Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

This page features the sheet music lead sheet (melody & chords) for Johann Pachelbel’s “Canon in D.” The melody is in standard notation with the chords as chord symbols above the staff.

Pachelbel originally scored “Cannon in D” for 3 violins and a basso continuo sometime between 1680 and 1706.

Sheet Music

This lead sheet arrangement of “Canon in D” with chords (as chord symbols) is not the complete score but the main themes. I kept the melody to the essential elements of the piece using the original score for 3 violins and basso continuo. It can also be used as a guide for improvising over the harmonic changes (the chords).

For your convenience, it’s in a 2-page format to avoid having to turn the page during a performance.

The complete lead sheet for this arrangement of “Cannon in D” is two pages long and available for download as a PDF.

Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

Download “Canon in D” Sheet Music (2 Pages) as a PDF.

$2.99Add to cart

Origin of “Cannon in D”

In 1985, Han-Joachim Schulze writes that “Cannon in D” may have been composed for Johann Christoph Bach wedding on October 23, 1694. Johann Christoph Bach was Johann Sebastian Bach’s elder brother. Pachelbel would have attended this wedding.

For more information about the history of “Canon in D” see the Wikipedia article on the subject here.

More Sheet Music

List of Lead Sheets

Thanks for Visiting FreeWheelinGuitar.com

The Pachelbel Canon in D for beginners, free printable sheet music -- only the versions on this page are arranged in the key of C!  

Also check out the long & fancy version for early note-readers.

Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

Please scroll down the page for the download links.

Beautiful and familiar

This is the beautiful music, I tell young beginners, that you often hear in movies and in real life at weddings, when the bridesmaids are walking down the aisle. Floating-on-clouds music!

For beginners, this piece really needs to be in the key of C. Here are the two simplest versions I offer. (Go to the page with the longer, harder versions.) 

First, kids must understand chords

And frankly, they are not all that simple.

Make sure your student has familiarity with chords, and with the high treble clef notes before they start this piece ---things will go much more smoothly!

You may not like my fingering!  So here is the same piece, with no fingering written in: 

Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

Please scroll down the page for the download links.

I suggest playing it as a duet at lessons for a couple of weeks (each of you on just one hand, then switching), and sending them home with only the chords for their weekly assignment.

Why?

The chord symbols may be a problem.

Here's what a kid still scared of high treble clef notes may do once they get home:

They may look at the bold letter "C" above the first treble clef note, vaguely remember that you did say the first RH (right hand) note is a "C"...

...and so the RH note in the second measure (there where the letter G appears) MUST be a G...

...even though it doesn't sound right... and the note in the third measure must be A, etc. 

Be sure they understand the meaning of the chord symbols over the staff

Yes, IT HAPPENS. Even with students who know better. And they play it that way all week, firmly cementing in that new bad habit.  Or they just won't play it!

If they don't fall into that trap, they may slip into the other pitfall of assuming the piece is in "C position," not bother to read the notes, and just play "5, 4, 3, 2, 1" etc. starting on "g, f, e, d, c" all week long. 

Yuck! They'll wonder how the piece lost its magic.

What makes the Canon doubly hard for beginners is that the LH keeps moving around -- not like their lesson books!

It's good to shake out of the routine

Kids using certain method books frequently EXPECT to place both hands in "C position" -- that is, with both hands' bottom fingers on C.

You can blame their method book for this shortcoming, or you can blame yourself! But it's a problem you have to work at again and again with young note-readers.

Start with Left Hand alone

Try assigning just the first 8 measures in week one, chords only. Make sure those chords are solid before starting the RH. Then switch hands.  You will most likely see them WANTING to put it hands together, if they have a good grasp on those left hand chords.

Adding broken chords

Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

Please scroll down the page for the download links.

Easy-peasy!  The kids already know the chords... now just "break" them - play the triads one note at a time.  SO PRETTY.  Even high-energy kids will enjoy this piece.

The same arrangement minus fingering

Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

Please scroll down the page for the download links.

Even if you approach this piece slowly, it doesn't have to be boring.

And even if your beginning student plays just the chords, the Pachelbel Canon is still beautiful. 

The links to the arrangements with solid left hand chords:

Download free printable sheet music for Canon in D. This version has my favorite fingering. 

Download free sheet music with NO fingering 

The broken chords arrangements:

Download free printable sheet music version with broken chords 

Download broken chord version with no fingering 

Were you hoping for a more difficult arrangement of the Pachelbel Canon?

