Archive for the ‘Music’ Category

Peter Edvinsson asked:

You can learn to play the popular Christmas song Silent Night on your guitar even if you don’t master sheet music. You will use guitar tablature that will show you where to put your fingers!

What is guitar tablature!

It is a way of showing you how to play a melody on your guitar without using sheet music notation. Instead you will use digits indicating the strings to play and frets to use. Ordinary guitar tab notation uses a staff with six lines representing the six strings.

In this guitar lesson you will only use digits. I have found that staff notation can be distorted on article sites so the following notation is safer. You will find ordinary guitar tablature notation on my site capotastomusic.

As mentioned the Christmas carol Silent Night is a popular song and you will find Christmas sheet music for this song and other carols all over the internet. It’s harder to find easy guitar tab notation for these type of songs. We will first take a look at the modern English lyrics of the first verse.

Silent night, Holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin Mother and Child

Holy infant so tender and mild

You will now learn the melody on your guitar one line at a time with the help of guitar tablature. Let’s start:

Silent night, Holy night

0/3 2/3 0/3 2/4 0/3 2/3 0/3 2/4

0/3 means that you play the third string without pressing down a fret. 2/3 tells you to press down the second fret on the third string. In other words, the digit before the slash indicates the fret to press down and the one to the right of the slash tells you which string to play.

Let’s continue with your guitar tablature melody:

All is calm, all is bright

3/2 3/2 0/2 1/2 1/2 0/3

Which left hand fingers should you use?

Of course you can use your index finger playing all notes. However, I recommend that you play the melody in a way that will prepare your fingers for more difficult pieces of music in the near future.

This fingering means that you play all notes on the first fret with your index finger, the notes on the second fret with your middle finger and the notes on the third fret with your ring finger.

The advantage is that you can keep your hand in the same position as you play, it will be easier to find your way around and when you have been used to this fingering you will also be able to play melodies faster if that is required.

The drawback is that it initially feels awkward to play this way. Often your ring finger might have a hard time obeying your commands. My advice is to hang in there and your fingers will get used to their new tasks on the guitar fretboard.

Here’s the next guitar tablature notes:

Round yon virgin Mother and Child

2/3 2/3 1/2 0/2 2/3 0/3 2/3 0/3 2/4

The next line of lyrics will have an identical row of guitar tablature notes:

Holy infant so tender and mild

2/3 2/3 1/2 0/2 2/3 0/3 2/3 0/3 2/4

By the way, you can use your right hand thumb to pick the notes! Here’s the next line:

Sleep in heavenly peace

3/2 3/2 1/1 3/2 0/2 1/2 0/1

And here’s the final guitar tablature:

Sleep in heavenly peace

1/2 0/3 2/4 0/3 3/4 0/4 3/5

I recommend that you learn this melody by heart one line at a time. The tab notation is only a means to help you find the notes. Learning melodies by heart will give you a growing repertoire with songs to play when you see a guitar hanging around.

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Peter Edvinsson asked:

In this guitar lesson you will learn to read a special type of guitar tablature. We will use the song White Christmas as an example. You will learn to play the melody and the chords on your guitar.

Guitar tabs show you how to put your fingers on the guitar fretboard in order to play a song, chords or something else.

A very common type of tabs has a staff with six lines representing the six string on the guitar and numbers showing which frets to press down.

In this lesson we will use a form of tablature with numbers telling you which fret and which string to play. Here is an example:

24

The first number tells you which fret to press down and the second number which string to play. These two numbers tell you to press down the second fret on the fourth string.

Let us take a look at the first line of the Christmas carol White Christmas and the corresponding melody written with this type of guitar tabs:

(C)I’m dreaming of a (Dm)white (G7)Christmas

24 34 24 14 24 34 44 03

As you can see the first note to play is the second fret on string four. The last note 03 tells you to play the third string without pressing down a fret.

I have also included chord suggestions in brackets in the lyrics immediately before the appropriate syllable.

The chords C-major, D-minor and G7 can be played as follow:

C: 35 24 03 12 01

Dm: 04 23 32 11

G7: 36 25 04 03 02 11

Time to continue with the next tabs:

(F)Just like the (G7)ones I used to (C)know

23 02 12 32 12 02 23 03

I suggest that you assign your left hand fingers to play specific frets on your guitar fretboard according to this table:

index: first fret

middle finger: second fret

ring finger: third fret

If you use these left hand fingering suggestions it will be easier for you to find your way around the fretboard as you can keep your left hand in a relatively fixed position as you play. It might be a little bit tricky at first but with practice it will soon be a natural way to play on your guitar.

