Easy Christmas Songs for Piano, Guitar & Violin
It is November and the Christmas season is approaching very quickly! Whether you’re strumming a guitar by the fire or playing a holiday carol on the piano, music has a unique way of bringing warmth to our homes at Christmas. This season, we encourage you to make music a part of your holiday tradition—whether through your own playing or by sharing a favorite song with loved ones.
Below are some easy Christmas songs for different instruments. We recommend that you start practicing these early so that you are prepared and confident to play for friends and family this holiday season.
Christmas Songs on Piano: Easy
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
We Wish You A Merry Christmas is considered an English Traditional Carol. The original composer is unknown however it is believed that the origins of this Christmas Carol date back to the 16th century. In 1935, the Oxford University Press published “We Wish you a Merry Christmas” arranged by Arthur Warrell. This is the popular arrangement we know now. Did you know that the line “We wish you a Merry Christmas” was a welcome to the owners of the house they were caroling at and the following words about the figgy pudding meant that the carolers would not stop singing until they received their reward? “We Wish a Merry Christmas” is a great carol if you would like to play the piano and sing along. With this version you can just play the right hand melody or if you would like to challenge yourself a little you can also play the chords with the left hand.
Up on the Housetop
Up on the Housetop was written by Benjamin Hanby in 1864. According to William Studewell in “The Christmas Carol Reader”, it is the second-oldest secular Christmas song (the oldest is Jingle Bells written in 1857). “Up on the Housetop” is considered the first Yuletide song to focus primarily on Santa Claus. Here is an easy version of “Up on the Housetop” with both right and left hand parts. You can also simplify it and just play it with the right hand.
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
Unlike the other suggestions above, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree is not an old classic Christmas song. It was written by Johnny Marks (who specialized in Christmas songs) and it was sung by Brenda Lee. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree was first released in 1958. The song did not climb the charts until 2 years later when Brenda Lee became more of a recognized star. Did you know that Brenda Lee was only 13 years old when the now-classic song was released? This version is in the key of C with both right and left hand parts. You can simplify it by only playing the right hand or by learning only the first page to start.
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Christmas Songs on Guitar: Easy/Intermediate
Jingle Bells
Jingle Bells is now one of the most heard songs during the Holiday Season even though originally it was not a Christmas song. Jingle Bells was originally named “The One Horse Open Sleigh” when written by James Pierpont in 1850. Did you know that Jingle Bells was the first song to ever broadcast from space? This version of Jingle Bells is for beginner guitar students.
Silent Night
Silent Night’s melody was written by Franz Gruber and the lyrics by Joseph Mohr. The song was first performed as Stille Nacht Heilige Nacht on Christmas Eve of 1818 where it is reported that Mohr sang the upper solo part and accompanied on his guitar, while Gruber sang the lower part. The original manuscript was lost but was found again in 1994 with Mohr’s handwriting on it naming Gruber as the composer. Did you know that Silent Night has been translated in more than 100 languages? It is the most translated Christmas song! This version of Silent Night as more of an intermediate level, however to make it easier you can just play the notes with the stems going up.
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Christmas Song on Violin: Easy
Away in the Manger
Away in the Manger was first published in 1887 by James R. Murray. Murray credited the Christmas Carol to Martin Luther and in his book Dainty Songs for Little Lads and Lasses, he wrote that Luther had written the carol for his children and that the German mothers still sang it to their children. An American musicologist Richard Hill did some extensive research on Away in the Manger in the 1940s and found that the Christmas Carol was written long after Martin Luther’s time and that he had nothing whatsoever to do with writing the lyrics and or composing any of 41 musical settings of “Away in the Manger. Of the 41 musical settings of Away in a Manger there are two that are more well known – one is more popular in the US and the other is more known in the UK and Ireland. The original origin of this Christmas Carol has not been reached and might never be. Verses one and two of the lyrics are anonymous while the third verse was written by Dr. John T. McFarland. Here is the sheet music for this easier violin version of Away in the Manger.
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As we celebrate this Christmas season, remember that the gift of music is one that keeps on giving. Whether you’re just starting to learn an instrument or picking it back up after a long time, each note you play is a step toward something beautiful!
If you are interested in learning a new instrument or you are wanting to take your playing to the next level we would love to help you. You can contact us via email at info@msilangley.com or you can give us a call at 604-449-2038.
