The lead sheet for Canon in D is available for download as a PDF.

Canon in D

Composed by Johann Pachelbel around 1680 during the Baroque era, Canon and Gigue in D major was originally scored for three violins and basso continuo. Though popular in his lifetime, the work faded into obscurity for centuries until its 1968 recording by the Jean-François Paillard Chamber Orchestra. This lush, slower interpretation transformed the piece into a global phenomenon. 

Today, it is a quintessential wedding staple and a foundation for modern pop music. Notable renditions include the Academy of Ancient Music’s period-accurate version and George Winston’s “Variations on the Kanon.” Its repetitive harmonic progression has influenced countless hits, cementing its legacy as one of classical music’s most recognizable and enduring compositions. 

Lead Sheet

The sheet music below is a lead sheet containing the chords and melody of the piece.

Download Canon in D (2 Pages) as a PDF.

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