Time for the next tabs:

Where the (C)treetops (C7)glisten and (F)children (Fm6)listen

35 04 24 24 24 23 03 35 35 35 03

The chords C7, F-major and F-minor6 can be played:

C7: 35 24 33 12 01

F: 34 23 12 11

Fm6: 04 13 12 11

Here is the end of the first verse:

To (C)hear (Am)sleigh bells in the (F)snow (G7)

34 24 34 24 04 35 04

The chord A-minor can be played:

Am: 05 24 23 12 01

I suggest that you memorize the melody by practicing one line at a time. Then you are prepared to play the melody as soon as you find a guitar around.

The next verse starts with an identical melody but the last two lines have changed.

(C)I’m dreaming of a (Dm)white (G7)Christmas

24 34 24 14 24 34 44 03

(F)With every (G7)Christmas card I (C)write

23 02 12 32 12 02 23 03

May your (C)days be (C7)merry and (F)bright (Fm6)

35 04 24 24 24 23 03 12

And may (C)all (C#dim)your (Dm)Christma(G7)ses be (C)white

35 04 24 24 23 25 25 25 35

The chord C#-dim7 can be played:

C#dim: 15 24 03 22 01

In this type of guitar tablature notation you will not find any indication of the length of individual notes. I suggest that you sing the melody as you memorize the lines to get the rhythm right.

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Eztracks asked:

This holiday season, the Web will have an abundance of free Christmas music available for downloading. This includes many different types of songs written for the mid-winter celebration. Christmas songs that are traditional, but do not have religious content, are called carols. Some of the more popular Christmas carols include “Deck the Halls” and. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Songs like “O Come All Ye Faithful” that do express religious sentiments are known as hymns. There are also songs written for movies that do not have specific Christmas themes, but are thought of as Christmas songs because they are associated with the mid-winter festivities. These include songs like “White Christmas” and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.” Of late, there are even songs that parody the traditional Christmas music that has become so well-known to all of us.

Music has been a major feature of the Christmas holiday since ancient times. According to Christmas song historian Bill Petro, the first chants, litanies, and hymns were in Latin and too theological for popular use. The 13th century found the rise of the carol written in the vernacular under the influence of Francis of Assisi. The word carol comes from the Greek word choraulein. A choraulein was an ancient circle dance performed to flute music. In the Middle Ages, the English combined circle dances with singing and called them carols. Later, the word carol came to mean a song in which a religious topic was treated in a style that was familiar or festive. From Italy, it passed to France and Germany, and later to England, everywhere retaining its simplicity, fervor, and mirthfulness. Music in itself has become one of the greatest tributes to Christmas, and includes some of the noblest compositions of the great musicians.

“Interestingly enough,” reports Petro, “during the British Commonwealth government under Cromwell, the British Parliament prohibited the practice of singing Christmas carols as pagan and sinful. Its pagan roots in the 13th century and its overly “democratic” 14th century influences made it an unsuitable activity for the general public and it was to be mandated so, by the Commonwealth government of 1647.” Puritans at this time disapproved as well of the celebration of Christmas, according to Petro, and did not close shop on that day, but continued to work through December 25. During this brief interlude in English history, during which there was no monarch, this activity by the populace was to remain illegal. But this activity was prohibited only as long as the Commonwealth survived, and in 1660, when Charles II restored the Stuarts to the throne, the public was once again able to practice the singing of Christmas carols.

Today, many people wonder whether “Christmas” is truly a religious celebration honoring the birth of Christ or a commercial celebration of winter. In truth, it is a mixture of both. Clearly, new technology allows more people than ever before to enjoy the Christmas season. If Christ and the Apostles were alive today, they probably would be downloading Christmas MP3’s.

Download Christmas Music for free on our site.

You can also download and listen to Top Christmas Songs on our site.

