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Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist

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Based on 24 ratings
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Dan Dresnok

Welcome to Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist. This is a complete Christmas songs guitar course that'll get you ready for the holiday season. Learn 20 of the most popular Christmas songs - each in two different versions, basic & full. The basic versions go through the easy chords & simple tab melodies so you can play them by yourself or with a friend. The full versions are solo tab arrangements of the chords & melody combined.

Any kind of six-string guitar will work well - electric, acoustic, or classical.

Read more

Welcome to Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist. This is a complete Christmas songs guitar course that'll get you ready for the holiday season. Learn 20 of the most popular Christmas songs - each in two different versions, basic & full. The basic versions go through the easy chords & simple tab melodies so you can play them by yourself or with a friend. The full versions are solo tab arrangements of the chords & melody combined.

Any kind of six-string guitar will work well - electric, acoustic, or classical.

Every video lesson in this course has a PDF attachment that you can download, save, & print. These PDFs are the song chords, tabs, and guitar lessons. Be sure to get all the PDFs.

This course begins with a guitar primer to quickly get you up-to-speed with all the basics that you'll need to play both versions of all 20 songs. You'll learn about reading TAB, understanding arrangements, chords, strumming, time signatures, and other valuable techniques.

We'll also discuss the history of Christmas music to get a deeper appreciation for these songs.

This course has three sections: Guitar Basics, Songs - Basic Arrangements, and Songs - Full Arrangements. In Basic Arrangements, I'll strum through the chords, then I'll play back a looped recording of those chords while playing the simple melody (so you can hear how they sound together.) In Full Arrangements, I'll play through each song (solo version) one time - so you'll know how it's supposed to sound.

Guitarists of every level can quickly and easily learn these songs. More advanced players can use the full arrangements for a holiday setlist for guitar gigs & other performances.

I'm glad you're here - let's begin.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • 20 of the most popular christmas songs on the guitar.
  • Basic melody & chords.
  • Get a refresher of the basics.
  • Two versions of each song - basic & full.
  • Solo arrangements.
  • Duet & solo versions or each song.

Syllabus

Learn all the chords you'll need, how to read tablature & song arrangements, rhythm & strumming, counting & time signatures, and also learn the history of Christmas music.
Read more

Learn the names of the guitar strings, how to read tab (tablature), and how to read & understand the arrangements of these songs as well as all written music.  *Be sure to get the PDF documents by clicking the "additional resources" tab in the upper left of the video display.

Learn all the chords used in all 20 songs in the basic arrangements.  *Be sure to get the PDF documents by clicking the "additional resources" tab in the upper left of the video display.

Learn about time signatures and develop various strumming techniques.  *Be sure to get the PDF documents by clicking the "additional resources" tab in the upper left of the video display.  

Learn all about beats, rests, and counting time to help you become more accurate with your tab reading skills.  *Be sure to get the PDF documents by clicking the "additional resources" tab in the upper left of the video display.

Learn the fascinating and ancient history of Christmas music.  *Be sure to get the PDF documents by clicking the "additional resources" tab in the upper left of the video display.

First, I strum the chords, then I play back the looped recording of the chords and play the melody along with it.  Many students like to play the basic melody, but if you're playing with a friend, you should be able to play the chords as well.  

*Be sure to get the PDF documents in the "additional resources" tab.

First, I strum the chords, then I play back the looped recording of the chords and play the melody along with it.  Many students like to play the basic melody, but if you're playing with a friend, you should be able to play the chords as well.  

*Be sure to get the PDF documents in the "additional resources" tab.

First, we'll discuss this arrangement, then I'll strum the chords, then I'll play back the looped recording of the chords and play the melody along with it.  Many students like to play the basic melody, but if you're playing with a friend, you should be able to play the chords as well.  

*Be sure to get the PDF documents in the "additional resources" tab.

I'll play the full arrangement one time, however, when having fun playing these songs, you may play the full version over & over again, or even switch between the basic & full arrangements to create diversity in your own arranging. 

*Be sure to get the PDF documents in the "additional resources" tab.

I'll play the full arrangement one time, however, when having fun playing these songs, you may play the full version over & over again, or even switch between the basic & full arrangements to create diversity in your own arranging. 

*Be sure to get the PDF documents in the "additional resources" tab.

This song is very difficult to keep track of your place in the arrangement!  Count in your head each time you get to the 26th measure, to 1 then to repeat open, to 2 then to repeat open, to 3 then to repeat open, and on until you count to 7, then you can play to the end.  Good luck!!

I'll play the full arrangement one time, however, when having fun playing these songs, you may play the full version over & over again, or even switch between the basic & full arrangements to create diversity in your own arranging. 

*Be sure to get the PDF documents in the "additional resources" tab.

