How to play Canon in D on piano
- Level
- Easy-intermediate
- Key
- D major
- Composer
- Johann Pachelbel
- Written
- c. 1680 to 1706
Pachelbel's Canon was rediscovered in the 1960s and 70s and is now one of the most popular wedding processionals. The whole piece repeats one eight-chord progression, D - A - Bm - F♯m - G - D - G - A, which you will recognize in dozens of pop songs.
Canon in D letter notes
Press play to hear each line while the keys light up. Then play along, one line at a time.
Bass line (left hand)
DABF♯GDGA
Melody (right hand)
F♯EDC♯BABC♯
Second melody
DC♯BAGF♯GE
Underlined notes are long notes: hold them for two beats or more.
Hand position
Left hand plays the eight-note bass line with one finger per note. Right hand plays the slow descending melody with finger 5 starting on F♯5.
Easy left-hand chords
Once the melody is comfortable, add these chords in your left hand, one per line or bar: D | A | Bm | F♯m | G | D | G | A.
Chord diagrams: D major, A major, B minor, F♯ minor, G major.
Practice tips
- Learn the left-hand bass line first: D A B F♯ G D G A, two beats each.
- The first melody line walks straight down: F♯ E D C♯ B A B C♯.
- Once both hands are steady, play the right hand as full chords: that is the easiest beautiful version.
How to practice this song
- Listen to each line once with the play button.
- Play one line slowly with the right hand until you make no mistakes three times in a row.
- Join two lines together, then the whole song.
- Add the left-hand chords, at half speed, once the melody is automatic.