How to Play Christmas Sheet Music
- Date: 2006-11-27 - Word Count: 630
Share This!
The secret to playing Christmas sheet music is to make the melody prominent, get some rhythm happening underneath and bang out some chords to support the harmony of the song. And, while that may seem like a fairly simple concept, for most pianists it takes some practice. Here are some ideas that may help you.
First let's start with the melody. I think for some reason many musicians forget that the melody is the most important thing. I'll never forget this one time early on in my career when I got a gig with some prominent local jazz musicians. It all started out ok, but eventually we got into some tunes where I didn't know the melody very well. I was playing all kinds of way out improve and the bass player turned to me and said, "Hey man, just play the flippin melody!"
It was kind of embarrassing that's for sure. Anyway, I never forgot that and to this day I always put the melody before anything else. What does that mean? It means to get the melody right and make it the most prominent part of your playing.
The next thing to go along with your melody is rhythm. It's so important that your playing has some feel to it. So often, pianists focus on getting the notes right and therefore lack the rhythm and feel of the music. If you can, play your music along with the radio or a recording. That will help you develop some feel.
Feel comes from playing with others. It comes from bassists, drummers and other instrumentalists. Even now when I'm playing solo piano concerts I can hear the drums and bass in my head and that will be very evident in my left first and sometimes in the right hand as well with rhythmic chords.
And, speaking of chords, you cannot forget to add a good dose of rich chord structures to your playing. Very often Christmas sheet music has chord symbols on it and you can take your lead from those symbols.
If you don't know how to read chord symbols here's a simple rule. If you see a simple triad chord symbol such as "G". That means it's a G major triad or 3-note chord. First plunk down a G then a major third above which is a "B" then a minor third above that which is a "D."
For minor chords the intervals are inverted. A minor interval first then a major interval on top of that. Then if you want to get really fancy add sevenths to your chord voicings. For example; if you see a G7 chord symbol that mean a major triad with another minor third stacked on top. In others word the chord would be in order from bottom to top; G, B, D and F.
If you see a Gmaj7 chord symbol it's the same as a G7 chord except the top note is an F# instead of an F. Or, think of it as a G major triad with another major third stacked on top.
The only other chord symbol is a minor seventh chord or G-7. This would be played as a G minor triad with a minor seventh stacked on top or; G, Bb, D and F.
While this may seem like a fairly simple approach to playing chord symbols it covers at least 85% of all Christmas sheet music. There are other chord symbols which you may come across from time to time but, like I said, that's pretty much it.
So, when practicing Christmas sheet music play the melody prominently and correctly in the right hand, add some rhythmic feel to it and drop in a good helping of chords to back up the harmony of the song. Christmas sheet music will never sound the same again.
First let's start with the melody. I think for some reason many musicians forget that the melody is the most important thing. I'll never forget this one time early on in my career when I got a gig with some prominent local jazz musicians. It all started out ok, but eventually we got into some tunes where I didn't know the melody very well. I was playing all kinds of way out improve and the bass player turned to me and said, "Hey man, just play the flippin melody!"
It was kind of embarrassing that's for sure. Anyway, I never forgot that and to this day I always put the melody before anything else. What does that mean? It means to get the melody right and make it the most prominent part of your playing.
The next thing to go along with your melody is rhythm. It's so important that your playing has some feel to it. So often, pianists focus on getting the notes right and therefore lack the rhythm and feel of the music. If you can, play your music along with the radio or a recording. That will help you develop some feel.
Feel comes from playing with others. It comes from bassists, drummers and other instrumentalists. Even now when I'm playing solo piano concerts I can hear the drums and bass in my head and that will be very evident in my left first and sometimes in the right hand as well with rhythmic chords.
And, speaking of chords, you cannot forget to add a good dose of rich chord structures to your playing. Very often Christmas sheet music has chord symbols on it and you can take your lead from those symbols.
If you don't know how to read chord symbols here's a simple rule. If you see a simple triad chord symbol such as "G". That means it's a G major triad or 3-note chord. First plunk down a G then a major third above which is a "B" then a minor third above that which is a "D."
