Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is an iconic Christmas song and easy for beginners to learn, yet challenging if you are unfamiliar with key changes and using different fingering patterns. Mahalo provides this lesson on both acoustic and electric guitars using their AABA structure, providing valuable context for future learning of other songs you will encounter.
Verse
Christmastime is filled with festive songs that make for wonderful acoustic guitar tunes, from simple carols to the more intricate seasonal tunes and beyond. Beginner guitarists as well as more advanced ones may find these tunes fun to play!
Guitarists typically utilize chord shapes to provide harmony to melodic lines. They may play them all at once or as arpeggios – an method of playing where notes are repeatedly played at rapid speed – like Johnny Marr of The Smiths is well-known for this style of playing.
Another popular Christmas tune, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer is an accessible classic rockabilly tune and simple one to learn on guitar. Featuring lots of 7ths for easy singalong fun with audiences, as well as barre chords, hammer ons, pull offs and plenty of pinky use practice… it makes the holiday spirit truly come alive.
Conclusion
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is an accessible Christmas song to learn on guitar. With just four chords creating a lively rhythm that lends itself perfectly for strumming along and singing along, this tune also serves as an important lesson about following one’s heart and not giving up on dreams; after all, Rudolph and his friends managed to escape the Island of Misfit Toys and find homes where they are loved and accepted!
The Cadd9 chord is an adaptable chord, suitable for use across many musical genres and styles. You may recognize it from pop songs by George Michael like “Last Christmas” and folk-rock tracks by Alaskan singer Jewel like her 90s hit “You Were Meant for Me.” Additionally, its use can add extra flourish to grunge rock tracks like Green Day’s “Good Ridance (Time of Your Life).”
Now that you understand this holiday classic, you can begin spreading joy and holiday cheer through guitar. Practice often and don’t forget to have fun while doing so; every expert started somewhere! Take it slowly and make the music your own.