Which Christmas songs can you easily play on guitar as a beginner? Choose songs with three chords, such as “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells”. With G, C and D (or C, F and G) you can already play a number of well-known Christmas classics. Below you’ll read which simple Christmas songs suit beginners, which chords and strumming patterns you need, and how to learn them faster.
Christmas songs are a fun way to develop your guitar playing and get into the holiday spirit at the same time. You already know the melodies, the chords are simple and you can play them for friends and family. Whether you play solo or with others: with a few songs under your belt you’re ready for the holidays.
Summary
- Christmas songs with three chords, such as “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells”, are ideal to learn as a beginner
- With the chords G, C and D you can play many Christmas songs without the tricky F chord
- A simple strumming pattern and a metronome help you get a grip on rhythm and timing
- Practice chord changes slowly and in small pieces, and only then raise the tempo
- With a capo, fingerpicking and small embellishments you can turn a simple song into your own version
Why Christmas Songs with 3 Chords Are Handy for Beginners
Christmas songs with three chords are a good training ground. Because you only have to remember three shapes, you can focus on your technique, your timing and smooth changes. The repetitive nature of these songs gives you confidence quickly. If you want to learn more songs with this structure, also take a look at these easy songs with 3 chords.
Many Christmas songs revolve around the chords on the first, fourth and fifth degrees of a key. In G those are G, C and D, in C they are C, F and G. How such sequences work, you can read in the explanation of understanding chord progressions.
These songs are also perfect for playing together. Everyone knows the melody, so everyone can sing along, regardless of musical experience. That way you combine practicing with the coziness of the holidays.
Popular Simple Christmas Songs to Learn
Some Christmas songs are especially suitable for beginners, because they have a simple structure and a recognizable melody. These songs make a good start:
- “Silent Night”: in G you play this song with G, D (or D7) and C, in C with C, G (or G7) and F. You count the rocking rhythm in three.
- “Jingle Bells”: cheerful and easy to sing along to. You play a simplified version in G with G, C and D or in C with C, F and G.
- “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”: the full version has a few extra chords, but with a simplified accompaniment of C, F and G you can get a long way. Ideal for singing together with others.
- “O Christmas Tree”: a well-known classic with a simple melody, great for practicing your chord changes.
- “Last Christmas” by Wham!: a modern Christmas song built around a fixed sequence of four chords that keeps coming back. A little more work, but doable with some practice.
The Basic Chords for Christmas Songs
As a beginner, it’s smart to first get familiar with the chords that come up most often in Christmas songs. Those are mainly C, G, D, F, Em and Am, sometimes supplemented with A and E. With these shapes you can play a wide range of Christmas songs. Below are the shapes per string, from the low E string to the high e string (the number is the fret, 0 = open string, x = don’t play):
- G: 320003
- C: x32010
- D: xx0232
- Em: 022000
- Am: x02210
- G7: 320001
- D7: xx0212
- F (simplified): xx3211
If you still find the F chord tricky, choose songs in G. There you only need G, C and D. If you still want a song to sound higher, use a capo (see below).
Simple Strumming Patterns, Rhythm and Timing
Rhythm and timing are at least as important as the right chords. A good rhythm makes your playing sound smooth and lets you play together with others. Start with a simple strumming pattern: a downstroke followed by an upstroke (D-U). Repeat this pattern on every chord, so you get an even rhythm.
For a song in three-beat time, such as “Silent Night”, you count 1-2-3: play a bass note or a downstroke on beat 1 and lighter strokes on beats 2 and 3. You count “Jingle Bells” in four and it sounds good with a brisk D-U pattern.
Practice with a metronome to stay consistent in your timing and to avoid speeding up or slowing down. Start slowly and only raise the tempo when it’s tight. How to go about that step by step, you can read in learning guitar with a metronome. Also try different rhythms to discover what suits each song.
Changing Smoothly Between Chords
Smooth chord changes make the difference between halting and fluid playing. It may take a while before you’ve got them down, but with patience you keep getting better. Here’s how to approach it:
- First play each chord on its own and pay attention to the correct finger placement.
- Then change slowly between two chords, for example G and C, still without rhythm.
- Add the strumming pattern at a low tempo and gradually raise the tempo.
You can find more exercises in the tips for changing faster between guitar chords.
