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Joy to the World — descending scale melody

Play the triumphant descending C major scale melody of Joy to the World with your right hand.

First notesLowell Mason (1839 hymnal melody) · Opening eight bars in C major · piano one handPiano · One hand · C major · 4/4

92 beats per minute. Changing speed stops playback; press Play to start again.

Try it at the keyboard

  1. Notice the secret of the opening four bars: it is simply the C major scale walking straight down from C5 to C4!
  2. Start on C5 with your 5th finger, play down to F4 with your thumb, then cross your 3rd finger over to E4.
  3. Give the high C5 notes in bars 5–7 a bright, celebratory ring.

About this score

Adapted in 4/4 in C major to highlight the complete descending C5–C4 scale and ascending cadence.

Tune "Antioch" arranged by Lowell Mason (1836–1839); C-major piano arrangement by NotePlayMusic. Public domain 19th-century hymn tune. Teaching arrangement newly authored by NotePlayMusic.

Source notation · Source score & rights notice