It is that time of the year, when we bring you the easiest Christmas songs to play on guitar. OK, we know it is very early, but you’ll have enough time to practice these songs until the holidays.
I know everyone loves Christmas because of all gift giving, people being in the good mood and cheerful. It is the time when families and friends get together and enjoy each other’s company. But the Christmas songs (carols) are also a big part of the holiday. Everyone likes to sing them, from kids to older generations. Everywhere you go you can hear “Jingle Bells” or “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”. Did you know that Christmas songs can be traced back to ancient Rome? Ok, those were mostly hymns, but they began the tradition. Christmas songs that we know today appeared around the 19th century when they were popularized by Christmas music books and later by choirs.
Yuganov Konstantin/Shutterstock.com
As Christmas became more commercialized, prominent music acts started recording their own versions of the Christmas songs. There are also those who made the original songs revolving around Christmas themes. Everyone has their favorite, and I personally like The Wham!’s “Last Christmas”. The first time it pops on the radio I know that the holidays have started without even looking on the calendar. In case you are wondering which is America’s favorite commercial Christmas song, it is Mariah Carry’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, at least according to the Billboard. Now, you should know that these types of songs didn’t make it on our list. We decided to go with the traditional ones, mostly because they are so easy to play. Almost all of them use a small number of chords, within the group of basic chords. The general advice is to just follow the tune and strum accordingly. If you are more into playing contemporary music, check out our list of 7 Easiest Bob Dylan Songs to Play on Guitar.
In order to create our list of easiest Christmas songs to play on guitar, I took recommendations from various sites including Guitar World and Matt Warnock Guitar. I also checked various popular YouTube guitar lesson videos that were dedicated to easy and beginner Christmas songs. The ones that were frequently recommended ended up on our list. Note that the chords provided are the easiest versions, but there are many other interpretations available. Let’s check out our list of easiest Christmas songs to play on guitar.
8. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Chords: G, D, C, Em, A7, D7, Am
You will need some more chords than you may like, but they are all basic and easy to catch. The chord distribution is a bit tricky as well, but at least the strumming pattern shouldn’t be too hard.
7. The First Noel
This shouldn’t be hard, even for beginners. The catch is that you can play the song in multiple ways. Some people just strum the chords, others finger-pick them. There is also an option to put a capo on the first fret. The song was first published in the 19th century and so far was covered by notable musicians including Elvis Presley, Whitney Huston, and Bob Dylan.
6. Joy to the World
Another song on the list of easiest Christmas songs to play on guitar that only has three chords. This is the simplified interpretation, but you can also find more elaborate ones if you want to give the song a “fuller” sound. The words for the song were written by Isaac Watts and published in 1791 while the origin of music remains uncertain.
5. Deck the Halls
You can go for the original melody or take a try at the Red Hot Chili Peppers version of the number5 on our list of easiest Christmas songs to play on guitar. Yes, they did record this song, as a joke. The lyrics were written by Thomas Oliphant and first published in 1862 while the music was taken from a traditional Welsh carol.
4. 12 Days of Christmas
The only thing that may be troublesome for some beginners is F barre chord, but the melody is really fun to play, so it will be worthwhile. The tunes used for the lyrics can vary but the arrangement from 1909 by composer Frederic Austin is considered to be the standard one.
3. Silent Night
Here we have the G, D, C chords you have already got used to on our list of easiest Christmas songs to play on guitar, with Em chord pitched in occasionally. The chords distribution is painfully simple, so there is no way you can mess this one. The version of the “Silent Night” sung by Bing Crosby entered in the Guinness Book of Records as the best-selling single of all time.
2. Jingle Bells
You probably already have the melody in your head. Now just follow the chords and strum accordingly. Although Jingle Bells became one of the most recognizable Christmas carols in the history, it wasn’t initially considered a holiday song. The song shouldn’t be confused with “Jingle Bells Rock” which has different lyrics and melody.
1. We Wish You a Merry Christmas
We are at the end of our list of easiest Christmas songs to play on guitar. Although the origins of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” are unknown, it is safe to say everyone knows it. There are plenty of chords you’ll need to pay but the chord progression is very easy, and you do the same thing on each verse. Now, start practicing, since before you know it, Christmas will be here.
