G Major open chord

    04 Dec Easy guitar chords for Christmas songs

    Posted at 13:59h in Guitar & Music Theory by

    Christmas classics with a twist!

    You’re at the beginning of your guitar journey and you’ve mastered the basic chords in the open position (including that F chord) with no muted notes, extended knuckles, fingertips and thumb in the correct position.

    Basic chords, alternative positions

    You’ll be familiar with these chords G C D and Em. Have you tried exploring these chords in different shapes across the fretbaord?

    If not you might want to give these at try to move away from what you know.

    Chords G C & D major.

    G Major

    C Major

    D Major

    Jingle Bells

    You’ll need the following chords G, C & D.

    If you’re super comfortable with the above chord shapes, perhaps try the same chord types but as a barre chord.

    The G barre chord can be from string 6 fret 3, C major, String 5 fret 3, and D major, String 5 fret 5.

    G Major

    D Major

    D Major (alternative)

    C Major

    Open chords to barre chords

    When forming a barre chord remember to keep the first finger straight against the fret creating an “L’ shape with your thumb. The C major barre chord is barred with finger-3 on strings 5 4 & 3 – fret 5.

    Silent Night

    You’ll need the following chords G, C, D and E minor.

    E Minor

    With this song you can practice strumming gently and in time. This is tricky because you’ll need to approach the strumming pattern with care and confidence.

    The melody of this tune can usually be found around the chords too. If you’ve attempted to finger pick in the past try finding the melody within or around the chords.

    We Wish You a Merry Christmas

    The chords you’ll need are: G C D Am

    A minor

    Perhaps spice this song up with the 7th chord too. You could sparingly play G7, C7, D7 or Am7.

    A Minor 7

    G7 is similar to the shape of C, but spread to strings 6, 5, and 1.

    C7 in an excellent chord to practice 4th finger dexterity when changing in time you’ll be placing finger four on string 3 fret 3.

    D 7 is the ‘opposite shape’ to D major

    And A minor 7 is a similar shape to A7 without finger 3. Make sure you can here string three as that’s the 7th note of the scale.

    Joy to the World

    You’ll need the chords, G C & D again 🙂 Perhaps try playing these chords with these alternative chord shapes.

    G Major

    D Major

    C Major

    This Christmas classical could be played with a percussive technique by replacing the strum on beat 2 and 4 with your right hand’s wrist – clenched when hitting the strings over the sound hold.

    Practice plucking the chords with the fingers rather than strumming whilst copying the melody of the tune for the rhythm.

    Follow the melody of the tune with the chords to match.

    Perhaps change the chord type to a 7th or change positions of the chord to a barre or perhaps start with the G chord in position 10 string 5.

    This would be a C chord shape but with fingers 4, 3, & 2. For an extra challenge barre finger one across strings 3, 2, & 1 – fret 7.

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