Greensleeves
Beginner Chords
"Greensleeves" , also known as "What Child is This", is the first truly beautiful song most young students receive in my studio. It doesn't matter if it isn't Christmas -- this is a song for the ages!
A new easy-to-read page
Please scroll down the page for the download links.
This is an INTRODUCTORY page to the full version for students who have just attained broken chord ability. They have conquered the second set of scales-plus-triad chords, but aren't actually reading much beyond Middle C notes. This page will help them at home!
Listen to the short intro for beginners:
The full version
Please scroll down the page for the download links.
As soon as they can make broken chords with some control, I give them the first page of the Secondo, which is really nothing but repeated broken chords Am, G, F, and E.
I have included the lyrics of verse one of the original song, "Greensleeves," the usual name by which this tune is called, as well as verse one of the later Christmas song lyrics, "What Child is This."
Now first, we'll take a look at the chord accompaniment. This is what my students think Greensleeves IS for a long time - just chords!
A closeup look:
Now they have a reason to practice chords!
Nothing motivates kids to play like hearing themselves produce wonderful sounds.
Again, today I have a six-year-old whose playing has improved since his last lesson, because of this Greensleeves piano music.
His finger coordination has gained more in one week because of his desire to play this song, than in weeks and weeks of assigned scales - perhaps because the scales didn't actually happen very often at home!
If you have prepared them well with a couple of weeks (or more if necessary) of LH - RH broken chords (just as they will use them in Greensleeves), then they will PLAY and PLAY this piece.
Please scroll down the page for the download links.
Of course, they're not reading the notes! Instead, they are looking at the chord symbols above the notes, and using the notes on the staff as a guide.
Following chord symbols is a musical skill, too, and very important, as any guitar player will tell you.
If you limit their musical diet to only what they can read right now, their "plate" won't have much on it! (Some kids will even "starve".)
Plus, you will be sneaking lots of technique practice into their menu without them even suspecting. It takes lots of control to play broken chord tones evenly over and over again.
These are basic piano chords, except for the E major. They are all "white" chords (except for the E major!) and therefore they are the chords of first choice for beginners.
I MAY silently allow them to turn the E into an E minor chord the first week, in order not to throw too much on their plate.
Then, week two of this easy chords song, I draw 3 tiny circles above the first E major chord, coloring the middle circle black. (See my piano chords chart to understand my meaning.)
Now, I haven't said much about the Primo part. That's because I consider it quite difficult compared to the Secondo, so I introduce it LONG after.
During lessons and at recitals, this is the part I play (frequently with voice doubling and extra chords).
Sometimes I play the melody high above the chord part, but more often I (or they, if they play it) put the melody LOW in the keys, below the chord part.
If you would like to see how I play it with my students, check out the Alphanotes arrangements of this duet on a different page where I have shown 3 different versions:
- one with all lettered notes,
- one with some lettered notes, and
- one that has all the notes that I play when I do the duet with students - it's fancy-sounding, though pretty easy. Those arrangements are stacked like a conductor's score, so you can see where the parts mesh.
Please scroll down the page for the download links.
Some beginner students will want to try it, but with this piece, their note-reading ability needs to be good. (Or they will need to use the Alphanotes version, farther down the page. Or learn it by ear!)
The rhythm and the sharps make it tricky... they will do better with this piece if it is something they WANT to play.
By the way, not many beginners will be able to perform a duet like this one together with another beginner... too many moving notes!
Please scroll down the page for the download links.
Many children will recognize this tune, but not be sure where they've hear it before... so we read aloud the Christmas song words, "What Child is This."
I tell them that sometimes, a melody is so great that people keep writing new words for it, and it stays popular.
Below is a newer version of the melody with music note drawings - that is, "Alphanotes" that show you the names of the note. I have also changed the timing to 3/4 instead of 6/4 time.
If students are already familiar with the melody of Greensleeves sheet music, then the dotted quarters and eighth notes shouldn't be hard to follow:
Please scroll down the page for the download links.
I like to play the Primo with them two different ways (where they play the Secondo, and I am the Primo);
- over the top of the chords, up in the high keys, or
- down below them in the bass, making the melody heavy enough to carry over their broken chords.
In the second example, I like to add my own supporting broken chords down low when we get to page two, to give depth and richness to the piece. See the graphics of that arrangement on my other Greensleeves piano music page.
The Primo was written to stand alone. If it is played with the Secondo, be sure to wait for 10 beats to join in with the chords. ("1-2-3-4-5-6, 1-2-3-4")
You teachers should have no problem playing this duet along with your student on either part, but PARENTS and SIBLINGS are likely to struggle with this duet!
You may have noticed that although the Secondo accompaniment is written in 6/8 time, I have turned the Primo melody into 6/4 time so that little ones don't have to worry about the eighth notes.
Here is a video performance of "What Child is This," sung by Andrea Bocelli & Mary J. Blige with still shots from the movie The Nativity Story (the melody starts about 55 seconds in):
This song will be a beautiful musical experience for a beginner.
Isn't that what it's all about?
Are you interested in an intermediate-level solo version of What Child is This?
Please check out the free arrangement over at my other website, SingTheBibleStory.com.
The links for the free printable PDF downloads:
Download the easy introduction page of Greensleeves chords
Download printable Greensleeves duet secondo, the parallel broken chords, the full version (2 pages)
Download Greensleeves free sheet music primo, the melody
Download notes for easy Greensleeves melody sheet, with lettered notes
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!
Recent Articles
-
Angels We Have Heard on High - Free Christmas Songs Arrangements
Angels We Have Heard on High: children love the fancy "Gloria" chorus, and you can download multiple arrangements for piano, violin, & guitar! -
Gospel Song Jesus Loves Me: Beginner & Easy Piano, Plus Lead Sheets!
Gospel song "Jesus Loves Me" is well-known to many children. Here are easy arrangements to learn the music & each word to Jesus Loves Me, for early piano. -
Easy Piano Sheet Music Swan Lake -Beginners & Intermediate Pianists!
Easy piano sheet music Swan Lake, lovely solos & duets, with lyrics in the beginner arrangements for dreamy students who love imagining. New arrangements! -
The Wellerman Sheet Music: Easy Piano & Lead Sheets!
The Wellerman: Tabs, sheet music & lyrics for piano, guitar, & more! Such a fun, high-energy song to sing & play - learn it fast with letters in the notes! -
Christmas Carol Lyrics Song from the Bible: Free SATB and Guitar Tab
Christmas carol lyrics from the Bible and an old-fashioned carol-like tune combine in this free Christmas song for SATB choir or a solo vocalist with guitar.
Interested in songs from the Bible for your students or church? Check out my other website, SingTheBibleStory.com!
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.
.%20%20At%20Music-for-Music-Teachers.com){kind=link}
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!
Ashley:
Thank you so so much for this site!
I'm teaching my little sister and everything up here is absolutely amazing! I will definitely be making a donation as soon as possible! Thank you again! You're wonderful!
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 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...
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.
Recent Articles
-
Angels We Have Heard on High - Free Christmas Songs Arrangements
Angels We Have Heard on High: children love the fancy "Gloria" chorus, and you can download multiple arrangements for piano, violin, & guitar! -
Gospel Song Jesus Loves Me: Beginner & Easy Piano, Plus Lead Sheets!
Gospel song "Jesus Loves Me" is well-known to many children. Here are easy arrangements to learn the music & each word to Jesus Loves Me, for early piano.