Canon in D — Easy Piano

Pachelbel's Canon in D, in the original key, arranged so that a pianist in their first year or two can play it at a wedding or ceremony. The left hand keeps the famous eight-note ground bass throughout. It stays on the staff and moves to simple open fifths as the piece builds. The right hand plays Pachelbel's own melody lines in order: the slow opening theme, then the flowing quarter-note variations. At the climax it plays the canon in thirds, the two violin lines as they sound together in the original. There are no accidentals and no sixteenth notes. Fingering is marked wherever the hand moves, and dynamics and phrasing are included. An optional repeat (bars 5–24) lets you stretch the piece to fit a processional or signing. It closes with a ritardando and a final held D major chord. 2 pages, D major, 4/4, Andante (quarter = 96).