How to Play We Three Kings on Piano

If you are learning how to play Christmas songs or hymns on the piano, you may want to try the simple carol, "We Three Kings." This holiday classic was inspired by the Biblical story of Persian kings traveling to bestow gifts upon the newborn Jesus of Nazareth.http://gracethrufaith.com/childrens-stories-for-adults/we-three-kings-of-orient-are/ Because "We Three Kings" has melodic lines that repeat, it is relatively easy for beginners to learn.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG66F1u8k7s

"We Three Kings" was first written in 1857 by Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr. for a Christmas pageant performed by the General Theological Seminary of New York. In 1863, he published the song in his book entitled Carols, Hymns and Song.http://www.faithclipart.com/guide/Christian-Holidays/holiday-songs/we-three-kings-of-orient-are,-the-song-and-the-story.html Hopkins wrote several other hymns and Christmas carols, including "The Lord is My Light and Salvation" and "Gather Around the Christmas Tree."http://www.allmusic.com/artist/john-henry-hopkins-jr-q2925/biography

Place the fingers of your right hand in the A position, with your first finger (right thumb) resting on A, your second finger (index) resting on B, and so on. You will play all five of these notes at some point during the song. Begin "We Three Kings" with your fifth finger (pinkie) on E.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG66F1u8k7s If you are already familiar with the lyrics that match the melody of the song, it may help to refer to them as you learn to play the notes as follows:

E D C A B C B A

E D C A B C B A (We three kings of Orient are)

E D C A B C B A (Bearing gifts we traverse afar)

For the next part, shift all your fingers to the "C" position, which is just two note placements to the right. Your first finger will begin playing on middle C. Play as follows:

C C D D (Field and fountain)

E E G F E (Moor and mountain)

D E D C B A (Following yonder star)

The five-note progression at the beginning is the introduction to the song, played for one measure before the lyrics begin.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG66F1u8k7s Practice the finger placement and melody of the song until you are comfortable.

To place your left hand in the A position, rest your fifth finger (left pinkie) on A, your fourth finger (ring) on B, and so on. For the bass line, you will mostly use singular notes, but one chord you will play consists of A and E. Your fifth finger will play A while your first finger plays E simultaneously.

Begin the bass line with your first finger (thumb) on E. Play the first part in the following order:

E D E

{A E chord}

D E

{A E chord}

D E

For the next part, shift your left hand to the C position. Play as follows, beginning with your first finger on G:

G G F F E E

E F G

F E

Once you are comfortable playing the melody and bass line to "We Three Kings" with separate hands, put the two parts together. For the introduction to the song, you will play the first note (E) of the melody with the first note (E) of the bass line at the same time. Play the D note with your left hand when you play B with your right hand, and then E with your left as you play the last A of the first line.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG66F1u8k7s

Repeat this pattern for the next two lyrical lines of the song, except that you will play the {A E chord} with the left hand as your right hand plays the first E note of each lyrical line of the song, such as when you sing "We..." and then "Bear-" of "Bearing..."

When you shift your hands to the C position to finish playing the verse, your hands will play in contrary motion, meaning the notes are played along a scale in opposite directions from one another. For example, when your right hand plays the following:

C C D D (Field and fountain)

E E G F E (Moor and mountain),

your left hand plays the same pattern in the opposite direction:

G G F F (Field and fountain)

E E E F G (Moor and mountain)

To finish the song, play F with your left hand as you play D with your right hand, singing "Foll-" of "Following..." Lastly, play E with your left hand as you play A with your right, on the final "...star."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG66F1u8k7s