You completed the course - congratulations!  Here we'll discuss ways to continue playing Christmas songs throughout your life.  Thank you for being a part of this course with me and Merry Christmas!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Offers both basic and full arrangements of each song, which allows guitarists of varying skill levels to participate and learn at their own pace
Provides downloadable PDF attachments for every video lesson, which include song chords, tabs, and guitar lessons for easy access and practice
Begins with a guitar primer that quickly gets learners up-to-speed with the basics, such as reading TAB, understanding arrangements, chords, and strumming
Explores the history of Christmas music, which gives learners a deeper appreciation for the songs and their cultural significance
Focuses on popular Christmas songs, which may limit its appeal to learners interested in a broader range of musical genres or styles

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Reviews summary

Learn christmas songs on guitar

According to learners, this course offers a fantastic way to learn popular Christmas songs on the guitar, suitable for various skill levels. Students frequently praise the availability and clarity of the downloadable PDFs containing chords and tabs, calling them indispensable and a lifesaver. The course structure, including a guitar primer and two versions (basic and full) for each of the 20 songs, is considered a unique and valuable approach. While many find the basic arrangements accessible and perfect for casual play, some intermediate players feel the full arrangements jump in difficulty and would benefit from more detailed breakdowns or slower demonstrations. Overall, the course is seen as excellent preparation for holiday playing.
Covers a variety of classic holiday tunes.
"Great selection of classic Christmas tunes. Highly recommended!"
"Good course overall. Covers a lot of classic songs."
"Okay course. The song selection is good."
"Loved learning these classic songs. The PDFs make practicing away from the screen easy."
Instructor is easy to follow and encouraging.
"The instructor is clear and easy to follow. The PDFs are a lifesaver."
"The instruction is clear. I appreciate the structure starting with basics and moving to songs."
"Excellent! ... Instructor is great, easy to listen to and follow along."
"Instructor is encouraging. Basic versions were easy, full versions are a good goal to work towards."
Two versions per song offer versatility.
"Absolutely loved this course! The basic and full arrangements for each song are fantastic."
"Fantastic! Learning 20 songs with two versions gives so much value."
"Solid content. The dual arrangement approach is unique and very useful."
"The basic arrangements are great for jamming with family. The full arrangements are challenging but rewarding."
Downloadable song sheets are highly valued.
"The PDFs are a lifesaver. Great selection of classic Christmas tunes. Highly recommended!"
"Fantastic! Learning 20 songs with two versions gives so much value. The tab and chord charts in the PDFs are indispensable."
"Excellent! The PDFs are a must-have, clearly laid out chords and tabs."
"The PDFs are essential. Would have liked perhaps a bit more explanation on some trickier parts of the full arrangements."
"Loved learning these classic songs. The PDFs make practicing away from the screen easy."
Full versions challenging, sometimes lack detail.
"The full arrangements jumped in difficulty quite a bit, and the single playthrough wasn't quite enough for me to pick it up. Needed to slow down the video..."
"Found this course quite frustrating. The full arrangements are played too fast with only one demonstration. As an intermediate player, I expected more detailed breakdown."
"The PDFs just give the tab, not much guidance on fingering or rhythm quirks for the full versions."
"While many find the basic arrangements accessible, some intermediate players feel the full arrangements jump in difficulty and would benefit from more detailed breakdowns or slower demonstrations."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist with these activities:
Practice Basic Guitar Chords
Reinforce your understanding of basic guitar chords, which are essential for playing the basic arrangements in this course.
Browse courses on Guitar Chords
Show steps
  • Review diagrams of G, C, D, Em, and Am chords.
  • Practice transitioning smoothly between these chords.
  • Use a metronome to maintain consistent timing.
Review Hal Leonard Guitar Method
Supplement your learning with a comprehensive guitar method book to reinforce fundamental techniques.
View Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1: Book Only on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the Hal Leonard Guitar Method book.
  • Work through the exercises on chords and strumming patterns.
  • Focus on sections related to reading tablature.
Strumming Pattern Practice
Improve your rhythm and timing by practicing common strumming patterns used in Christmas songs.
Show steps
  • Learn a few basic strumming patterns (e.g., down-down-up-up-down-up).
  • Apply these patterns to the chords learned in the course.
  • Use a metronome to ensure consistent timing.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Record Yourself Playing a Song
Solidify your learning by recording yourself playing one of the Christmas songs from the course.
Show steps
  • Choose a song from the course that you enjoy playing.
  • Practice the song until you can play it smoothly.
  • Record yourself playing the song.
  • Listen back to the recording and identify areas for improvement.
Explore Christmas Music History
Deepen your appreciation for Christmas music by learning about the history and stories behind the songs.
View More Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book or find similar resources online.
  • Read about the history of several Christmas songs.
  • Reflect on how this knowledge enhances your understanding and enjoyment of the music.
Play Christmas Songs with Others
Enhance your skills and enjoyment by playing Christmas songs with other musicians.
Show steps
  • Find other guitarists or musicians in your community.
  • Organize a jam session to play Christmas songs together.
  • Share tips and techniques with each other.
Create a Christmas Song Arrangement
Challenge yourself by creating your own guitar arrangement of a Christmas song.
Show steps
  • Choose a Christmas song that is not covered in the course.
  • Transcribe the melody and chords of the song.
  • Create a guitar arrangement that combines the melody and chords.
  • Practice and refine your arrangement.

