As an advanced player, you can bring depth and precision to "Mistress for Christmas" by focusing on nuances like articulation, dynamics, and tone control. AC/DC’s style is deceptively simple, relying on groove, timing, and impeccable power chord accuracy. Pay attention to the syncopation in the rhythm, subtle hammer-ons and pull-offs, and vibrato in the fills. Angus Young’s playing often incorporates bluesy licks, so aim to replicate the feel of the solos and fills with expressive bends and slides.

To the full list of Christmas songs

Tuning: Standard (E A D G B e)

Key: E Major
Tempo: 132 BPM

Intro Riff:

e|--------------------------|
B|--------------------------|
G|--------------------------|
D|--2---2---2---4p2--------|  x4
A|--2---2---2---4p2--------|
E|--0---0---0---0----------|

Advanced Tip: Add slight vibrato to the 2nd fret notes on the D and A strings for extra character. Use controlled muting with your palm to keep the low E string tight.

Verse:

e|-----------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------------|
G|--2---4----------------------------------|
D|--2---4---4-4---4---2-4---4-------------|  x4
A|--0---2---4-4---4---2-4---4-------------|
E|----------2-2---2---0-2---2-------------|

Advanced Technique:

  • Add hammer-ons from the open strings to the fretted notes on the A and D strings for a more fluid sound.
  • Accentuate the groove by emphasizing the downbeats slightly harder.

Lyrics:

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
I just can't wait till Christmas time
When I can roll you in the hay

Pre-Chorus:

e|--------------------------|
B|--------------------------|
G|--2---4-------------------|
D|--2---4---4---2---4---2---|  x4
A|--0---2---4---2---4---2---|
E|----------2---0---2---0---|

Advanced Touch:

  • Experiment with muting the strings between chord changes to add a choppy, rhythmic effect.
  • Play the open E string with a bit of bite for a driving sound.

Lyrics:

Easy come, easy go
Have a good time with lots of dough

Chorus:

e|--------------------------|
B|--------------------------|
G|--4---2-------------------|
D|--4---2---4---2---4---2---|  x4
A|--2---0---4---2---4---2---|
E|----------2---0---2---0---|

Advanced Technique:

  • Add vibrato or slight bends to the top note of each chord for added expression.
  • Use alternate picking on the E and A strings to keep the groove punchy.

Lyrics:

I want a mistress for Christmas!
I want a mistress for Christmas!

Solo Section (Angus Young-Style Licks):

e|-------------------------------------------|
B|--15b17---15b17---15--12-------------------|
G|--------------------------14b16r14--12-----|
D|---------------------------------------14--|
A|-------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------|

e|---------------------------------------------|
B|--15b17r15-12--15--12------------------------|
G|-----------------------14b16---12h14p12------|
D|--------------------------------------14-----|
A|---------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------|

Advanced Tip:

  • Focus on clean bending and controlled release for the bluesy notes.
  • Add slight pinch harmonics for extra aggression in key moments.

Bridge:

e|-------------------------|
B|-------------------------|
G|--4---4---2-------------|
D|--4---4---2---4---2---4-|
A|--2---2---0---4---2---4-|
E|--------------2---0---2-|

Advanced Play:

  • Add palm muting to the open E string for a percussive sound.
  • Slide into the chords from a fret below for dramatic transitions.

Tips for Advanced Players:

  1. Dynamic Control: Alternate between soft and loud strumming to mimic the energy shifts in the song.
  2. Angus-Style Vibrato: Add wide, expressive vibrato to solo notes.
  3. Timing Mastery: Use the subtle swing in AC/DC’s rhythm to give the song its characteristic bounce.
  4. Tone Crafting: Dial in a crunchy overdrive tone with a bright EQ to replicate Angus Young’s signature sound.

With these techniques, you’ll capture both the technical precision and raw energy that make AC/DC’s music legendary!

How to take your guitar playing skills to the next level

The next step to bridging that gap is to explore the step-by-step lessons of the Fretello Learn Path. Not only will you learn how to master all of these chords, but it’ll teach you the basics and beyond including scales, power chords, improvisation and composition techniques, and much more!

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