To read articles about Christmas music visit our blog

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Jen Seo asked:

(New York, NY) November 12, 2008 – Get into the Christmas spirit with all the holiday decors, homemade holiday cookies, eggnog, family gatherings and jolliness galore! Christmas songs are enjoyable for most people due to the nostalgic memories of happy childhood pastime. This year starting on November 11th, EZ-Tracks is here to help embellish your holiday spirits by giving away free Christmas songs every day until Christmas, December 25th, 2008.

Everyday, EZ-Tracks will have a different Christmas song for users to download – completely 100% free and legal! All free Christmas music downloads and 50,000 free songs from EZ-Tracks are universally compatible in mp3 format and easy to transfer to iPods or mp3 players.

Listen and download all 50 Christmas songs and put them in a shuffle for your next holiday party. Whether you are going around the neighborhood singing Christmas carols, having a get-together with friends, family dinner or holiday party with co-workers, enjoy the holiday times and sing along with EZ-Tracks’ free Christmas music.

Also, EZ-Tracks is making it easier to spread the Christmas joy with EZ-Tracks’ free Christmas Song of the Day widget. EZ-Tracks’ free Christmas Song of the Day widget is easy to use, just copy and paste the HTML code onto any personal websites such as MySpace, Facebook or Blogs. Visit http://www.ez-tracks.com/xmas.html today for your free Christmas music downloads.

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About EZ-Tracks

Started in 2001, EZ-Tracks.com is owned and run by Atrinsic, an interactive media company specializing in the development of proprietary content geared towards providing internet and mobile communication solutions.

EZ-Tracks.com is a free and 100% legal MP3 music download website. EZ-Tracks.com offers over 50,000 free songs, from virtually every conceivable genre. Popular songs are included as well as recordings from top musical recording artists.

About Atrinsic, Inc.

Atrinsic, Inc. (NASDAQ: NWMO) (New Motion, Inc. dba Atrinsic, Inc.) is one of the fastest growing digital advertising and entertainment networks in the United States. Headed by a team of Internet, new media, entertainment and technology professionals, Atrinsic, Inc. (previously operating as New Motion, Inc.) was founded in 2005. The company is headquartered in Irvine, California with offices in Seattle, New York, and Moncton, Canada. Atrinsic, Inc. was recently called “a company to watch” by Wireless Business Forecast, and their mobile content capabilities were named a “rival to those of their mainstream-media counterparts” by Wired Magazine.

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Suie Roberts asked:

Al you need to make a jingle bells musical instrument is…

16 metal bottle caps, paint, brass nails, sandpaper, hammer and some scraps of wood.

First paint the out side of the bottle caps a nice metallic colour. Spray paint is quick and easy, but applying paint with a brush is just as good.

When the paint is dry, use a large nail and hammer to make a hole in the centre of each cap. Have the cap sitting face up as it would do on the bottle, that way the rough edges are created on the inside of the ‘bell’.

The bells are fixed to a piece of wood, roughly 2cm by 3cm and 28cm long. Give the wood a good sanding so that it doesn’t have any rough surfaces. You could paint or varnish the ‘handle’ if you wish to.

Working on one side of the handle at a time, attach the capes in pairs with the insides of the caps facing one another. Push a brass nail in the holes of the caps and offer it up to the wood.

Place the first set of bells 5cm away from the end. Don’t hammer the nail in too far into the wood. The bells need to move freely on the nail and clatter together.

The second set should be 8.5cm away from the end.

The third set should be 12cm away from the end.

Now turn the handle over to attach bells to the other side. Use scraps of wood to prop up each end of the handle so that it is clear off the workbench. Otherwise you will spoil the bells that you have already attached.

Add bells in pairs in the same way as you did on the other side, but this time the first set of bells 1.5cm away from the end. Add the other sets of bells so that they are level with the bells on the other side of the handle.

Then turn the handle over to attach the remaining set of bells. Again use scraps of wood to prop up the handle.

And there you have it, a set of jingle bells. Young children should be supervised when playing the jingle bells.

If you find it difficult to obtain bottle caps, you could ask an adult to approach a public house or bar, they have no use of the caps. You could also maybe write to a local brewery requesting some bottle caps. Alternatively look in the winemaking department of Boots or Wilkinsons for new bottle caps.

