Description:

“What Child Is This? - Lead Sheet - Key Of G 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 G Minor” provided on this website has the following copyright status: Non-Commercial.

“What Child Is This?” is presented here as a lead sheet in G 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 G minor, B-flat, F, D minor, G minor, E-flat, and D7. 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 moves through G minor, B-flat, F, D minor, G minor, and D7, keeping the dark, old-world character of the tune clear while still giving the performer practical chord information for accompaniment.

Measures 11–16 begin the refrain-like middle section, “This, this is Christ the King.” The melody rises into a more declarative shape, while the chords move through B-flat, F, D minor, G minor, E-flat, and D7. 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 B-flat, F, D minor, G minor, D7, and G minor, bringing the page back firmly 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: “What Child Is This?” uses the melody of “Greensleeves,” one of the most famous English tunes. Because of that connection, the carol has appeared widely in Christmas films, television specials, and holiday recordings, where its minor-mode sound gives Christmas scenes a more reflective and old-world atmosphere than brighter carols.

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!