White Christmas
The best-selling single in history – on the piano a calm standard with jazz harmony.
The piece at a glance
- Composer
- Irving Berlin
- Year
- 1942
- Origin
- Film Holiday Inn
- Key
- C major
- Level
- Intermediate
- Keys recommended
- 61 are enough
How difficult is it?
The melody is plain, the accompaniment contains passing chords that go beyond triads.
The real hurdle
The harmony. Easy in the folk-song version, a jazz exercise in the standard one.
How long does it take?
Simple version in a week.
A rule of thumb, not a rule – how fast it goes depends on prior experience and practice time. This level is an assessment, not a measurement: most pieces exist in arrangements ranging from heavily simplified to concert level. The rating refers to the common arrangement.
Which instrument suits it?
61 keys are enough.
Instruments that suit it
Casio CDP-S360 EU approx. €450–500Portable digital piano with Scaled Hammer Action II action.
Yamaha CLP-825 EU approx. €1,350–1,650Cabinet digital piano with GrandTouch-S action.
Kawai MP7SE EU approx. €1,400–1,550The stage all-rounder with Kawai’s RHIII feel – favourite of many pianists with stage jobs.
The catalogue lists 233 instruments with verified data – key count, action and connections documented rather than claimed.
Where to find the sheet music
This piece is under copyright. Sheet music is available only from licensed publishers – free PDFs found online are usually not legal.
Modern editions and arrangements
Simplified versions, modern engraving and arrangements are available from the usual sheet music retailers. We will add direct links here shortly.
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is White Christmas?
The melody is plain, the accompaniment contains passing chords that go beyond triads.
What key is White Christmas in?
White Christmas is in C major.
How many keys do you need for White Christmas?
An instrument with 61 keys is enough for this piece.
Who composed White Christmas?
Irving Berlin, 1942.
Can you download the sheet music for White Christmas for free?
This piece is under copyright. Sheet music is available only from licensed publishers – free PDFs found online are usually not legal.
How long does it take to learn White Christmas?
Simple version in a week.
If this suits you
Silent Night Franz Xaver GruberThe Christmas carol – written in Oberndorf in 1818, sung today in more than 300 languages.
Last Christmas George MichaelThe Christmas song half of Europe argues about every year – and everyone sings along anyway.