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Merryl Lentz asked:

‘Tis the season to be jolly — and to learn a few things, as well.  Don’t worry, though — you won’t have to stop decking the halls with boughs of holly, drinking your eggnog, or sneaking kisses under the mistletoe to attend any classes, or write the equivalent of a Masters thesis.  Just take a quick, fun break and find out where Christmas carols and the lyrics that we love come from.

The word “carol” dates back to Medieval times, and refers to a dance people did in a circle as they sang music and lyrics that expressed joy.  By the 14th century, carols’ lyrics conveyed religious themes.  Most of today’s beloved carols and lyrics were written during the 18th century.

Here are a sleighful of those songs, and the often-surprising origins of their music and lyrics:

“Jingle Bells”

This bright tune and its festive lyrics were originally written for a church Thanksgiving program in 1857, and called “One Horse Open Sleigh.”  It received such an enthusiastic reaction that its music and lyrics were showcased again on Christmas, and it has been associated with Christmas ever since.

“Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”

This carol melds the work of two composers a century apart.  Written by Charles Wesley in 1739, the song’s lyrics were set to slow, somber music.  In 1840, Felix Mendelssohn created a cantata celebrating the invention of the printing press.  William H. Cummings, a British musician, then adapted Mendelssohn’s music to Wesley’s lyrics, giving birth to today’s version of this popular Christmas carol.

“Silent Night”

The music and lyrics of “Silent Night” have made it a superstar of Christmas carols.  The lyrics originated as a poem written by Austrian priest, Joseph Mohr, in 1816.  When the church organ broke on Christmas Eve, 1818, Mohr rushed the poem to his friend Franz Xavier Gruber, a guitarist, and asked him to set it to music.  The poem was transformed into lyrics, and Gruber composed its music and played it on his guitar in time for Midnight Mass.

“The Twelve Days of Christmas”

Despite the lighthearted Christmas game that is often played with this song and its entertaining, memory-defying lyrics, it was actually created under dire circumstances.  From 1558-1829, it was illegal to practice Catholicism in England.  Written to secretly educate youngsters about their faith, its lyrics are filled with symbolic religious references.  Some of those lyrics include “my true love,” which referred to God, “two turtledoves,” which equated to the Old and New Testaments, and “three French Hens,” which represented the virtues faith, hope and charity.

“White Christmas”

OK, this song doesn’t date back to the 1700s or 1800s, but its poignant music and lyrics are timeless.  Written by Irving Berlin in 1940, Bing Crosby’s soulful 1947 rendition of the tune’s classic music and lyrics is unrivalled as the best-selling single ever recorded.  Since then, it has been covered by hundreds of musicians, from Ella Fitzgerald to Elvis Presley to Twisted Sister.

These carols and their lyrics are not only beautiful, eternal songs, but they have the power to unite people in a spirit of love and joy — which one of the best Christmas presents anyone could get!

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Catherine Spelling asked:

The Twelve Days of Christmas is one of the most famous Christmas carols ever written. It has been sung for a great many years, and is known the world over. To most it is a delightful hymn, but it was originally created with a very serious intent. In England between the years of 1558 and 1829, it was illegal to practice Catholicism in public or private. It was essentially a crime to be Catholic in England during those years.

The Twelve Days of Christmas was written to help preserve the traditions of the Catholic faith during the years that Catholicism was banned in England. The song is steeped in symbolism, and the fact that it is so well known throughout the world is a testament to the faith of the followers of the Catholic doctrine. The symbols contained in the song are as follows:

1st verse – “True Love” refers to God.

2nd verse – “2 Turtle Doves” refers to the Old and New Testaments.

3rd verse – “3 French Hens” refers to Faith, Hope, and Charity.

4th verse – “4 Calling Birds” refers to the Four Gospels or the Four Evangelists.

5th verse – “5 Golden Rings” refers to the first five Books of the Old Testament.

6th verse – “6 Geese-a-laying” refers to the six days of creation.

7th verse – “7 Swans-a-swimming” refers to the seven sacraments.

8th verse – “8 Maids-a-milking” refers to the eight beatitudes.

9th verse – “9 Ladies dancing” refers to the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

10th verse – “10 Lords-a-leaping” refers to the Ten Commandments.

11th verse – “11 Pipers piping” refers to the eleven faithful apostles.

12th verse – “12 Drummers drumming” refers to the twelve points of the Apostle’s creed.

