Does it matter if you strum your favorite Christmas tunes on an acoustic or electric guitar? For most festive songs, the answer is a resounding no! Whether you pick up an acoustic or plug in your electric, you’ll be able to capture the holiday spirit.
While acoustic guitars offer the grab-and-go convenience, needing less fuss to get started, electric guitars can actually be gentler on your fingertips and surprisingly easy to play, especially for beginners. When it comes to Christmas songs, both types of guitars are fantastic choices.
For songs brimming with a richer chord progression, you might find the versatile tones of an electric guitar particularly inspiring. Conversely, for those simpler, classic carols built around just a few chords, the warm, natural resonance of an acoustic guitar can be the perfect accompaniment.
Are Christmas Carols Originally Written for Guitar?
When you explore chord charts and guitar tabs for Christmas songs online, you’ll notice they are presented in a very guitar-friendly way, making it simple to follow along with the lyrics and chord changes. This accessibility might lead you to think these songs were originally penned with the guitar in mind.
However, that’s generally not the case. Christmas songs, in their origins, weren’t typically conceived for the six strings. Instead, they have been beautifully adapted for the guitar, alongside countless other instruments, allowing musicians of all kinds to enjoy and share them.
Many beloved Christmas carols were actually composed with the piano in mind, or at least with the piano’s rich harmonies and melodies as a strong influence. The arrangements you find for guitar are skillful adaptations, making these timeless songs accessible and enjoyable for guitarists of all levels.
Essential Guitar Chords to Play Christmas Songs
Want to unlock a sleigh-full of Christmas songs on your guitar? Then focus on mastering these foundational open chords:
- G Major: A bright and cheerful chord, essential for countless songs.
- C Major: Another cornerstone chord, warm and versatile.
- D Major: A slightly brighter major chord, adding energy and drive.
- E minor: A touch of melancholy and depth, adding emotional resonance.
- A Minor: Another minor chord that brings a touch of sadness or reflection, perfect for certain carols.
Once you have these five chords under your fingers, you’ll be amazed at how many songs you can play, and a huge number of Christmas favorites will suddenly be within your reach. These are truly the first chords every guitarist should learn. They serve as building blocks, opening up a vast world of musical possibilities, especially when it comes to holiday tunes.
Conclusion
This selection offers just a starting point, a few of our favorite and easier Christmas songs to play on guitar. We hope it inspires you to pick up your instrument and bring some festive music to your holidays. If you have other Christmas song suggestions that are great for guitar, please share them in the comments below – we’re always looking to expand our list and share more musical joy!