Was this level of the Canon not quite what you were looking for?   I actually have FOUR DIFFERENT WEB PAGES dedicated to the Pachelbel Canon.  

Check out the graphics and links below:

Here are the 4 different "Canon" pages on this website:

1.

Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

This page, Canon Sheet Music, features the very easiest arrangements of all, including a student-teacher duet.

Many versions, some with lettered notes.

2.

Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

On the web page called simply  "Canon,"  the basic melody of the Canon is paired with left hand triads, solid (as shown) and also broken.  

The chord symbols are helpful for some students.  But  confusing for others!  It is important for pianists to learn to interpret chord symbols.

3.

Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

Here on this page called "Pachelbel Canon," you will find the Canon as you are accustomed to hearing it played at weddings!

Several arrangements including the original key of D.

4.

Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

Here is the last Canon web page, called "Canon in D sheet music."

Page 2 of this arrangement is shown...

On this page of the Canon in D sheet music, you'll find ALPHANOTES (letters inside the music note-heads) in some or all of the note-heads of the music.

This arrangement was written to help an early reader conquer this piece.  

It worked.

Check out a fancy version of the Pachelbel Canon that even elementary students can play!


Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

Interested in songs from the Bible for your students or church?  Check out my other website, SingTheBibleStory.com!

Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

Recent Articles

  1. Joy to the World: Lyrics, Guitar Tabs & Sheet Music!

    Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

    Joy to the World lyrics, guitar tabs, & sheet music for Christmas! Piano solos, an ensemble, & guitar tabs.

    Read More

  2. Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep: a Prayer That is Now a Song for Piano

    Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

    Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is a childhood prayer, now a song to sing and play for your beginners.

    Read More

  3. Wexford Carol Lyrics & Sheet Music: New Beginner & Lead Sheet Versions

    Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

    Wexford Carol lyrics & sheet music, in time for Christmas! A very elegant arrangement in several keys, plus new easy arrangements for beginners!

    Read More

  4. Merry Merry Christmas Singing Round: Short, Sweet, Energetic!

    Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

    Merry Merry Christmas singing round is fast & pretty, and you may have never heard it before! Super simple lyrics. Get the free sheet music here.

    Read More

  5. Canon Sheet Music for Beginner Piano Students

    Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

    Canon sheet music for beginners. Maybe THE EASIEST CANON arrangement in the world, with broken chords! Seven different versions, & a duet arrangement.

    Read More

Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

Songs Old & Songs New

All the first-year material I give my beginner students. 

Piano keyboard sheets, scales, chords, note-reading exercises, and over 256 pages of music!

Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

Queen Esther in the Bible

This beautiful song book for piano & voice "Esther, For Such a Time as This",  available as a digital download, tells the riveting story of the time when  Jews in ancient Persia faced a foe named Haman, and how a  brave young queen risked her life to save her people.

A good choice for a singing story-teller, an operatic group, a short theater production, or a class of children!

This book is also available from Amazon as a paperback.


Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

Just the Black Keys

This book is available as a digital download  from this site.  Visit this page to see some free examples from the book.

It is also available from Amazon as a paperback!

This is the perfect easy start for little pianists.

And when they start reading white-key notes on the staff, this is a fun easy resource to say each week, "Choose a new black-key song at home this week and figure it out to show me next lesson!"  They will be spending more time at the piano.

Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

The Adventures of Tonsta

A perfect read aloud storybook
for little boys or girls. 

The Adventures of Tonsta highlight the travels of a very young boy with a good heart, who goes about helping folk in trouble.  

With a red cap on his head and a sack of tools slung over his shoulder, Tonsta seems to meet people in distress wherever he goes.

Lots of trolls in this book - including one who gives him a Christmas gift!

Available at Amazon

Sign up for "Take Note!" to see what's new every month.

About the Author

Canon in D Piano Chords PDF

Dana Thynes

Hi, I'm Dana!  (Say that like "Anna".)  I'm the owner of Music-for-Music-Teachers.com, and a newer site, SingTheBibleStory.com.

Like some of you, I've been playing the piano since early childhood, and have added a few other instruments along the way, plus an interest in arranging and composing music.

You can find out more about me and the reason for this website at my About Me page.

What are the chords for Canon in D?

Canon in D's chord progression is as follows: D major, A major, B minor, F# minor, G major, D major, G major, and A major. They are simple but beautiful diatonic chords in the key of D major.

Is Canon in D beginner piece?

Before you watch the tutorial, make sure you download the free piano sheet music to “Canon in D.” It's been arranged especially for beginners and is made easy with written fingering.

What difficulty level is Canon D?

Cheat sheet.