Blue Christmas
Common chords, straight forward rhythm and first position harmonica with only an optional single bend make this a great Christmas song to put together on guitar and harmonica
Blue Christmas - Lesson on Guitar and Harmonica
Lesson Info
Difficulty: The guitar is easy and the harmonica is as well. The challenge comes when putting the two together but there isn't any syncopation or rhythms to mess you up.
Lesson Length: 5:03
Instructor: George Goodman
Help File: The following link supplies the chords and lyrics for Blue Christmas.
Blue Christmas Chords and Lyrics download pdf link - for educational purposes only.
Gear Used
Takamine EG541SC
I am playing my black tak in this one.
This is a Takamine G Series EG541SC bought in North Carolina when I was playing in a band called Double Take.
Specs:
Top - Solid Spruce
Back - Nato
Sides - Nato
Finger Board - Rosewood
Electronics - TK40
Finish - Gloss Black
Check out more Takamine G Series Guitars
The HarpArm® EZ-Rack Pro is the world's first magnetic harmonica rack (holder) that provides multiple degrees of adjustability!
I am playing Blue Christmas in first position, key of G.
I am playing a Hohner Special 20 in this one.
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Musical Challenges
For Harmonica - Single Notes: To make the melody stand out, playing single notes sounds great with this one. Bleeding a note here and there can sound good as well.
Playing single notes on harmonica is covered in the membership video series Harp N Guitar Harmonica Essentials
Guitar - simple chords and strumming is covered in Guitar Essentials.
Video Timeline
0:00 - Introduction
We are going to stick to easy chords, a simple strumming rhythm and first position harmonica which limits the need for bending.
0:25 - Guitar Chords and Progression, Harmonica Key and Rhythm
We are in the key of G, using a G harmonica and employing a simple quarter note rhythm with muting.
1:48 - Harmonica Talk
The key of the song is G with the predominant chords being G and D7.
Learn when to blow or draw for each.
3:07 - Play it Through
A rough cover, good for demonstration. Play along with me.
Things To Note
This was recorded in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia in December 2018 without much preparation. Obviously, I'm reading the tabs while playing.
Let me know, how it goes, leave a message below.
Peace. Stay in tune my friend.
George
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3 responses to “Blue Christmas – G Harmonica”
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Hi George! Merry Christmas!! Thank you for this Blue Christmas lesson. I am enjoying it. I just played my guitar to it and later I will be adding my harmonica. I am ready to get my harmonicas out now and really focusing on all your lessons. Thank you again, and Have a happiest joyful New Year!! 🙂
Hello George. Thank your for your lessons. I’m a nearly 60 years old harmonicaplayer from Switzerland an I enjoy to follow your lessons.
The lessons inspire me and it’s fun to get good input again and again.
I wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Stay in tune
Eric
Hello Eric.
Comments like yours inspire me to keep creating new lessons.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Peace,
George