For minor chords the intervals are inverted. A minor interval first then a major interval on top of that. Then if you want to get really fancy add sevenths to your chord voicings. For example; if you see a G7 chord symbol that mean a major triad with another minor third stacked on top. In others word the chord would be in order from bottom to top; G, B, D and F.
If you see a Gmaj7 chord symbol it's the same as a G7 chord except the top note is an F# instead of an F. Or, think of it as a G major triad with another major third stacked on top.
The only other chord symbol is a minor seventh chord or G-7. This would be played as a G minor triad with a minor seventh stacked on top or; G, Bb, D and F.
While this may seem like a fairly simple approach to playing chord symbols it covers at least 85% of all Christmas sheet music. There are other chord symbols which you may come across from time to time but, like I said, that's pretty much it.
So, when practicing Christmas sheet music play the melody prominently and correctly in the right hand, add some rhythmic feel to it and drop in a good helping of chords to back up the harmony of the song. Christmas sheet music will never sound the same again.
Related Tags: christmast sheet music, christmas carol, christmas caroling, christmas music, sheet music, christmas song, carol of the bells sheet music, piano music
For more information about web design and search engine placement please visit the author's website at http://www.webworkscanada.com
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Kids Halloween Party Ideas
Hard to believe Halloween is just around the corner already. This is a very popular holiday especial - Inexpensive Party Favor Ideas For Party Guests
The cost of a gift is not the most important, but rather the thought behind it. There are different - The Major Benefits of Watching Funny Videos
Funny videos have gained a wide audience all over the world. This is due to the impact it has made i - Handy Things to Know About Concert Tickets
There are a lot of people that spend time and money going to concerts. This makes knowing the facts - Travel Magazine And How To Pick Up A Good Copy
Many people enjoy reading magazines. They are a quick read and can be picked up in many locations. M - Planning the Infamous Holiday Office Party
Ok, so you're in charge of planning the infamous holiday office party. If you've ever seen the TV sh - How to Choose Songs That Are Suited to Your Voice - So You Always Sound Fantastic!
Hello singers! In this article, you'll learn how to choose songs that compliment your voice… so you - Host a Professional Halloween Quiz This Halloween
If you are having a bunch of friends around for Halloween, why not give them a Halloween Quiz? If yo - Discovering How Popular Horror Movies Can Enhance Halloween Fun
Throwing a Halloween party? Why not make it a night with themes from popular horror movies? For, wit - The Art Of The French Revolution
The art of pre-revolutionary France was decidedly frivolous in its subject matter and deliciously de
Most viewed articles in this category:
- The Complete Defenition of the 3D
3D computer graphics as seen on FaceYourArt.comA 3D rendering with raytracing and ambient occlusion - Unlimited Movie Downloads Tips - Pick the Best, Dump the Rest
Unlimited movie downloads have made it much easier for busy folks like us to watch our favorite movi - Get Your Alliance Character To 60 In A Week
You may have looked around on the internet for WoW power leveling guides and come up empty-handed or - Why Do We Gamble?
Why do People Gamble? Gambling is a past-time activity enjoyed by many people. Some play at hom - Video Poker (jacks or Better) Tips
Video poker made its entry in the 1970s. It has proven to be a popular form of gaming. Video poker o - Top 7 Video Games For Children Ages 5 - 8
Many parents worry about the video games available to children today with all the violence. However - Why I Love Strategy Games
A strategy game is one in which the skills of the play and his decision making combine to influence - Prison Break's Wentworth Miller: I'm not Gay
In an attempt to put a stop to the lingering gossip and to clarify his name once and for all, Wenthw - Guys, Valentine's Day will be Heaven or Hell for you...
Guys, I know it's not fashionable to get ahead of yourself for holidays. I don't buy Christmas gift - Comparing 6 String And 12 String Guitars
6-string or 12-string Acoustic guitar, which should you get? Both have pros and cons, and both are e