to spread the love of music. It matters!
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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.
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Cat:
Thank you so much for these resources - I have a small music studio in Johannesburg, South Africa.
My kids love playing these tunes.
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!
Comments: Do you have a story or a question about music teaching? Share 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...
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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