Music Makes the Holidays
There's something magical about hearing a family member play a holiday song on the piano. It transforms a living room into a concert hall and creates memories that last decades. At Adkins Music Lessons in Gretna, we help students build a holiday repertoire they'll play for years.
Starting Early
If you want to play holiday songs at a family gathering, start learning them at least two months in advance. Holiday pieces often have more complexity than they appear — the familiar melodies can mask tricky left-hand patterns and key changes.
Beginner Holiday Pieces
- "Jingle Bells" — simple melody, great for first-year students
- "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" — teaches basic chord accompaniment
- "Silent Night" — beautiful, slow, and very achievable for beginners
- "Deck the Halls" — slightly more challenging, very satisfying
Intermediate Holiday Pieces
- "Carol of the Bells" — dramatic and impressive, requires good hand independence
- "O Holy Night" — a showcase piece with a powerful climax
- "Winter Wonderland" — jazzy and fun, teaches swing rhythm
Advanced Holiday Pieces
- "Sleigh Ride" (Leroy Anderson) — a full piano arrangement is a genuine showpiece
- "The Christmas Song" — jazz harmony and sophisticated voicings
- Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" arrangements
Make It a Tradition
The best part about learning holiday music is that you can play it every year. Each year, your playing gets better, and the tradition gets richer.
Ask your Gretna instructor to start your holiday repertoire today.