| The secret to playing Christmas sheet music is to | | | | add a good dose of rich chord structures to your |
| make the melody prominent, get some rhythm | | | | playing. Very often Christmas sheet music has |
| happening underneath and bang out some chords | | | | chord symbols on it and you can take your lead |
| to support the harmony of the song. And, while | | | | from those symbols. |
| that may seem like a fairly simple concept, for | | | | If you don't know how to read chord symbols |
| most pianists it takes some practice. Here are | | | | here's a simple rule. If you see a simple triad |
| some ideas that may help you. | | | | chord symbol such as "G". That means it's a G |
| First let's start with the melody. I think for some | | | | major triad or 3-note chord. First plunk down a G |
| reason many musicians forget that the melody is | | | | then a major third above which is a "B" then a |
| the most important thing. I'll never forget this one | | | | minor third above that which is a "D." |
| time early on in my career when I got a gig with | | | | For minor chords the intervals are inverted. A |
| some prominent local jazz musicians. It all started | | | | minor interval first then a major interval on top of |
| out ok, but eventually we got into some tunes | | | | that. Then if you want to get really fancy add |
| where I didn't know the melody very well. I was | | | | sevenths to your chord voicings. For example; if |
| playing all kinds of way out improve and the bass | | | | you see a G7 chord symbol that mean a major |
| player turned to me and said, "Hey man, just play | | | | triad with another minor third stacked on top. In |
| the flippin melody!" | | | | others word the chord would be in order from |
| It was kind of embarrassing that's for sure. | | | | bottom to top; G, B, D and F. |
| Anyway, I never forgot that and to this day I | | | | If you see a Gmaj7 chord symbol it's the same |
| always put the melody before anything else. What | | | | as a G7 chord except the top note is an F# |
| does that mean? It means to get the melody | | | | instead of an F. Or, think of it as a G major triad |
| right and make it the most prominent part of | | | | with another major third stacked on top. |
| your playing. | | | | The only other chord symbol is a minor seventh |
| The next thing to go along with your melody is | | | | chord or G-7. This would be played as a G minor |
| rhythm. It's so important that your playing has | | | | triad with a minor seventh stacked on top or; G, |
| some feel to it. So often, pianists focus on getting | | | | Bb, D and F. |
| the notes right and therefore lack the rhythm and | | | | While this may seem like a fairly simple approach |
| feel of the music. If you can, play your music | | | | to playing chord symbols it covers at least 85% |
| along with the radio or a recording. That will help | | | | of all Christmas sheet music. There are other |
| you develop some feel. | | | | chord symbols which you may come across from |
| Feel comes from playing with others. It comes | | | | time to time but, like I said, that's pretty much it. |
| from bassists, drummers and other | | | | So, when practicing Christmas sheet music play |
| instrumentalists. Even now when I'm playing solo | | | | the melody prominently and correctly in the right |
| piano concerts I can hear the drums and bass in | | | | hand, add some rhythmic feel to it and drop in a |
| my head and that will be very evident in my left | | | | good helping of chords to back up the harmony |
| first and sometimes in the right hand as well with | | | | of the song. Christmas sheet music will never |
| rhythmic chords. | | | | sound the same again. |
| And, speaking of chords, you cannot forget to | | | | |