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The First Noel sheet music

The First Noel sheet music is represented here by three distinct arrangements: a four-part vocal transcription associated with Pentatonix, a violin-and-piano setting, and a piano solo. The listings describe different opening keys, so compare the score details with your ensemble before choosing a version.

Scores 1–20 of 29

Sheet music

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Available arrangements

The First Noel appears in three practical formats: a four-part vocal transcription credited to Daniel Roberts after Pentatonix, a violin-and-piano setting credited to Traditional English Carol, and a piano solo. These are separate arrangements rather than a single definitive edition, so compare the part list with your group.

Opening key, metre and tempo

The Pentatonix transcription opens with no sharps or flats in 3/4. The violin-and-piano and piano-solo scores both open with two sharps, identified in one listing as D major, and begin in 3/4; the violin-and-piano listing also gives an opening tempo of 76 BPM. These details describe the openings of these particular scores, so check the full notation for later changes.

Matching a score to your ensemble

Choose the vocal transcription if you need four labelled vocal parts for the Pentatonix arrangement. Choose the violin-and-piano score if you need a melodic line with keyboard accompaniment, or the piano solo if one player is covering the piece. The labels do not establish difficulty, so assess the notation itself.

What the listings do not establish

One score credits The First Noel as 'Traditional English Carol', but credits vary across the listings, so verify historical details and programme notes against a reliable carol reference.

Scores to open first

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Common questions

What arrangements of The First Noel are listed?

Three separate arrangements of The First Noel are listed: a four-part vocal transcription associated with Pentatonix, a violin-and-piano setting credited to Traditional English Carol, and a piano solo. Each has its own instrumentation and opening key, so they are not interchangeable editions.

What instruments are used in the available versions of The First Noel?

The available versions of The First Noel use four vocal parts in the Pentatonix transcription, violin with piano in one setting, and piano alone in another. The vocal transcription labels its parts Kirstie, Mitch, Scott and Avi.

What key does The First Noel open in?

The listed scores of The First Noel do not share a single opening key. The Pentatonix vocal transcription opens with no sharps or flats, while the violin-and-piano and piano-solo versions open with two sharps; one listing identifies that key as D major. Check the whole score because later key changes are possible.

What time signature is used in these scores of The First Noel?

All three listed scores of The First Noel begin in 3/4 time. That describes their openings; confirm the meter through the rest of a score before relying on it for performance.

How do I choose between the vocal and instrumental versions of The First Noel?

Choose the four-part vocal transcription of The First Noel when preparing the Pentatonix arrangement for voices. Choose the violin-and-piano setting for a melodic instrument with keyboard accompaniment, or the piano solo for one keyboard player. Compare the part list and opening key with your ensemble before deciding.

What tempo is given for the violin-and-piano version of The First Noel?

One listed violin-and-piano score of The First Noel gives an opening tempo of 76 BPM. That tempo applies to the start of that particular score; check the full score for later tempo changes.

Who is credited as the composer of The First Noel in these scores?

Credits differ across the listed scores of The First Noel: one names 'Traditional English Carol', another gives no composer, and the Pentatonix transcription credits the original to Pentatonix with transcription by Daniel Roberts.