We Wish You a Merry Christmas Piano Tutorial (Easy and Advanced Arrangements)

Jason Zac teaches We Wish You a Merry Christmas on piano in five stages: the melody with a simple bass, an anthemic choral arrangement, an arpeggiated version, a bluegrass version and a loungy outro, so players of any level can choose a version that suits them.

Video lesson by Jason Zac · Intermediate · 27 min

Can't see the video? Watch it on YouTube.

What this lesson teaches

In this festive tutorial, Jason Zac of Nathaniel School of Music shows how to play the Christmas classic We Wish You a Merry Christmas on the piano in five different ways. The lesson begins with the simplest possible version and builds up to fuller, more stylish arrangements.

It suits beginners who want a song they can play for friends and family this season, and more experienced players looking for fresh ways to dress up a familiar tune. You can stop at whichever version matches your level and come back to the others later.

The five versions, in order

1. Melody with a simple bass

The starting point is the tune itself in the right hand, supported by a simple bass line in the left hand. This version is about knowing the melody well: where it rises, where it repeats, and where the phrases end. Once the melody sits comfortably under your fingers, every later arrangement becomes much easier, because the tune stays the same while the accompaniment changes around it.

2. Anthemic choral arrangement

Next, the song is turned into a big, anthem-like arrangement in the style of a choir. Instead of a single melody note, the harmony is filled in with fuller chords so the piano sounds like several voices singing together. This version has a grand, celebratory feel and works well as a finale or for group singing.

3. Arpeggios

The third version breaks the chords up into arpeggios, playing the notes of each chord one after another rather than all at once. This gives the accompaniment movement and flow, and it is a good way to practise spreading your hand across the keyboard while keeping the melody clear on top.

4. Bluegrass version

The fourth arrangement takes the song into bluegrass, an American roots style. The feel becomes lively and bouncy, with a driving rhythm that changes the character of the tune completely. This is a fun way to hear how much a style of accompaniment can transform the same melody.

5. Loungy outro

Finally, Jason Zac closes with a relaxed, lounge-style outro. The mood softens and the harmony takes on a smoother, more colourful sound, giving the performance a stylish ending.

How to practise this song

1. Learn the melody first. Play the right-hand tune on its own until you can sing along to it without hesitating.
2. Add the simple bass. Put the left hand in slowly, hands together, before moving on.
3. Pick one new version at a time. Do not try all five at once. Move from the choral version to arpeggios, then bluegrass, then the outro as you feel ready.
4. Slow down the tricky parts. Jason Zac repeats passages slowly in the video; do the same at home and loop any bar that trips you up.
5. Combine versions into a medley. Once you know several, string them together: start simple, build to the anthem, add the bluegrass section for energy and finish with the loungy outro.

Playing the same song in different styles is one of the best ways to understand how arrangement works. The melody stays fixed, while the bass, chords and rhythm give each version its own personality.

Questions about this lesson

Is We Wish You a Merry Christmas easy to play on piano?

Yes. The simplest version in this lesson is just the melody in the right hand with a simple bass in the left, which is suitable for beginners.

How can I make We Wish You a Merry Christmas sound more advanced?

Keep the same melody but change the accompaniment: fill in fuller chords for a choral, anthem-like sound, break the chords into arpeggios, or try a bluegrass feel or a lounge-style ending.

What order should I learn the different versions in?

Start with the melody and simple bass, then move to the choral arrangement, arpeggios, bluegrass version and finally the loungy outro, adding one new version only when the previous one feels comfortable.

Can I combine the arrangements into one performance?

Yes. Once you know several versions, you can play them one after another as a medley, building from the simple version to the anthem and finishing with the relaxed outro.

Practise it

• WoodshedKeep a practice record, set goals and work on songs with tools for looping, changing speed and changing key.
• Piano classes at Nathaniel School of MusicLive online or in Bangalore, with a teacher.
• All free music apps40 practice tools for harmony, rhythm, ear training and more.

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