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Jingle Bells Guitar Lesson (Bluesy Version) – EP079

Description

Tis the Christmas season yet again, and so I thought it was appropriate to teach a classic Christmas melody that we all know, but with somewhat of a bluesy twist. The end result is this version of “Jingle Bells”. Part 1 is the verse and part 2 is the chorus. Even though I show you how to do this on acoustic guitar, it works really well on electric as well.

Part 1

Part 2

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Slow Walk-Through

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Playing Without Jam Track (Normal Tempo)

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Comments

  1. Brian says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Live

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    • Anne F says

      October 9, 2020 at 12:09 pm

      Hi i’m a prem member beginner and would love to be able to play this . I think i might get there if i could have the tab as can’t quite keep up with Brian. For some reason I can’t open it – I’ve tried different things but just keeps saying ‘ file unsupported – any help greatly appreciated thanks

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  2. willise says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Fantastic!

    Loved your Little Drummer Boy and Jingle Bell Rock versions and play them all the time. This will make a nice addition. How about a jazz version of another carol??? 🙂

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  3. doug.balch@gmail.com says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    That cracked me up.  Got to work on it.  Just nailing the Stax lesson, got to get to work oin the BB King still.  You are working me too hard!!!!

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  4. vernedge says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Neat lesson!  Makes sense, and not real diificult Thanks!

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  5. vernedge says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    t, and makes sense!!  Not to difficult. Thanks

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  6. Bobs Ultra-339 Electric Guitar Level 2 Vintage Sun says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Great lesson , would love to have more lessons using cords to play
    Melodies , that style was used by a lot of the past greats . Jimmy Capps
    Is a master at it. Thanks for all the wonderful lessons. Just wish I could of
    Had this kind of instruction 30 yr. ago

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  7. cwyatt says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Brian, thank your for the Christmas lessons. My wife loves Christmas music so being able to play these songs with more than just strumming away for others is great! I recently broke down and analyzed the CAGED system so I have really enjoyed all your lessons using the different chord shapes and making me think if its say a D shape of A, or C shape of other chords etc. Really enjoying your lessons and appreciate all the time you invest to help the rest of us. Enjoy your holidays and keep up all the great lessons! Very happy I joined your site.

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  8. cheese8800 says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    very nice - thank you Brian. Just inspired me to learn a 2nd song - so I can play at least 2 songs on this holy night…

    http://youtu.be/n38QzjVO894

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  9. garyshoer says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    love these chord based leads, really gets my mind working, hope you can do more of that in the future

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  10. furman says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    OK.. this lesson was the tipping point! I just had to become a premium member. Love your method of teaching.

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  11. Brian Belsey says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    This is huge fun. Great also on a Strat with lots of reverb!
    I hope Brian does more chord melody lessons with, preferably, lots of double stops and hybrid picking.

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  12. MJR1164 says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Lots of fun.  Even got a scroogey curmudgeon like me smiling.  Might Just give it a go.  Thanks.

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  13. Donzo says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Loved the bluesy jingle bells lesson; hope we can do more during this Season.  I have a great interest in chord melody arrangements and would love some lessons on that

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  14. FenderBlues says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Another awesome lesson Brian!  Thanks

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  15. roco says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Thanks, Brian. Merry Christmas!

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  16. A.J says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    great lesson, happy Christmas

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  17. gibbsey says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Loved this style of lesson. More please!

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  18. riverrick says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Another fun lesson. Would love a lesson on melody made with chords. You kinda touched on it in your EP070 lesson. Thanks again for you super lessons.

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  19. skye high says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    I agree with other members comments on chord leads.They are both fun and informative.More of this would be great.Thanks again.

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  20. Kindablue says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Yes to the idea of chord based melody lessons.  Please.

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  21. RFY1760 says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    This has become one of my favorites, although it is still a challenge for me at tempo. 

    I’d like to improvise over some of the verses, including paying the notes of the melody.  I can’t seem to figure out if it should be played in the Emaj or Emin scale.  Anyone know?

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  22. rivet says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    puts a different slant on a old favourite
    thanks Brian Merry Christmas

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  23. A. Minor says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Very creative rendition of JB 🙂

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  24. Tractor says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Hi Brian
    Great one . Yes more of the chord based melody lessons
    will be handy and yes seeing that we are in the Christmas Season perhaps another Christmas Tune. If I may suggest
    one for you to consider SILVER BELLS please
    Thanks for your lessons and a Merry Christmas to you and your family
    Tractor

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  25. phrank says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Hey Brian, I agree with Doug that you’re working us hard but don’t stop. Great lesson and great lessons! Merry Christmas

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  26. Bobcef says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Like the idea of chord based melody lessons.

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  27. flaminglicks says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Awesome lesson!!! Have been a premium member for a while now and am loving it!

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  28. gbhstrat says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Great version, fun and easy to remeber.  I say the first lesson in January should be AC/DC hells bells.  That we we can go from jingle bells to hells bells to pay for what we spent on Christmas.