I love this song. It is, by far, my favorite Christmas carol. I had no idea about the symbols contained in the song, until I googled the song lyrics one afternoon. I find it very interesting that a song we all know so well could contain so many hidden meanings. I would never have guessed that it was anything more than lovely Christmas carol. It’s always nice to learn something new, especially about the wonderful celebration of Christmas. I hope you learned something, too. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

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Gianni Truvianni asked:

hout much room for doubt, safe to say that no other holiday (religious or secular), or day of the year or time of which has so much in the way of music dedicated to it; as does Christmas. This in a tradition that goes back through the centuries as far as the middle ages. However it was during the years of the reformation that a lot of the music connected to Christmas was banned as was the celebrating of Christmas itself. This being caused by the believe of those who stuck firm to the notion that since Christmas was not mentioned in the bible; it ought not to be celebrated; as doing so would be an act of sin. With time however Christmas celebrating was brought back as was the music connected to it which in the last 100 years has become connected more with carols and songs then with the church orchestral music which those of centuries prior used to associate this time of year with. Christmas music now a days can be for the most part divided in to two categories; they being carols and songs, with carols concentrating on the religious side of Christmas and all that has to do with the birth of Christ, such as the virgin Mary, the town of Bethlehem, angels and the star which guided the three wise men to the place of Jesus’ birth. Carols include such numbers as “Oh, Come O’ Ye Faithful” “Joy To The World” and “Silent Night” which as stated in this paragraph capture the essence of what in fact is being celebrated and that being the birth of Christ. It is songs like these that make for a quit evening at home, perhaps around a fireplace, if one happens to have one though I am reminded of my youth in New York. This being not because I had a fireplace but because it was in New York that channel 11 would play Christmas music exclusively from 9 pm till midnight of the 24th of December. All the time showing nothing on the screen but a fireplace with one burning log. I guess channel 11, figured most people would be limiting themselves to listening to the music and not watching what was on the screen. It however seemed strange to me that after watching the log burning for sometime; I started to get a feeling of warmth which no doubt must have been created by my mind as it is highly doubtful that the TV set would have radiated more heat because of this image. As for Christmas Carols; I would also say they offer relaxation from the hustle and bustle that is the Christmas season. All of which includes the need to plan how we will spend this day along with the shopping done; in more often then not crowed stores, as we look for bargains or that perfect gift for that certain someone. It is from this that we can come home to a lovely melody of the season which for us older folks would be accompanied by a cup of coffee with brandy while the younger ones may enjoy a cup of hot chocolate which would not be just right without those marshmallows. Where carols focus on the religious side of Christmas, songs do so on all the rest that is connected to this time of year, which includes the commercial angles of shopping and decorations plus the sentimental side of Christmas that makes people come together. As some examples of Christmas songs one could mention “White Christmas”, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”, and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”. It is songs such as these that have contributed perhaps even more then carols to Christmas being so vastly celebrated through out the world. As in an age when people are turning away from believe in God, they may find something in songs that put emphases on simply having a good time or being together in sharing our love of humanity. Christmas songs can also be very good for bringing out the joy of giving presents or receiving them as well as being close to one’s loved ones; weather they be our children or parents or just that special romantic relationship; one may be involved in at the time of Christmas. As these songs remind people of the simple way two people can share this time of year. In a way where little other then each other’s society is required. Songs like “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” or “I’ll Be Home For Christmas or “Blue Christmas” are the ones I have in mind when it comes to expressing such ideas. As for myself, I have always enjoyed listening to such songs with my wife in a romantic setting where our tree of the season is never out of sight. When it comes to Christmas songs, “Jingle Bells” is arguably the most popular of all and yet strangely enough the lyrics of this song have almost nothing to do with Christmas as they do not even mention it by name for that matter. “Jingle Bells” actually was not originally released as a Christmas song but a pop song about winter which for the reason that most countries in the north celebrate this time of year during their cold months has come to be considered as a Christmas song. It in my opinion is a nice little piece which most