A simplified version of this traditional song O Christmas
song is shown above in the key of F major. The chords and associated chord diagram are shown for each measure. You can listen to the
song played (fingerstyle) with extended chords and more of an improvisational
feel in Audio 1. A slow version of of the song played as written ican be heard in Audio 2. Ok, let's begin.
The melody notes and associated chord will be your
guide in developing the appropriate chord. As a rule of thumb the melody is played on the top two strings (high E and B
strings). The voicing is a matter of preference and
is usually determined by the form of the chord and flow of the progression.
Let's look at the first two bars which contain the melody notes C, F, F,F,and G which is "O Christmas Tree O". The first chord is and F major, however, to begin the process of "jazzing" up this tune we will extend this chord to a major 7th chord. In this instance F major becomes Fmaj7 which contains the notes F (root), A (3rd), C (5th) and E (7th). The chord has been extended to a major 7th by adding the note E.
Audio 1 -Fast, Improvised
Audio 2 - Slow, as written
