September 15, 2025 EDIT: "Play "Pachelbel's Canon" Your Way" is now live! You can continue to discuss your preparation of the piece here, but also, feel free to use this thread to discuss any other matters regarding Play It Your Way (PIYW). The next PIYW will be announced October 16.
PIYW #2: Play "Pachelbel’s Canon" Your Way
Play It Your Way is a quasi-monthly event for beginners, professionals, classical, jazz, or pop pianists and everyone in between! This month, we are starting work on "Canon in D" by Johann Pachelbel. Use the links below to find an arrangement or lead sheet you like, and when you are ready, post your performance in the submission thread. Perfection is not expected!
Previous PIYWs (so far there is only one!):
Play "Beale Street Blues" Your Way
Thanks to ShiroKuro for this month's selection! Please suggest pieces for future "Play It Your Way" events by using the suggestion box. We need suggestions for all types of music! (Ideally, the Play It Your Way piece will be playable by many different skill levels, but it doesn't necessarily have to be.)
Guidelines
- This is not a contest! It is meant to be a casual and fun event.
- A new "Play It Your Way" piece will be announced on the 16th of the following months: Jan, Feb, Apr, May, July, Aug, Oct, Nov.
- You can use this thread to discuss your preparation of the piece, or anything else related to PIYW. To submit a recording of your performance, go to the submission thread.
- All PIYW submissions will remain hidden from public view until September 15. However, there is no deadline for when you need to submit your performance. You may submit a recording at any time, including before and after that date.
Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel (ca. 1680-1690)
Britannica article on Pachelbel's Canon:
Pachelbel’s Canon was relatively obscure until the late 20th century, when it experienced a surge in popularity. It was included in numerous television and film sound tracks—notably that of the 1980 film Ordinary People—and became a standard in general collections of classical music. It also became a common feature of wedding celebrations, especially in the United States.
Pachelbel’s Canon uses a musical form—the canon—that is similar to that of the French folk song “Frère Jacques” though more complicated in design. The piece begins with one melody in the ground bass—typically performed by a cello and a harpsichord or organ. That melody is then repeated in different registers and instrumental parts while other melodies are added, usually in the upper registers. In an intricate canon such as Pachelbel’s, the basic melody gradually grows and evolves, becoming more and more elaborate each time it returns.
Wikipedia article on Johann Pachelbel:
Johann Pachelbel was a German composer, organist, and teacher who brought the south German organ schools to their peak. He composed a large body of sacred and secular music, and his contributions to the development of the chorale prelude and fugue have earned him a place among the most important composers of the middle Baroque era.
Links to Sheet Music
- You are not limited to only the arrangements linked below. Feel free to find or create your own.
- You do not have to complete or perfect the piece to submit it, and don't be afraid to simplify or shorten the piece.
- Improvisation, backing tracks, and backing humans are all allowed.
For items with asterisks, look in the description box below the YouTube video for a link to sheet music.
Not all sheet music presented here is free.
Straightforward Versions
Easy Version *
Intermediate Version (Alfred's Level 2) *
Advanced Version *
Canon Fantasy - Lee Galloway
George Winston Version | Musescore
Variations
David Lanz Variation *
Maroon 5 - Memories *
Pachelbel's Canon Rag - Ron Drotos | Free sheet music (simplified version also in the same PDF)
The Jumpy Johann Variations - Kyle Landry | Sheet music