Sleigh bells
A high note and two quick chords in a short bar, jingling along. One of the syncopated chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your right hand over a C chord. You need E (thumb, 1), G (index finger, 2) and C (little finger, 5).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play C on 1, then E and G together on 1& and 2&, then C on 3, then E and G together on 3& and 4&.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: B, D and G. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Sleigh bells on piano?
A high note and two quick chords in a short bar, jingling along. Right-hand chords with off-beat pushes. Musicians call it note + chords, 1, 1&, 2& (2/4).
Is Sleigh bells hard to play?
It is an intermediate pattern. Learn it with your right hand alone at 60% speed first, then play it over a chord loop.
Which songs use Sleigh bells?
Stouthearted Men by Sigmund Romberg and The Universal Soldier by Buffy Sainte-Marie use Sleigh bells. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.