Silent Night
Sing this lovely Austrian Christmas carol with two different piano accompaniments
Two old friends, Franz, a teacher, and Joseph, a priest, get together to write what turns out to be a Christmas song. They perform it for the very first time on Christmas Eve, 1818, the two of them standing in front of a candlelit nativity scene in their local church in Oberndorf, Austria, Joseph strumming a guitar while they both sing.
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
It’s because of family groups of singers that toured Europe singing and selling wares that Silent Night (Stille Nacht) is first heard outside of Austria. And soon enough it’s being performed by choirs and other ensembles throughout Germany and beyond. Cut to now and it’s a firm Christmas favourite, sung by more than two billion people every year, and in more than three hundred languages.
Beat that, Mariah Carey. Franz and Joseph went viral!
Theory and practice: Silent Night style
Now it’s your turn.
This song has some big leaps in it, but then so does Happy Birthday and we’ve not let anything stop us singing that, have we? Much better to just go for it and enjoy it, knowing that you’re in good company (two billion people!).
To give yourself a helping hand, remember to keep breathing. Taking regular breaths will help you keep a flow of air while you’re singing. This provides some momentum and energy to the song, and helps with those high notes.
In my experience, Christmas carols are often way too high to sing comfortably, so I’ve recorded these versions in a lower key that should suit most people. If you’d like something higher (or even lower), send me a message and I’ll send you a new recording!
Last week’s post included the opportunity to sing Jingle Bells with a glam funk band, but that doesn’t seem appropriate for the more sensitive Silent Night.
Instead, this week I’ve recorded two piano accompaniments for you, one quite gentle and straightforward and the other a bit more jazzy.
Piano
This is the gentle piano part. You’ll hear a short introduction and me singing the first line only. After that you’re on your own:
And here’s the piano part without me singing:
Jazzy piano
This one has a few jazzy chords thrown in, giving it a lovely feel. You’ll hear the same length introduction as above, but I’m not singing so you’re on your own. Enjoy!