Career center

Learners who complete Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Hobby Musician
As a Hobby Musician, you pursue your passion for music without necessarily seeking a professional career. This course, Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist, is perfectly tailored for hobby musicians looking to expand their repertoire and bring festive cheer during the holidays. Learning 20 popular Christmas songs in both basic and full arrangements is a great way to improve guitar skills and entertain friends and family. The course also offers a refresher on guitar basics, covering chords, strumming, and time signatures, which ensure that your playing remains polished and enjoyable.
See salaries and explore the career path for Hobby Musician
Community Band Member
Community Band Members participate in local musical ensembles, often performing for community events and celebrations. They contribute to their community's cultural life and foster a sense of camaraderie through music. Taking this course, Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist, is a great way for community band members to learn festive tunes for holiday performances. Learning 20 popular Christmas songs in both basic and full arrangements provides a diverse selection of songs to choose from. The course’s focus on chords, strumming, and song arrangements will allow the band to create entertaining shows.
See salaries and explore the career path for Community Band Member
Open Mic Performer
An Open Mic Performer shares their musical talents in casual, public settings such as coffeehouses or bars. This is often a starting point for musicians looking to gain experience and exposure. This course, Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist, provides open mic performers with a set of holiday-themed songs ready for performance. Learning 20 popular Christmas songs in both basic and full arrangements is a great way to engage audiences during the holiday season. The course's solo tab arrangements are particularly well-suited for solo guitar performances at open mic events.
See salaries and explore the career path for Open Mic Performer
Church Musician
Church Musicians provide musical leadership and support for religious services and events. This may involve playing instruments, singing, directing choirs, and selecting appropriate musical pieces. This course, Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist, is particularly valuable for church musicians seeking to enhance their holiday repertoire. With 20 popular Christmas songs taught in both basic and full arrangements, you'll be well-equipped to lead congregational singing or perform solo pieces. The course's focus on chords, strumming, and time signatures ensures accurate and engaging musical performances that enhance the worship experience.
See salaries and explore the career path for Church Musician
Guitar Teacher
A career as a Guitar Teacher can be fulfilling for those with a passion for music and education. Guitar Teachers guide students of all ages and skill levels, helping them develop their musical abilities and appreciation. This course, Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist, may be useful for aspiring guitar teachers, particularly those interested in teaching popular Christmas songs. The course covers 20 Christmas songs in two different versions, offering a range of arrangements suitable for various skill levels. Furthermore, the course provides a primer on guitar basics, reading tablature, understanding arrangements, chords, strumming, and time signatures which are essential for teaching effectively.
See salaries and explore the career path for Guitar Teacher
Music Arranger
A Music Arranger adapts existing musical compositions for different instruments, voices, or ensembles. Music Arrangers often work with popular songs, transforming them to suit a particular performance or recording. This course, Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist, may be useful because it demonstrates how to create basic and full arrangements of popular Christmas songs. The course provides examples of how to combine chords and melodies into solo tab arrangements. This course provides explicit examples of how to take a single song and make multiple arrangements.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Arranger
Music Therapist
Music Therapists use music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. This can involve playing instruments, singing, songwriting, and music listening. This course, Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist, may be useful for music therapists working with clients during the holiday season. Learning 20 popular Christmas songs in both basic and full arrangements provides a repertoire that can be used in therapeutic settings. The course's discussion of the history of Christmas music can also add depth and meaning to music therapy sessions. This course may provide a simple way to bring joy to patients.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist
Band Member
Band Members collaborate with other musicians to create and perform music as a group. Band Members often specialize in a particular instrument or vocal part, contributing to the overall sound and performance of the band. This course, Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist, can be useful for band members looking to add festive tunes to their band's repertoire. Learning 20 popular Christmas songs in both basic and full arrangements provides a diverse selection of songs to choose from. Furthermore, understanding song arrangements enables band members to adapt the songs to suit their band's unique style and instrumentation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Band Member
Session Musician
Session Musicians are hired to play on recordings or live performances, often working in studios alongside other musicians. The ability to quickly learn and perform a wide range of musical styles is crucial. The Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist course may be useful by providing a focused set of holiday-themed songs. Mastering these songs in both basic and full arrangements can equip a session musician with a reliable repertoire for seasonal gigs or recording sessions. Additionally, understanding song arrangement is essential for session musicians.
See salaries and explore the career path for Session Musician
Touring Musician
A Touring Musician travels and performs at various venues, engaging with audiences and promoting their music. Touring Musicians often need a versatile repertoire to cater to different audiences and venues. This course, Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist, can assist touring musicians looking to expand their setlist with festive holiday tunes. Learning 20 popular Christmas songs in both basic and full arrangements is a great way to engage audiences during the holiday season. The course’s solo arrangements are particularly well-suited for solo performances during a tour.
See salaries and explore the career path for Touring Musician
Music Store Employee
Music Store Employees assist customers with their musical needs, providing advice on instruments, accessories, and learning materials. They may also offer basic music instruction or demonstrations. This course, Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist, may be helpful for music store employees who want to better assist customers interested in learning holiday songs. Learning 20 of the most popular Christmas songs can help you recommend appropriate learning materials and offer basic guidance to customers. Understanding the basics of guitar playing and song arrangements helps establish credibility with customers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Store Employee
Songwriter
Songwriters compose original songs, including the melody, lyrics, and arrangement. Songwriters may work independently or collaborate with other musicians or artists. This course, Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist, may be useful for songwriters who want to study the structure and arrangement of popular songs. By learning 20 Christmas songs in both basic and full arrangements, songwriters can gain insights into song construction and arrangement techniques. The course’s emphasis on chords, strumming, and time signatures helps build a foundation for writing catchy and well-structured songs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Songwriter
Music Blogger
Music Bloggers write about music-related topics, sharing their thoughts and insights with an online audience. Music Bloggers often cover a variety of genres and artists, providing commentary and analysis. This course, Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist, may be useful for music bloggers who want to write about holiday music or guitar instruction. The course provides valuable background information for articles or blog posts. You may find that after you learn the material here, you can discuss musical arrangements.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Blogger
Music Journalist
Music Journalists write about music-related topics, including album reviews, artist interviews, and music industry news. They may work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or blogs. This course, Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist, may be useful for music journalists who want to write about holiday music or guitar instruction. The course’s discussion of the history of Christmas music provides valuable background information for articles or blog posts. Additionally, understanding song arrangements helps you analyze and critique different versions of Christmas songs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Journalist
Music Supervisor
Music Supervisors select and license music for films, television shows, and other media productions. They work closely with directors and producers to find music that enhances the emotional impact of the visuals. This course, Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist, may be useful for music supervisors who need to source holiday-themed music for their projects. By learning 20 popular Christmas songs, you gain a deeper understanding of holiday music styles and arrangements. This knowledge helps you make informed decisions when selecting music for specific scenes or productions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Supervisor