children through out the world have heard and though it has no real connection with Christmas it is always a lot of fun and has even been covered by “The Three Tenors” on their Christmas Album of 2000. “Jingle Bells” however is not the only song to become popular during Christmas simply because it makes reference to the snow and cold to be found in most of the northern countries as “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” or “Let It Snow” or “Winter Wonderland” do likewise whilst also failing to use the words Christmas or even Santa Claus. As for myself, I particularly like the song “Sleigh Ride” and its merry melody which also does not say anything about Christmas but gives the listener plenty to be merry about. This song can also be found on the Christmas album by “The Three Tenors”. Another variety of Christmas song which has become popular is those which are basically of little difference from romantic songs other then they tell of a romance during Christmas time. “Last Christmas” by the pop group “Wham” perhaps is a perfect example of how such feelings are not being kept out of this kind music which tries to cater to feelings that might arise during this most special time of the year. So, lovers need not feel excluded as there are many such songs to fill the hearts of those who really care little for anything that concerns this season; save being with the one they love above all else in a romantic way. As for my taste when it comes to such romantic Christmas songs, it leans toward the ones recorded so many years ago by those now legendary performers, like Dean Martin (real name Dino Crocetti and who incidentally died on December 25, 1995), Doris Day, Bing Crosby and who could forget Frank Sinatra, “the voice”. It is these singers that have been played on my stereo many a time during Christmas; as there is something in their renditions of songs like “A Winter Romance”, “I’ve Got My Baby To Keep Me Warm” and some of the ones already mentioned that in my opinion truly brings out the romance that some of us now associate with this time of year. Christmas perhaps most of all is enjoyed by children as to them everything is new and the presents they get are of most importance to them then anybody else and it is for them that some songs have been specially written. For instance “Frosty, The Snowman”, ( not really a Christmas song, as it does not mention it) truly captures the spirit of this time of year in the countries of cold with its happy melody reminding all, specially the young that they need not fuss with school and may go out and build all their imagination and snow will allow them to. Of course, there are a variety of songs for this time of year; some of which are simply about Christmas partying such as Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” or Slade’s “Merry Xmas Everybody”. It is songs like this and several others which for the most part are nice songs to even dance to in a party setting with drinks and general good cheer. However in this that be music of the season, John Lennon also contributed a song called “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” which undoubtedly captures the ideas of this time of year while throwing a bit of a political view as it makes reference to American participation in what become known as the Vietnam War. This song however in spite of its politics and reference to a war which has been over for over 30 years is still popular and was even covered twice by my idol, Placido Domingo. First with Sarah Brightman and then with his fellow tenors, Carreras and Pavarotti. Christmas songs however come from all over the world and many times some of the songs we believe to be from our country; turn out to be from overseas and were translated in to our language. For instance “Silent Night” (composed by Mohr and Gruber) comes to us from Austria and because of this we can imagine that it was originally written in German; as is the case. France for instance has given us “Oh, Holly Night” while Spain is not without classics of its own such as “Ay, Para Navidad”; so it is this Christmas that I urge those who enjoy music of this season to try some songs from other countries. If for no other reason then just to see how they differ from those in our own countries. Poland for instance has a nice song called “Dormi Bambino” which thanks to Carreras having a Polish girlfriend at the time ended up being performed by “The 3 Tenors” on their Christmas album which I recommend to all, even those who be not fans of classical music. When it comes to Christmas songs, they not only are not limited by international boundaries but by musical styles as songs of the season have been covered from artist as diverse as “The 3 Tenors”, McCartney, Lennon, Slade, Brian Adams, Steve Vai, Kenny G, Kenny Rogers in styles of music that include country, disco and recently even hip-hop. I however always incline to the traditional arrangements as those are the ones I grew up on. In conclusion I would say there is no denying the influence Christmas has had on music as there is no denying the same for what music has meant to Christmas, for what would be this season without those songs we grew up with? Songs which we perhaps sang in school, which will last forever as will this day, therefore it is with this in mind that I suggest to all who enjoy Christmas not to exclude those songs and carols which like the tree itself will bring to our homes that spirit of giving which is so abundant during this time of year known as Christmas.

