LadyDpiano: Learn Jazz and Gospel Christmas Piano Songs

Every year for Christmas I am asked to play O Holy Night for friends and family. It is a simple chord progression and when you play it over and over through the years it can become a bit boring.

C                 F                  C
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
          Am           G7            C
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.
                      F             C C7
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
          Em             B7            Em
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
  G7                  C
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
    G7              C
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.


Am           Em
Fall on your knees,
    Dm             Am
Oh, hear the angel voices!
  C  G7    C F      C  G7                 C
O night, divine!  O night when Christ was born!
  G  G7    C F      C  G7            C
O night, divine!  O night, O night divine!

  http://www.higherpraise.com/lyrics4/OHolyNight.htm

So how can we spice up this song so it sounds bluesy gospel?

* Change quality of chords from major to dominant chord ( C F7 C )

* Bass Walk Down (C, B, A, G) so C/B F/A

alternate bass note, any note that comes from the l.h. chord (go to E instead of C)
* Bass Walk Up (D E F# G)
* target major= dominant resolution
* target dominant= minor resolution

I wanted to share with you a great online teacher that I have learned so much from and that is Willie Myette.

Learn Jazz and Gospel Christmas Piano Songs

http://www.jazzpianolessons.com
Willie Myette from JazzEDge says:

Whether you're looking to impress your friends this year at your Christmas party or just gather the family around the piano for a sing-along, you'll find the over 3+ hours of step-by-step instruction on these DVDs to be an early Christmas present to yourself and your listeners!
You're going to learn two classic Christmas song arrangements. I break down each song and teach it to you using my clear step-by-step method. This means you'll spend less time practicing and more time playing. Now, you do not need to know how to read music to use this DVD. However, if you do read music, PDF music has been provided for you.
Chords are the building blocks of songs and harmony. It is important to learn chords. But more importantly, you need to understand why certain chords work with certain melody notes. I'm going to break down all of the chords and teach you what notes are needed and which ones are not. I'll also teach you how to determine the best chord for a particular melody note.
I'll also teach you how to apply certain chords to melody notes to get that full and rich sound. No more scratching your head trying to figure out what I am playing. I will explain all of the notes that I am playing plus there is a virtual keyboard that lights up the notes that I play.

In the true spirit of the season, I would like to say "thank you" for your loyalty to LadyDpiano. Wishing you joyful holidays and a new year of peace and happiness.

Merry Christmas!
~ LadyD

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