Christmas time is so special! But to make it even more special would be to play a Christmas song for your love one. There are a lot of great songs that you could sing. One that is near, and dear to me is silent night. This is the place to be for the silent night guitar tab, and a guitar lesson to play the song.
So if your ready to learn silent night. You have come to the right place. Where you will get silent night guitar tab and a beginner guitar lesson. Silent night guitar tab has two great elements. 1. is the silent night guitar Tab. 2. The lyrics to silent night. There is a bonus in this guitar lesson. This is a Video to learn how to play silent night on guitar.
So if your ready lets get started, and first you will want to download the Silent Night guitar tab so you can reference it while your practicing.
Now that you have downloaded the Tab you will notice that it is in the key of A. The song silent night can be played in a lot of different keys. Most often you will find it played in the key of G or A.
This lesson is in the key of A because it makes it easier to play. But you can transpose the key if your voice needs a higher or lower key. If you need to know about transposing the key. Check this link for an eye-opening experience what’s the use of a guitar capo.
What Chords are in the Song Silent Night?
Lets begin with what chords are in the song silent night. Like I said before we are in the Key of A. So chords we are going to use are the A, E, D, E7.
There are 4 open chords in this song. Here’s what they look like when you are making them.
Here is how you position your fingers for the A chord.
As you can see by the chord chart you are playing all on the second fret. You will use fingers one, two, and three to make the A open chord. Like this:
- Your first finger is on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
- The Position of your second finger is on the 3rd string also at the 2nd fret.
- Lastly your third finger is on the 2nd string again at the second fret.
On the A chord, the strumming of the A open chord begins on the 5th string. I will go over how to strum this song. As the timing maybe a little bit different than what you are used to. First let’s go over the other chords in the song. Then we will cover the timing of the song.
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E Major is the Second Chord in the Silent Night Chords Progression
The E chord which is the E Major Chord is next in the line up of chords. Here is how to place your fingers to make the chord. If you need help reading a chord chart click this link.
- First finger is on the 3rd string at the 1st fret.
- Second finger is at the 5th string 2nd fret.
- Third finger directly below your 2nd finger. It is on the 4th string 2nd fret.
- The strumming starts at the 6th string on the E chord.
As you can see unlike the A chord. The E chord you can strum all the strings. When you are playing the A chord you do not want to strike the 6th string.
D Major is one of the Silent Night Chords
Take a look at the D Major chord. Again we are going to use just three fingers. When we play the D Major chord. Just like the other two chords. Here is how to position your fingers to make a D Major chord on the guitar.
- Place your first finger on the 3rd string at the 2nd fret.
- Next put your 2nd finger on the 1st string at the 2nd fret.
- Then your 3rd finger is positioned at the 3rd fret on the 2nd string.
- The strumming starts on the D string. Which is the 4th string.
Like the A string You don’t want to strike 5th or the 6th strings. When you are playing the D chord. If you need to learn more open chords Click the link to first position chords, its free!
You can play this song just with those three chords. But it adds a little bit to the song. If you play it with the E7 also. It adds a little bit of Flavor to the song. Also Once you know how to play the E chord then the E7 is easy.
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E7 is One of the Silent Night Chords
Like I said the E7 is almost like the E Major chord. The difference is that you are not playing your 3rd finger. Basically place your fingers like you were going to play the E chord. Then raise your third finger. Now your playing the E7 open chord. Look like this:
- 1st finger is on the 1st fret at the 3rd string.
- 2nd finger is on the 5th string at the 2nd fret.
- Like the E chord you can strum all the strings.
So there you have the chords we will be using to play Silent night. In order to play the song we need to know a couple of things. One that is really important you will need to know how to move from one chord the next. This is called transitioning. Click the link if you want an easy way to transition between the chords.
Silent Night Christmas Song Beginner Guitar Lesson
Then we need to know the strumming pattern. Timing and the chord progression. So lets dive in, and learn all of the above.
The timing in music that you most commonly hear is 4/4 time. This is 4 beats to every measure. Which is one two three four, one two three four, one two three four, one two three four. There is also 3/4 timing. Which I would say the next popular time that songs are played in.
What’s the Time Signature for Silent night?
This time signature is 3/4 time. So instead of having 4 beats to every measure. The timing is 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3. With the infuses on the one.
When you play like this it is like playing a waltz. The song starts in A. So if we want to put the infuses on the one. We need to play the One note first. Like this: When you are playing the A for example the A note is the root of that chord. We want the infuses on the root note.
To do this on the A chord you are going to pick the A string first. Then Strum the rest of the chord. Get your guitar out and try it.
Place your fingers in position to make the A chord. Then pick the 5th string and strum the rest of the strings. This may feel a little awkward at first. So practice the A until you can play it with no problems.
