1. Starting position:
- Sit at the piano with good posture and place your hands comfortably on the keys.
- The anthem is written in the key of G Major. (Alternatively, you can transpose it to a key that’s more comfortable for you.)
2. Play the right-hand melody:
- Begin with the melody of the first phrase.
- Use your right hand to play the notes on the treble staff.
- The starting note is a G.
3. Use the left-hand accompaniment:
- Add the left-hand accompaniment with your left hand.
- The accompaniment consists of broken chords and arpeggios.
- The notes are often played in a rhythmic pattern of quarter notes and eighth notes.
4. Chord progressions:
- The song primarily follows a I - V - I progression in G Major.
- This means alternating between the G Major chord (G - B - D) and the D Major chord (D - F# - A).
- The melody notes often align with the root notes of the chords.
5. Chorus - "God Save the King":
- Play the melody for the chorus, starting with the note "G" for "God."
- Continue with the phrase "save the King" by playing the notes that correspond to the lyrics.
- Repeat this phrase for the subsequent lines "long live our noble King" and "God save the King."
6. Second Verse - "Thy Choicest Gifts in Store":
- The second verse follows a similar melodic structure to the first verse.
- Pay attention to the chord changes for this verse.
- The verse modulates to the key of C Major briefly for the lines "On thee, great Prince, the nations wait," before returning to G Major.
7. Repeat the Chorus:
- Repeat the chorus melody for "God Save the King" after the second verse.
8. Bridge - "O Lord our God Arise":
- The bridge begins with a rising melody, ascending from a low note to a high note.
- Follow the musical notation for this section to capture the intended musical expression.
9. Final Chorus - "God Save the King":
- Return to the chorus melody once more, with the repetition of "God Save the King."
10. Ending:
- The song concludes with a descending melodic phrase, leading back to the starting note, "G."
Remember to practice regularly and adjust the tempo and dynamics to your liking. With practice, you'll be able to play the UK national anthem on the piano with confidence.