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  29. Red Dirt Rodeo says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Great Lesson.  I enjoyed the playing the melody with chords and would love to see more!
    Thanks!

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  30. drlknstein says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    very nice lesson…E is great for me.  I know a lot of E riffs to add
    ..and yes, please more lessons using the bottom strings of the chords.

    thanks B.

    Mark

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  31. pips says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    yep, more chord & melody

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  32. orient2k says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Great lesson for the festive seasons.  Many thanks.

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  33. Marg Hay says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Hi Brian, Only part one is now available. Will you have part two and the slow version available again?

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  34. Brian says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    @Marg Hay Part 2 and the slow version are available.  This may be a browser setting - try using Google Chrome and see if that doesn’t work better

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  35. Marg Hay says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Thanks Brian. It’s fine on my laptop (I use chrome on a mac). It must have been an iPad issue. Love this lesson!

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  36. Sylvia says

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    I really do like melody chord lessons.  Please do teach more for us.
    Thanks, -Sylvia.

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  37. Fredie says

    September 21, 2015 at 8:44 am

    Hi Brian just found the Christmas section have got on really nice with jingle bells, I have got it half decent in two weeks may be a long time for some of the more talented student,but I am 76 and a bit of a wrinkly and was surprised how quickly I picked it up (but you know how good your instruction is, so I wont go there) .I was just wondering if there will be another Christmas carol this year. as I’m not keen on the drummer boy and would love another carol
    Cheers Fred W

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  38. Sten Kjellsson says

    October 1, 2015 at 5:34 am

    Yes, giveusanotheronethisyear
    Says Stene from Sweden

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  39. rosco4457 says

    November 2, 2015 at 10:15 pm

    Yes Brian, i like this method of playing chords to the melody and i want more video lessons like this one, there great.

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  40. rosco4457 says

    November 2, 2015 at 11:14 pm

    Also Brian i would like a lesson on the style of Jimmy Capps, the nice old guitar playing fool and gentle sheriff on Larrys Country Diner

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  41. Fredie says

    November 10, 2015 at 1:31 am

    Brian will you be able to give us another Christmas song lesion this year,I have done the other two and they sound great,not up to full speed yet but good for me (2nd gear I think) but I’m getting there Cheers Fred W

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    • Brian says

      November 10, 2015 at 8:15 am

      You bet – I’m working on one right now 🙂

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  42. Fredie says

    November 10, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    Great I’m looking forward to it,
    This is a great this Active Melody you even get the main man who replies to your requests
    thank you Brian Fw

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  43. Bill W2 says

    November 15, 2015 at 12:16 pm

    Fantastic a year later! Much needed

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  44. john l says

    January 8, 2017 at 4:15 pm

    Hi Brian,
    Love this lesson — was hoping to have it ready for 2016 Christmas family gathering….didn’t make it…oh well, gives me some christmassy to practice on throughout the year for xmas 2017… One comment I would throw in would be to have the closed captioning option on the premium lessons as well. My hearing isn’t what it used to be (due to a large degree from exposure to loud music in my 20’s — ironic, no?)…anyway, just a thought. thanks again, John…

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  45. Don B says

    July 3, 2018 at 8:22 pm

    Brian: Yes to the lessons emphasizing chords. Thank You.

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  46. DABEE says

    September 8, 2018 at 1:02 pm

    thank you for this lesson. I am planning ahead for Christmas, learning them songs NOW!. I sure would love to have the video breakdown to play along with at slower speeds. Any chance of updating that Brian?

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  47. Billy Ray says

    October 16, 2018 at 11:42 am

    Great lesson Brian. I’m learning it without using a pick! Sounds good. Thanks.

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  48. Eric S says

    December 3, 2018 at 6:21 pm

    Great lesson and a fun song to boot. I’m opening up my set this Friday (private corporate party) with this one, backed by the MP3, before the rest of the trio starts up. It’ll be a blast. Thanks!

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  49. Jim C says

    December 14, 2018 at 4:45 pm

    Fantastic! Please include more chord/melody lessons. Thanx!

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  50. ELWIN B says

    May 12, 2020 at 1:50 pm

    Loved the jingle bell how about jingle bell rock.

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  51. greg p says

    November 19, 2020 at 8:02 am

    Still a great lesson! Fun to play. Thanks!

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  52. John O says

    November 28, 2021 at 4:26 pm

    ROCKABILLY ROCKS!!

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  53. patrick m says

    December 12, 2021 at 1:18 pm

    I see this came out in 2014 – but here I am Dec12, 2021 and learning it for XMAS 🙂 Sounds great and it has a nice “swing” feel to it. Great song

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  54. Brian J says

    February 6, 2023 at 10:30 am

    I really enjoyed the melody with chords, a lot of fun to play. Keep up the fun.
    Also would love more Gospel songs, thanks

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