It's perfect for beginners to learn because of its simple 12-bar blues structure, catchy rhythm, and timeless holiday appeal. Playing it will instantly bring holiday cheer and showcase your rock 'n' roll flair!

Here is a quick tutorial for you:

To the full list of Christmas songs

Chords You Need

  • A major:
    Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, and ring finger on the 2nd fret of the B string. Strum all strings except the low E.
  • D major:
    Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the high E string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string. Strum from the D string down.
  • E major:
    Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the G string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, and ring finger on the 2nd fret of the D string. Strum all the strings.
Learn 9 essential chords for beginners

Strumming Pattern

For a beginner-friendly rhythm, use the following pattern:

  • Down, Down, Up, Down, Up

It should sound like this: D D U D U.
This keeps the rhythm lively and matches the rock 'n' roll energy of the song.

Play the 12-Bar Blues Progression

Here’s how to play it step by step:

Start with 4 bars of A: Strum the A major chord for four measures.
Example:

  • Strum 4 times with D D U D U before moving to the next chord.
  1. Move to 2 bars of D:
    Switch to the D major chord and strum for two measures.
  2. Back to 2 bars of A:
    Return to the A major chord and strum for two measures.
  3. Transition to 1 bar of E:
    Play the E major chord for one measure.
  4. Go to 1 bar of D:
    Play the D major chord for one measure.
  5. Return to 1 bar of A:
    Play the A major chord for one measure.
  6. End with 1 bar of E:
    Finish the sequence with the E major chord.

Add Style

Once you're comfortable with the chords and rhythm, you can make it more dynamic:

  1. Palm Muting: Lightly rest the side of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge to create a muted, percussive sound.
  2. Walk-Up/Walk-Down Bass Notes:
    For the A chord, you can add this bassline between strums:

A|-0---2---4--|  
E|------------|  

This gives the song a more "Chuck Berry" feel.

Optional Riff

For the intro or a break between verses, you can play this easy riff:

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

This mimics the signature sound of the original recording and makes your version stand out.

Practice Tips

  • Slow Down: Play at a comfortable speed to ensure clean chord changes.
  • Use a Metronome: Helps maintain consistent timing.
  • Build Speed Gradually: Once you’re confident, speed up to match the lively tempo of the song.

Let me know if you’d like video or visual aids to accompany this! 🎸

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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