The holidays were meant for music. Any activity you can think of, from wrapping presents to baking cookies, is more festive with your favorite music playing in the background.
We’re sharing a few interesting ways to make your holidays more musical. Plus, you can celebrate the holiday season by getting 50% off all 12-month plans at ArtistWorks and learn with any of the iconic musicians teaching on our website.
Learn how to play a Christmas song
We have something that will really make your yuletide bright. Holiday music is known for beautiful jazz chord progressions, but few rival the timeless and nostalgic favorite, “Christmas Time is Here,” written by Vince Guaraldi for A Charlie Brown Christmas in 1965.
In this video, ArtistWorks jazz guitar instructor Dave Stryker teaches how to play it for solo guitar. Learn it and it will be a perfect encore for the most wonderful time of the year.
Create a custom holiday playlist
Want to spice up your holiday playlist? Add in some contemporary tunes that could become your favorites. Over the last couple decades, hundreds of artists have recorded holiday favorites in almost every musical style from rock to reggae, and from country to jazz. The fun is in choosing something that fits your taste. Here are ten we love.
“Little Saint Nick” – The Beach Boys
“So This is Christmas” – John Lennon
“Silent Night”—Mike Marshall
“Soulful Christmas”—James Brown
“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – Darlene Love
“Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight)” – Ramones
“Deck the Halls”—Tony Trischka
“The Christmas Song”—Dexter Gordon
“Mount Fuji Christmas”—Paul Gilbert
“Auld Lang Syne”—James Taylor
Which ones will help make your season merry?
Make an ornament from sheet music
Add a touch of music-inspired elegance to your holiday decor! Here are six fantastic ways to make Christmas decorations from sheet music. https://craftgossip.com/6-christmas-decorations-made-from-sheet-music/
We particularly liked these festive trees because they are easy to make and look terrific. But any one of these holiday crafts will put a delightful musical spin on your mantle shelf.
Give a musician an online lesson (or two!)
If you want to give a bandmate or musician friend a really special gift, buy them online music lessons recorded by one of their favorite musicians. ArtistWorks offers lessons with some of the greatest rock, jazz, classical and bluegrass musicians of all time and they are currently offering 50% off all 12-month plans.
ArtistWorks also offers a unique Video Exchange® platform that will enable them to get feedback from these world-renowned instructors in the comfort of their own home. Give yourself or a loved one the gift of learning music this holiday season and enjoy it all year long!
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