Easy songs to learn for the Holidays!

Yep, it’s that time of year when the holidays are creeping near! There’s simply no better way to get into that holiday spirit other than making music! Whether you’ve found your old book of Christmas carols to sing, Looking to impress your family with some holiday classics on the piano, or looking to practice a new instrument during the holidays, There are many easy holiday songs that you can perform that will also help develop your musicianship!

Here are ten easy holiday songs that you can master on any instrument in no time!

1. Jingle Bells

Tip: Great for exploring and strengthening your rhythm skills! Try playing this song with some assortments of percussion like a Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Triangle, Sleigh bells, African gourd, Chimes, Boomwhackers, or a Cowbell for fun! 

2. Jolly old St. Nick

Tip: Most easy to play on the piano. If you’re new at the piano, or learning how to play again, you can play the entire melody alone in the right hand! (Try singing along as well, it will help train your ear)

3. Silent Night

Tip: A great song to also practice range on the Flute or Clarinet, or Oboe. With it’s beautiful, simple, high notes, you can also practice phrasing, and proper breathing techniques. It’s a gorgeous song that sounds incredible on the wind instruments, without much effort!

4. Deck the halls

Tip: Great song for Horns! If you play the trumpet, french horn, or tuba. The melodic lines and tempo markings will help great with articulation.

5. Let it snow

Tip: An easy one for singing. Sing the notes do not go to low or high, it’s a great song to gain your confidence with and sound spectacular on! Try singing this in different styles too, Swung Jazz, or with a vocal a capella ensemble, or a folk version with an acoustic guitar.

6. Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer

Tip: A fun song to introduce to very young kids, This song excites kids very much! If you’re trying to encourage your little one to play on their instrument, have them start learning Rudolph!

7. The First Noel

Tip: This song sounds breathtaking on string instruments, Viola, Violin, or Cello! With many repetitive lines this song is easy to memorize on a string instrument too.

8. Feliz Navidad

Excellent song to have with on the guitar, ukulele, or banjo! Have fun really getting into the holiday spirit, and channel that latin vibe. With just a simple verse/chorus/verse/chorus and a catchy beat, you’ll get your friends and family dancing and singing in no time!

9. Frosty the Snowman

Tip: There’s nothing that sounds more better on the sax during the holidays than Frosty the Snowman! You can really play around with that soulful feeling, and dynamics. The notes are easy, and in a sax’s register sounds groovy!

10. Carol of the bells

Tip: Try learning this song with handbells! It will be a challenge at first, but once you practice for a bit, it will become easier and easier. See if you can gather your friends and family to help you as well, and join in on the fun! This tune sounds truly unique with real hand bells!

Once you’ve mastered these songs, create a binder with all of your songs, and look for opportunities to perform them in your community! The gift of music during the holidays sends a powerful message. It’s great to be involved in your school, or church music programs, However you could also try putting on a simple house concert, and invite your friends and family over for the entertainment (also try streaming it online for loved ones that are far away). You could give back to your community this season by performing in Nursing homes, Hospitals, Homeless Shelters, and also caroling down the streets of your city.

Liz Turner has been a voice teacher for over ten years. In addition, Liz is an actress, songwriter, and clarinet player. Sign up for a one-on-one lesson today!