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist.
Cover image
Hal Leonard Guitar Method, Book 1
Save
Provides a comprehensive introduction to guitar playing. It covers essential techniques like strumming, fingerpicking, and reading music notation. It is particularly useful for students who want to build a solid foundation in guitar playing before diving into Christmas songs. This book is commonly used as a textbook for beginner guitar courses.
Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1: Book Only
Paperback
$
Hal Leonard Guitar Method, - Complete Edition:...
Kindle Edition
$$
Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1: Bk/Online Audio
Paperback
$$
Hal Leonard Guitar Method, Book 1 - Left-Handed...
Paperback
$
Hal Leonard Guitar Method - Book 1 (Book/Online...
Paperback
$$
Spanish Edition: Hal Leonard Metodo Para Guitarra...
Paperback
$
Hal Leonard Guitar Method, Book 1 - Russian Edition
Paperback
$$
Hal Leonard Guitar Method Beginner's Pack (Book, CD...
Paperback
$$
Spanish Edition: Hal Leonard Metodo Para Guitarra...
Paperback
$$
Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1: Book Only [Spiral...
Spiral-bound
$$
Cover image
More Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of...
Save
Delves into the history and origins of popular Christmas carols. It provides interesting background information and anecdotes about the songs featured in the course. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference. It adds depth to the course by providing cultural context.
More Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of...
Paperback
$$

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Rating
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Effort
3 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Dan Dresnok
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Offers both basic and full arrangements of each song, which allows guitarists of varying skill levels to participate and learn at their own pace
Provides downloadable PDF attachments for every video lesson, which include song chords, tabs, and guitar lessons for easy access and practice
Begins with a guitar primer that quickly gets learners up-to-speed with the basics, such as reading TAB, understanding arrangements, chords, and strumming
Explores the history of Christmas music, which gives learners a deeper appreciation for the songs and their cultural significance
Focuses on popular Christmas songs, which may limit its appeal to learners interested in a broader range of musical genres or styles
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