Playing Level: Beginner - Early Intermediate
If you want to learn Silent Night, you've come to the right place! In the following lesson you'll be presented with three different versions of this timeless classic!
Why three different versions you ask??
Simply because there are three main ways to approach playing this song! Let's take a look at all three:
Version #1: Easy Picking
In the easy picking version, you will focus on only playing the melody of Silent Night one note at a time. This version is perfect for beginners but is fun to play at all levels. As you will see in the video above, the important thing to remember when playing this version is to keep your hand in the first position so that you are using all your fingers to play the melody and not just jumping around from note to note using the same finger (a common mistake that beginners make).
The Easy Picking version begins at 02:10 in the lesson video.
Version #2: Strum & Sing
In the Strum & Sing version you will focus on playing through the chord changes of the song. This will enable you to play Silent Night in a band setting, or to simply strum and sing it on your own! There are only three chords used in this song so as long as you can switch smoothly between the G, D & C chords you're good to go!
The Strum & Sing version begins at 05:35 in the lesson video.
Version #2: Chord Melody
In the chord melody approach to playing Silent Night you will be combining both the chords and the melody on guitar at the same time! This style of guitar playing is absolutely gorgeous. ...It's also a great alternative for those of us that don't sing! Although this style of playing is a little more advanced than the previous two, the arrangement included here is not difficult and is very accessible to any guitarist who is at the early intermediate level or higher. This solo guitar version of Silent Night is ideal for performing in front of friends and family during the holidays!
The Chord Melody version begins at 10:00 in the lesson video.
Which Version Should You Choose?
While all three versions sound great and are fun to play, the version you choose will depend on where you are in your playing and which version you like best. Still new to guitar? Try jumping into the Easy Picking version! Want to try your hand and playing and singing? Silent Night is a great song to start with as it only uses three chords. Looking for a beautiful solo guitar arrangement to possible use for performance? The Chord Melody version is perfect for that! Or, if you're really ambitious, you can play all three!
Whatever you do, have fun playing this beautiful Christmas and leave a comment below letting me know which version you chose to learn!
Merry Christmas! 🎅🏻
P.S. For KGA students that are enrolled in the Kids Guitar Academy Ultimate Christmas Course you will find the sheet music for these arrangements inside the course!
Want to Learn More Christmas Songs? Check out the Kids Guitar Academy Ultimate Christmas Guitar Course!
Learn 16 of the funnest Christmas songs to play on guitar! Each song includes:
- Professional Step-by-Step Lessons.
- Slow & Full Speed Play-Alongs.
- Downloadable Sheet Music & Backing Tracks.
