Description
In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play the Christmas classic, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” as a solo guitar composition (no jam track needed). I’ll explain how this composition was created so that you can create your own compositions by combining chords and scales.
Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson
Slow Walkthrough
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Video Tablature Breakdown
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Asle V says
I been looking forward to this all year. Thanks a lot Brian !
Michael Allen says
I love the swing feel. It makes it more interesting to me and more desirable to learn. Thanks Brian
Mirabel S says
Absolutely Beautiful, Just in time for Christmas, Thanks Brian,
Myra.
David S says
Hey!Hey!Hey! Christmas song is here Love it!Love it!Love it! Like this style Love the song Thank you!Thank you!Thank you!!!! Dave
SugarmillMan says
I look forward to the yearly Christmas song too. Great job on this!
Dan
Brad S says
Great! Sounds great, looks fun to play, and just full of ideas and snippets that are broadly useful.
Thank you very much!!!
San Luis Rey says
This sounds great on your Gibson Brian!
Brian J says
I just nailed the Jingle Bells lesson from 2019 so the timing on this is perfect!
Jim M says
Happy Holidays All .
brian-belsey says
A great arrangement of this familiar classic tune. Excellent job, Brian!
Robert G says
Hi, Brian,
Thanks for this one!
Congratulations, you’ve managed to take a boring standard and turn it into a fun piece.
Keep up the good work!
JFL says
Great lesson Brian. Man I love that guitar!
Sam G says
Wonderful! A GREAT groove for the Holidays!
Raymond P says
Very very nice Brian,
This will be fun to master.
Thanks
Ray P
Gerald M says
Merry Christmas Brian!
David K says
Once again, week after week, I see this lesson coming out on YouTube before I get a notice in my email. I am a Premium Member.
Also, you seem to be sending two emails each week to the exact, same email address.
You need new IT guys.
Brian says
There are no “IT guys” – it’s just me. and I ALWAYS send the email out on Tuesday – even though the lesson goes live the Friday prior too. There are marketing reasons for doing that … view count goes up, more comments, etc. It’s done that way on purpose. You can always just visit the site on Friday and see what’s new 🙂
Barrie E says
I like the swing arrangement very much (and can be adapted to other familiar Christmas songs. Easy to adapt “We three KIngs” to the same vibe, for example. Just a technical note: the swing tempo is actually half the straight tempo as originally played by you.
Dennis B says
Another fantastic year w/ Active Melody – Thank you Brian
Merry Christmas
Juxi says
Great lesson, Brian. I like the mood you create with your tune. Cool vibe. 👍🏽
Travis P says
Probably a dumb question but how do you know the chords? Do you just look up the chords to the song and then try to fit in the melody?
Andrew W says
the chords are on there, eg. Am and E7
Paul M says
If I heard this tune being played somewhere I would stop and listen-now you have made a ‘stop and listen’ tune available to be played by a very average punter like me. What a great Christmas present you’ve given us all. Many thanks Brian
curtis t says
A great lesson and perfect intro to chord melody
Andrew W says
That’s the coolest Xmas tune i’ve ever heard, luv it!
Charles S says
Just so much fun! although I had to look up the notation above the 22nd fret (it’s been so long…)
“15ma means “quindicesima” in Italian. This is written to indicate that the passage, or notes, should be played 2 octaves higher (or lower if it is written beneath the notes).”
The intro is already so familiar….
Charles S says
duh, 22nd Bar
John P says
I just watched a tutorial on Swing by Jason Ricci, which was highly entertaining as well as educational. So this is awesome. I love this lesson.
Have you ever done an ep on accompanying a harmonica player?
kerstin B says
absolutely lovely piece….more of this jazz/swing type chord-melody stand alone compositions please !!!
Francois M says
So much fun. I’m having a blast with the intro groove.
JoLa says
I love this arrangement, Brian!
Is there a reason why the full tempo mp3 track is not included?
Boomer says
One of my favourite holiday songs, and you arrange it in such a fun and beautiful way, thanks, Brian!
Ronald C says
hi Brain I so much enjoy your Christmas lesson .Having lot of enjoyment and learning so much about the instrument I loved for over 59 years.
THANK YOU
ron cap
RANDY M says
Very nice.
How about JINGLE BELL ROCK?
Wolcott66 says
Never thought it was a great song until I heard the Annie Moses Band do the most incredible and powerful version! If you’ve never heard it, find it and listen. You’ll be hooked.
60sRockr says
This one is great Brian. For some reason. your beginning reminded me of a version of Take 5 by Buddy Merril. It was that kind of jazzy rythmn with a bluesy lead. Then you threw in the Chet Atkins harmonics. Love it !
Rich G says
You are a true Gentlement ;-]
William H says
Sure sounds easier than it is to actually play, at least rhythm wise. For me anyways..
Ronald O says
WOW, Love it! My son and I can jam with it during our holiday celebration!
BRENDAN G says
That tone is fantastic
John G says
Thanks Brian,
I finally got this down after lots of practice a few day before Xmas👍🎸
Merry Xmas🎅
MaryAlice C says
you had me with Jingle Bells. I singed up for yearly as soon as I heard it today. I love how you swing the chord melodies we all know straight. what you are calling solo arrangements I call chord melodies. More please!. Show tunes, pop tunes, Christmas tunes, anything just keeping teaching us how to arrange chord melodies to familiar tunes. . I wish there was a section for all solo or chord melody arrangements and how to get there with simple familiar melodies. Its early August and I will be glued to Christmas tunes all summer. is there a chord melody section ? Please just one that is not Christmas. Im so glad I found this program. thanks. Im really fine with Christmas tunes in a so cal august heat wave.