Description:

“What Child Is This? - Lead Sheet - Key Of A Minor” is classified as a Level 4 Piano work worth 2,780 points within the Road to Virtuosity progression system. It is categorized under Lead Sheets → Hymns - Christmas and is part of the Composition/Improvisation collection. The sheet music for “What Child Is This? - Lead Sheet - Key Of A Minor” provided on this website is available for non-commercial use. This means it may be downloaded, printed, studied, and performed for personal or educational purposes, but it may not be sold, redistributed commercially, or used as part of a paid product without permission.

“What Child Is This?” is presented here as a lead sheet in A minor. The page includes the melody on a single treble staff, chord symbols above the notes, and three verses of lyrics by William Chatterton Dix placed under the melody. Instead of a written-out piano accompaniment, this version gives the tune, harmony, and text so it can be used for singing, simple accompaniment, arranging, or improvisation.

Measures 1–5 present the opening phrase, “What Child is this, who, laid to rest.” The melody begins in a solemn minor-key shape, while the chord symbols move through A minor, C, G, E minor, A minor, F, and E7. The stacked lyrics allow the same melody to carry all three verses without needing separate pages.

Measures 6–10 continue the first large phrase with “Whom angels greet with anthems sweet.” The harmony remains close to the minor-key sound, moving through A minor, C, G, E minor, A minor, and E7. This keeps the carol’s reflective, old-world character clear while giving the performer practical chord information for accompaniment.

Measures 11–16 begin the stronger middle section, “This, this is Christ the King.” The melody rises into a more declarative shape, while the chord symbols move through C, G, E minor, A minor, F, and E7. This section opens the sound after the quieter first half and gives the lead sheet its strongest statement of the text.

Measures 17–28 complete the carol with “Haste, haste to bring Him laud.” The harmony returns through C, G, E minor, A minor, E7, and A minor, bringing the page firmly back to the home key. The final cadence gives the lead sheet a complete ending while still leaving room for the performer to create a simple or fuller accompaniment.

Interesting fact: Because “What Child Is This?” uses the tune “Greensleeves,” it carries a much older English folk-song sound than many Christmas carols. That minor-mode melody gives the carol a reflective, almost medieval atmosphere, which is why it works especially well in quiet Christmas scenes, candlelight services, and arrangements that emphasize mystery rather than brightness.

How to earn points for this piece:

1. Practice and learn to play the piece. Then improvise your own arrangement.

2. You must play 3 verses only - each verse must be significantly different from the other. (Use different Left Hand techniques, or add embellishments, etc...)

3. Watch the video to see example of improvisation, and check your own arrangement for accuracy. (Your arrangement may be easier or harder than the video example, or be in a different key - and that is okay. You can still submit.)

4. Record yourself playing and upload it to Youtube.

5. Submit a link to your video here for evaluation.

6. Collect your points!