Christmas Songs for Classical Guitar [PDF]

This book is available for instant download as a PDF.

This series of Christmas arrangements for classical guitar is made up of some of the most popular and beloved tunes of the Holidays. I have tried to preserve the melody, harmony, and structure of the songs you know so well while creating something new and fun with them at the same time. These arrangements fit a fairly wide range of playing ability and so there should be something for just about everyone here.  

TAB Version also available here

Away in a Manger (Grade 4) is a bit different in that it combines the two popular versions of the song (by James Murray and William Kirkpatrick, respectively) into one arrangement. While it is a Grade 4 arrangement, it does use artificial harmonics in the intro and outro, which may require some extra work for the Grade 4 player.

Greensleeves (Grade 3) is a transcription of the lute original from the Ballad Lute Book for the guitar. I have also included an ornamented version (Grade 6) so you can explore Renaissance ornamentation with your own performance.

The First Noel (Grade 4) uses sparse jazz harmonies in places but is fairly straightforward. The "Noel" section from the end of measure 16 to the end is quite challenging for the left hand so I would recommend using the fingering given.

The 12 Days of Christmas (Grade 5) utilizes variations in intervals of thirds, sixths, and tenths on the "my true love gave to me" figure and so will require some left-hand independence work.

Jingle Bells (Grade 7) is reminiscent of a miniature parlor piece by Francisco Tárrega and should be played in that style (glissandos, rubato, and use of tone color and articulation, such as staccato, should give it that classic Tárrega feel). This is the most difficult of the set: there is a lot of movement around the fingerboard and it requires several left-hand stretches and even a few awkward fingerings that will require left-hand independence and precision.

I hope you have as much fun playing these as I did arranging them! Happy Holidays!