Here’s one of the most famous and loved Christmas songs of all – and it’s everyone’s favourite!
So this Easy Piano Music Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer is sure to encourage young pianists to raise the roof with a rousing rendition!
If you are new to the piano and are still learning the notes on the stave, take a look at my First Piano Lessons for some help. The following tips are intended for young pianists with at least a year’s experience.
Work through the points below, allowing plenty of time between each stage. Kids will love learning to play this tune as they already know it so well.
How To Play Easy Piano Music Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
- Start by teaching them the right hand melody line phrase by phrase, paying careful attention to the rhythm and fingering. This may take time. Do it in stages over a couple of lessons.
- Point out how the main theme tune comes round three times and make sure the child can recognise it. At this stage it can look a bit long and daunting so it’s encouraging when they realise the tune repeats. Also point out that the last two notes at the end of these verses are not always the same. You could highlight or circle these notes to make them stand out.
- Once they have got the right hand notes and rhythm sorted out and can play it confidently, you can play the left while they play the right hand tune. The child will enjoy hearing the the two parts together. Depending on the age and level of the child just playing the right hand might be enough for now.
- The child is only ready to attempt the left hand when they can play the right hand confidently. Introduce the left hand in the same way: 2 bars at a time, following the fingering carefully. In this piece the left hand looks more difficult than it actually is because it is so repetitive.
- Point out which bars are the same as each other and then look at the pattern of the repeating intervals. See if they can recognise the 5ths and octaves as this will help to grasp it. Try to encourage the child to look ahead to see what is coming.
- Make sure that they recognise and understand the accidentals (sharps or flats in front of notes).
- When they can play the left hand easily you can add in the right hand at the same time, playing the piece as a duet.
- Once the child has mastered both hands separately they can then begin to put the hands together if they are happy to do so. Start slowly and steadily 2 bars at a time. It is important not to attempt to much too soon as this can be discouraging.
- If there are any particular bars that the child finds difficult then that part should be practised on its own three extra times, to help it catch up with the rest. I sometimes suggest that they do that as a warm up before attempting the whole piece.
- It is always important to gauge when the child has had enough and needs a break. Practice is always most effective when it is attempted little and often. Always give plenty of praise for each stage of the practice process so that the pupil feels satisfaction along the way.
If you’re looking for more Easy Piano Music for Beginners check out:
- Jingle Bells Easy Piano Music for Beginners
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Easy Sheet Music for Beginners
Check out our Christmas lesson plan for lots more musical and educational activities to celebrate the season!
In this easy piano tutorial, you will learn how to play the Christmas song, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. This tutorial is for beginners. Actually, there are three videos to choose from. In the first video, we take a look at the melody only. You will learn how to play the melody of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer with your right hand. In the second video, we take a look at both the left hand and right hand parts. You learn how to play the song’s melody as well as a very easy, one note at a time left hand part. In video three, we take things one step further, and you learn how to play easy three-note chords with your left hand, while playing the melody of the song.
Start by watching the video(s) then check out the notes and chords below.
Video 1 – Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Easy Piano Tutorial For Beginners (Right Hand Only)
Here’s video 1, where you learn how to play the melody of the song with your right hand.
Right Hand Notes (Melody)
Here are the notes to be played with your right hand. Be sure to watch the video first so you know where each note comes in. Be guided by my fingering as well.
G A G E C A G
G A G A G C B
F G F D B A G
G A G A G F E
G A G E C A G
G A G A G C B
F G F D B A G
G A
G A G D C
A A C A G E G
F A G F E
D E F♯ G A B C
C C B A G F D
G A G E C A G
G A G A G C B
F G F D B A G
G A G A G D C
To take your playing to the next level, learn about the Piano For All course here.
Video 2 – How To Play Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer On Piano
Here’s video 2 where you learn how
to play the melody of this easy song, as well as a left hand part.
Left Hand Notes
Play the following notes with your left hand. Use the video above as a guide.
C G C G C G G D
G D G D G D C G
C G C G C G G D
G D G D G D C G
F F C C F G C G
D A D D F F G
C G C G C G G
D
G D G D G D C
Video 3 – Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Easy Piano Chords Tutorial
Here’s video 3 where you learn how to play easy piano chords and melody for the Christmas song, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.
Chords:
You only have four easy chords to play and these chords are C major, D major, F major and G major. In case you’re new to chords, check out my main piano chords page here. Start by learning major chords, followed by minor chords. Here’s the chord progression for the song:
C C C G G G G C
C C C G G G G C
F C F G C D D F G
C C C G G G G C
Chord Notes:
In the video, I show you how you can play these various chords. Here are the notes of each chord as played in the video tutorial. The notes of each chord are hyphenated.
C-E-G C-E-G C-E-G D-G-B
D-G-B D-G-B D-G-B C-E-G
C-E-G C-E-G C-E-G D-G-B
D-G-B D-G-B D-G-B C-E-G
C-F-A C-E-G C-F-A D-G-B C-E-G
D-F♯-A D-F♯-A C-F-A D-G-B
C-E-G C-E-G C-E-G D-G-B
D-G-B D-G-B D-G-B C-E-G
I hope you had fun learning how to play the Christmas song, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. All the best with your piano playing. By the way, if you want to improve your skills, learn about my piano courses. They will help you take your piano playing to the next level.