Tips for Learning Simple Christmas Songs Faster
- Listen first: get the melody and the rhythm in your head before you start playing. That way you hear better where the chords change.
- Practice in small pieces: for example, first learn the intro or the chorus before you move on to the verses.
- Build up calmly: start with one or two chords and add more as you get more confident.
- Practice regularly: even a few minutes a day makes a difference in the long run. Add a new song or chord now and then to challenge yourself.
- Use online tutorials: videos and chord charts show how a song is played.
- Play together: with friends or other musicians you learn from each other and it stays fun.
Your Own Version: Capo, Fingerpicking and Embellishments
Besides playing chords, there are several ways to play Christmas songs in your own way.
Using a Capo
With a capo you raise the pitch of your guitar without having to learn new chords. Handy when a song sits too low for your voice: you keep the same shapes and put the capo on the fret that best suits your voice. How that works, you can read in the explanation of using a capo.
Fingerpicking and Arpeggios
With fingerpicking you pluck the strings with your fingers instead of with a pick. That gives a delicate sound that suits quiet Christmas songs such as “Silent Night” and, once you’re a little further along, “O Holy Night”. A simple way to start is to play a chord as an arpeggio: you strike the notes one by one instead of all at once. If you want to build this out further, start with fingerpicking for acoustic guitar or learn how to play arpeggios on guitar.
Adding Melody and Embellishments
Once the chords and rhythm are going well, you can play a few melody notes between the chords or let certain notes in a chord stand out. That gives a richer sound. Techniques such as hammer-ons, pull-offs and slides also add extra flair and highlight certain parts of a song. You can practice them with these exercises for hammer-ons and pull-offs.
Vary your strumming pattern too: a little softer in a verse and fuller in the chorus makes a simple song more lively right away. If you sing yourself, you can also transpose a song to a key that suits your voice better.
Playing Together and Building a Christmas Repertoire
Christmas songs with three chords are perfect for playing together, because everyone can join in, regardless of level. For example, organize an evening where everyone brings a favorite Christmas song and you play and sing together. If you want to sing while you play, read how to accompany yourself on guitar while singing.
Also put together a small repertoire that you can play at festive gatherings or just for yourself. Choose songs you like that suit your playing style, and include a mix of cheerful and quiet songs, so you have something for every occasion. Practice them regularly, so they stay fresh in your memory.
Have you just started and are you wondering what to expect? In How Hard Is It to Learn Guitar? you can read which challenges you’ll run into and how to prepare for a successful learning experience.
Frequently asked questions about simple Christmas songs on guitar
What are simple Christmas songs for beginners on guitar?
Simple Christmas songs for beginners are songs with a few basic chords and a recognizable melody. Examples are “Silent Night”, “Jingle Bells” and “O Christmas Tree”.
What are Christmas songs with 3 chords?
Those are Christmas songs that you can accompany with just three chords, on guitar but also on piano, for example. Thanks to their simple chord progressions and familiar melodies, they are popular with beginners.
Which chords are often used in simple Christmas songs?
In simple Christmas songs you mostly come across C, G, D, F, Em and Am. You can play many songs with G, C and D or with C, F and G. These chords are easy for beginners to learn.
Is it hard to learn Christmas songs on guitar as a beginner?
No. Because many Christmas songs have only three chords, they are easy for a beginner to learn. With regular practice and a relaxed tempo, you’ll be playing your first Christmas songs in no time.
Do I need special skills to learn Christmas songs on guitar?
No, a basic understanding of a few chords and a simple strumming pattern is enough to play simple Christmas songs. How long it takes before you get there, you can read in how quickly you can play your first song.
Where can I find chords and explanations for Christmas songs?
You can find them in music books, on music websites and in online tutorials and videos. Chord charts and sheet music show which chords you play where. Whether you really need to be able to read sheet music, you can read in is learning to read music necessary to play guitar?.
How do you play Christmas songs without the F chord?
Choose a version in G, because then you only need G, C and D. If the song then sounds too low for your voice, put a capo on a higher fret and play the same shapes.
Can I sing and play at the same time with Christmas songs right away?
That works best when you can play the chords without singing first. Then start with one strum per chord change while you sing, and only add a full strumming pattern once that goes well.
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