Peter Edvinsson asked:

In this lesson you will learn to play the melody to a popular Christmas song without the use of sheet music. You will also learn to play three easy chords together with the melody. Let us start!

O Christmas Tree is a Christmas carol of German origin. O Tannenbaum is its original name in German.

A Tannenbaum is German for a fir tree or Christmas tree. The melody to this Christmas song is an old folk tune and the best known lyrics comes from a Leipzig organist and teacher named Ernst Anschutz in 1824.

Here is the first verse in the English version:

O Christmas Tree O, Christmas Tree

Your branches green delight us!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Your branches green delight us!

They’re green when summer days are bright

They’re green when winter snow is white

O, Christmas Tree, O, Christmas Tree

Your branches green delight us!

The first thing we will do is to locate the middle C on your keyboard. On an ordinary piano keyboard it is located in the middle of the keyboard sometimes near the keyhole if there is one.

On a common piano keyboard you will find that the notes C-B are repeated along the keys. One such row of notes are called an octave and since the middle C is located in the fourth octave on an piano it is sometimes called C4.

Even if your keyboard is smaller with less octaves middle C is still called C4.

We will now take a look at the melody to O Christmas Tree and the chords you can play with your left hand. We will begin with the melody together with the lyrics:

O (F)Christmas Tree O, Christmas Tree

C4 (F)F4 F4 F4 G4 G4 G4 G4

The (F) in the lyrics and melody indicate that you shall play an F-major chord with your left hand together with the note after the chord. How then do you play an F-major chord?

There are many ways to play an F chord but here is an easy example for your left hand:

F: C3 F3 A3

C3 means that you play a C in the octave to the left of the C4. Play the three notes in the chord together as you play the following right hand note.

Time for the next line:

Your (C7)branches green de(F)light us

A4 (C7)G4 A4 Bb4 E4 (C)G4 F4

The note Bb is the black key immediately to the left of B.

As you can see it is time for a new chord, C7. Here is a suggestion for that piano chord:

C7: C3 E3 Bb3

Now you have to repeat the previous lines before we proceed with the next part:

They’re (F)green when summer (C7)days are bright

C5 (F)C5 A4 D5 C5 (C7)C5 Bb4 Bb4

C5 is the C in the octave to the right of C4.

Time for the next line:

They’re (C7)green when winter (F)snow is white

Bb4 (C7)Bb4 G4 C5 Bb4 (F)Bb4 A4 A4

Now we only have to repeat the first two lines and we are done!

O (F)Christmas Tree O, Christmas Tree

C4 (F)F4 F4 F4 G4 G4 G4 G4

Your (C7)branches green de(F)light us

A4 (C7)G4 A4 Bb4 E4 (C)G4 F4

I suggest that you learn this little song by heart one line at a time. Practice every line first with your right hand melody until you master it. Then it is time to add your left hand chords. When you know a line by heart with melody and chords it is time to proceed with the next line.

Before you know it you have completed the song and can contribute to the Christmas spirit in a new setting!

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Ben Levanger asked:

Christmas music plays an important role in spreading the principles of Christianity. Christmas music was generated to sing and praise Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Christmas music covers a range of themes including trust in the Lord, hope, discipleship, love and praise. Nowadays, numerous websites provide excellent Christmas music downloads, which are either offered free or for a small initial payment.

There are many professional websites which are providing facilities for better quality and faster Christmas music downloads. Listening to your favorite Christmas carols and hymns is the best way to enjoy the holiday season in the company of your family and friends. Christmas music download services allow you to choose and download different categories of Christmas music whenever you want them.

With the popularity of the internet, there is no need for people to go shopping for their favorite Christmas music, as they can instantly download it at their home with ease. Leading search engines can assist you with several links of websites offering download services. Christmas music downloads enable you to secure your favorite Christmas music including Christmas piano music, free mp3 Christmas music, Christmas orchestra music, and music midi files. You can also get classical and contemporary music from various websites. Downloading Christian music from websites offering them is always much more cost-efficient than buying the music CDs from music retail stores.

Christmas music downloads most often comprise music that is freely made available and does not come under any copyright law. This includes music that is primarily meant to spread the message of Christianity. However, some of these websites allow the user only to listen to music online, and requires them to pay for download. While selecting the websites for downloading Christmas music, it is important to choose the legal websites which are safe for downloads. Websites providing Christmas music downloads make available rare Christmas songs that are appealing in their variety.

Selection of websites offering quality Christmas music should be made on the basis of the technical support available, downloading speed, ease of use and quality of music. Once the downloading is complete in your PC, you can burn the downloaded music files into CDs, or transfer them into an iPod or any other handheld system. Christmas music downloads give you access to Christmas songs from different musicians, enabling you to create your own virtual library and enjoy beautiful songs whenever you wish to do so.

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