The Church Pianist: O Little Town of Bethlehem (free arrangement)

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The mood of a song determines what

type of accompaniment will be used.

"O Little Town of Bethlehem" is a soft

and peaceful Christmas carol...like a

lullaby.

If I were playing this as a piano solo,

I would use less fullness for a softer

texture. Since I arranged it for the

congregation in mind, it will need the

fuller chords for supporting a large

group of singers.

This particular Christmas carol has

frequent accidental or (altered) chords,

which can create awkward moves for

the pianist.

I tried to make an accompaniment

that was more comfortable for the

hands.

Click here to download "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

Editor notes for: "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

Measure 3 :

I added the 7th note

to the ii chord (g minor) for a warmer

tone on the 3rd beat.

Measure 5:

The right hand plays a

fill-in on beats 3 and 4 for a smooth

transition to the upper range.

Measure 7:

Notice how I'm working

my way back down to the middle
range of the keyboard with my
right hand.

Measure 8:

I'm back to middle range
of keyboard to create a darker tone for
the words. ("....dark street...")

Measure 13:

Bell tones (4th interval on

beats 2 and 3 to convey a "lighter" tone).

Ok...how many of you picked up on that? :)

Please feel free to use this free piano

arrangement for congregation or choir.

You may adapt it to a piano solo with

minor changes.