About the piece
The tune is Welsh, Nos Galan (“New Year's Eve”), and dates back at least to the 16th century. The English words “Deck the Halls” were published in 1862.
The “fa la la la la” refrain makes it one of the most cheerful carols.
The arrangement was written by us for Piano Learning; the app also has a ★★ version with chords.
The notes of the melody (right hand)
Notes with a coloured border are longer. The video also shows the left hand.
GFEDCDECDEFDED
CBC
GFEDCDECDEFDED
CBC
DEFDEFGDEF♯GABC
BAG
GFEDCDECAAAAGF
EDC
How to practise it
- Read the notes above and find the hand position: most of the time the fingers stay on five neighbouring keys.
- The falling scale of the “fa la la” should be played with close, light fingers.
- Add the left hand only when the right hand is secure, first at 60% as in the video.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to read music?
No: the notes are written in letters and the video shows which key to press and for how long.
Can I play it with one hand?
Yes, the right-hand melody alone is already recognisable. In the app, if you practise one hand, the app plays the other.