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Guitar Tutorial

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Instructor: Rick Graham
Topic: Chords
Style: Holiday
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    1
    Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Special Performance Rick Graham
    0:47
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    Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Chords Style: Holiday

    Excerpt: Welcome one and all to this very special rendition of the classic Christmas song 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' performed just for you even more special IG'ists. Snuggle up to the roaring fire and don't forget your steaming cup of cocoa because you won't want to miss this...............  

    Media Length: 0:47

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    2
    Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Solo Rick Graham
    1:50
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    Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Chords Style: Holiday

    Excerpt: Hope you all enjoyed that 'special' performance lol! OK, let's get cracking with this rather festive tutorial of an arrangement I made of this classic Christmas song (NO vocals this time I promise!) Watch the solo in full and when you're done head on over to part one where we'll look at the piece in more detail.

    Media Length: 1:50

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    3
    Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Part 1 Rick Graham
    1:27
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    Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Chords Style: Holiday

    Excerpt: Welcome to part one! The opening of this arrangement is very homophonic in nature, using a variety of inversions in block chord format. Take for instance the opening bar. In its most basic form we actually have a c major chord accompanying the melody, however it would be quite boring and a little unexciting not to make use of various inversions at this poin...

    Media Length: 1:27

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    4
    Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Part 2 Rick Graham
    0:55
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    Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Chords Style: Holiday

    Excerpt: This section moves away from the previous homophonic approach and incorporates a lot more changes in rhythm with a more jazzy harmony. It is essential that you sustain the melody wherever possible as it is imperative that it is distinguishable from the accompanying rhythm and bass. More often than not, classical guitarists tend to employ what are called 'r...

    Media Length: 0:55

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    5
    Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Part 3 Rick Graham
    1:01
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    Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Chords Style: Holiday

    Excerpt: OK, now we come to the repeat section which is exactly the same as section 1 up until we get to bar 30. Bars 31-32 may require a little experimentation with left hand positioning if you are using a classical guitar as access to upper frets is restricted. At the end of the piece, see if you can recognize where the rhythmic motif in the melody is from. Not s...

    Media Length: 1:01