Then we want to move on to the E chord. To play the E chord in this manner. With a 3/4 time. Position your fingers as if you were going to play it. Then Pick the E string. Which is the 6th string. The Root note of the E chord.
After picking the 6th string you want to strum the rest of the strings. This would be from the 5th string down. Pick the 6th string strum. Now practice playing the E chord in 3/4 time.
Silent Night 3/4 Timing Practice
Now that you know how to alternate strum the A, and the E chord. The next chord on the roster is the D chord. The root note of the D chord is D. You need to play the D string. Which is the 4th string. If you want to learn more about the notes on the fretboard. Don’t miss out on these 11 tips for learning the guitar notes.
When playing the D chord we don’t want to play the 5th or 6th string. Pick the 4th string, then strum the rest. By the way when we talk about the 4th string or 5th string. We are talking about the strings from the high e down.
The high E string being 1. Then it goes down to the 6th string. I’m telling you this because it’s natural to think the 6th string is the first string. Because when you hold your guitar the first string you see is the low E string.
When you play the E7 the E is still the root of the chord. We need to pick the Root of the chord first. Then we strum the chord.
I would recommend practice playing the chords first. Then practice moving between the chords. Then practice Singing and playing at the same time. If you need help playing and singing at the same time take a look at this Ultimate Guide how to sing and play guitar at the same time.
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What’s the Chord Progression for Silent Night?
The chord progression is very important. This is what order you play the chords in. Some songs have a chord progression for the verse. Then the chorus has a different progression. Let’s take a look at what the chord progression for silent night is.
The song starts out with the verse. The chord progression is A, E, A, D,A,D, A, E, A, E, A.
What’s the Strumming Pattern for Silent Night?
The song starts out on the A. The Strumming pattern is Pick the Root note. Which if you remember is the 5th string. Then strum down up down, Pick the root note, and strum Down Down. You do that two times. (Pick, strum, down, up, down, Pick strum down, down).
Then the progression moves to E. The root is the 6th string. In the same way we want to pick the E string. Then we strum down, down. Pick the E string and strum down up down. This time we are just staying on the E for one half the the amount of time.
Also you will notice that the strum pattern is just the opposite as when you played it with the A chord. Then the song quickly goes back to the A. Which is played half the time.
Which is two beats instead of four. It is also played in the same pattern as the E chord. Pick the A string, 5th string. Then we strum down, down. Pick the A string, and strum down up down.
After A chord you play the D chord. 1, 2 3, 1, 2 3. Pick the 4th string, strum down, down, pick down up down.
Move back to the A string. This time you are picking the A string. Then down up down, Pick the string, down, down. 1, 2 3, 1, 2 3. Quickly move back to the D. Play the Same strumming pattern. We just did for the D chord.
E7 Strumming Pattern
Back to the A same pattern for the A chord. Then finally we get to the E. Where we play the E, then the E7. We are at the part of the song. “Sleep in heavenly peace”. That’s where the chord change is. “Heavenly” to be exact the E7 is played. It ends on the A.
You will see exactly where the chord change is in the Tab. If you haven’t got the Tab for the song get it before you watch the Bonus Video. It will help you, and make it a lot easier for you to play it.
If you enjoyed this lesson be sure to check out the inexpensive Guitar Lessons.
Silent Night Guitar Lesson
Thanks for watching this video. Check out the original in the playlist on my YouTube channel. Where there are more beginner lessons. Don’t forget to Subscribe.
If you like the way this guitar in this video plays take a look at the review. This guitar was less than a Benjamine. For the price it’s great. Here’s the link to the best beginner guitar.
More Easy Christmas Songs on Guitar
If you enjoyed this lesson take a look at these. I gathered for you some classic and iconic Christmas songs have fun and Merry Christmas! Easy Christmas Songs on Guitar to Play for Family & Friends.
Related Questions
Silent Night Guitar Tab PDF
This is a great song to learn for Christmas. I like to play it anytime I feel like it. Why restrict it to Christmas. If you haven’t taken a look at the Silent Night Guitar Lesson have a look. There is a lot of good tips that will help while your learning the song. It is at the beginning of this post.
Have fun with the Silent Night Tab PDF. Merry Christmas 🙂 .
Silent Night Lyrics – A Poem for Christmas
This version of the Christmas Song is for beginner guitar players. Silent Night was written By Joseph Mohr on Christmas Eve in 1818.
To Keep The Christmas Spirit. Sharon YourGuitarGuide Sings this Lovely Poem Silent Night, which we now know as a Christmas song not a poem.
Here are the Lyrics to Silent Night:
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night! Son of God love’s pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Source the Lyrics were from Christmas Carol Lyrics
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Here is a Link to another easy Beginner lesson. I hope you enjoy it.
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