Make It Your Own: How Young Musicians Can Put Their Own Spin on a Christmas Classic
As November arrives, the excitement of the holiday season begins to fill the air at the Music School International Langley. It is also the perfect time for our students to start learning their favorite Christmas songs.
Instead of wondering what to practice or playing the same familiar tunes exactly as they were written, young musicians can use the holiday season as an opportunity to explore their creativity. A classic Christmas song can become something entirely new with a different rhythm, a fresh melody, a playful beat or a unique musical style. Whether you play the piano, guitar, violin or another instrument, there are countless ways to make a familiar holiday tune your own.
The secret? Start with a song you love, then let your imagination take the lead.
Start with the Holiday Spirit
The holidays are about more than presents and decorations. They are a wonderful time to spend meaningful moments with family and friends, enjoy festive activities and create memories together. You might bake a batch of delicious Christmas cookies, take a stroll through the mall to admire the sparkling decorations, or enjoy an evening surrounded by Christmas lights and your favorite holiday music.
Music is often at the heart of these special moments. A cheerful holiday playlist might include traditional Christmas carols, beloved seasonal classics, contemporary holiday hits and even a few funny Christmas songs to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
As you listen, pay attention to the songs that catch your attention. Is it the catchy rhythm, the beautiful melody, or the way the music makes you feel? These little details can inspire your own musical experiments.
4 Fun Ways to Give Christmas Songs a Creative Twist
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Change the Rhythm and Beat
Take a familiar Christmas tune and experiment with its rhythm. What would Jingle Bells sound like as a gentle jazz piece, a lively rock song, or a relaxed swing tune? Could We Wish You a Merry Christmas become a bouncy pop melody?
Try playing the song slowly, changing the accents, or experimenting with different rhythmic patterns. Even a small change can give a classic tune a fresh personality.
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Create a New Melody
Keep the familiar chords of a Christmas song but experiment with the melody. Change a few notes, add a short musical introduction, or create a new ending. For piano students, trying different combinations of notes. Remember, you do not have to change everything. Sometimes, a small musical idea is all it takes to make a performance stand out.
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Have Fun with Words and Rhymes
For students who enjoy singing or songwriting, familiar Christmas tunes can become the starting point for a little holiday humor.
- Parody your favorite song: With a familiar tune as inspiration, write new, original lyrics about pets, favorite foods, winter adventures, or funny family traditions. Try to keep a similar rhythm so the words fit naturally with the music.
- Create a rhyme remix: Choose a well-known melody and brainstorm playful words or phrases that rhyme. A dancing snowman, a mischievous puppy, or a plate of reindeer-shaped cookies could become the stars of your song.
- Try a silly word challenge: Pick a fun theme and write down eight words connected to it. Turn some of them into rhyming pairs, then use your favorite ideas to create a short, four-line verse.
- Play a fill-in-the-blank game: Take turns inventing funny, original rhyming words to complete a line in a holiday-inspired song or poem. It is a simple activity that encourages creativity and makes music-making fun for the whole family.
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Mix Musical Styles and Instruments
Who says a Christmas classic must sound the same every time? Try giving a traditional carol a modern twist by borrowing ideas from jazz, blues, pop, folk or classical music.
You could also experiment with the instruments you use. A piano and violin might create a beautiful, gentle arrangement, while a guitar and percussion could give the same song a more upbeat feel. These experiments help young musicians develop listening skills, confidence and a deeper understanding of how music works.
Share Your Music and Spread the Joy
One of the best parts of creating your own Christmas arrangement is sharing it with others. Play your version for your family, perform it for friends or collaborate with fellow music students on a special holiday arrangement.
You might be surprised by how differently everyone interprets the same song. One student may turn a carol into a lively jazz performance, while another may prefer a soft, expressive arrangement. There is no single right way to be creative.
At the Music School International Langley, learning music is not just about playing the correct notes. It is also about discovering your own musical voice, exploring new ideas and finding joy in the process of learning. If you are interested in music lessons, please click here for more information.
This holiday season don’t just play the classics, make them your own. You might discover a new favorite way to play, learn something unexpected about music and create a festive performance that is uniquely yours.
Happy practicing and happy holidays from MSI Langley!