How to Play Silent Night on Guitar (4 Levels)

How to Play Silent Night on Guitar (4 Levels)

Hey guys, Brad Litton from SimpleGuitar.com. This is the write-up of my YouTube lesson on Silent Night — from total beginner melody all the way up to a full guitar arrangement where you play the melody and the chords at the same time.

I think Silent Night is one of the most essential Christmas songs to know as a guitar player, because it was originally written for the guitar. I end up playing this every Christmas season.

Grab the tab for all four levels: simpleguitar.com/silentnight

This song is in 3/4 time — three beats per measure.

Level 1: Just the Melody

One note at a time. Super straightforward.

Start with the third fret on your second string. I like my second finger there, because we only play the first fret at the very end of the song.

First phrase (repeats twice): third fret second string, open high E (first string), open first string, open second string.

Then come up to the fifth fret on your first string, down to two, then back to that third fret.

Third phrase: all open strings with your third and second fret. (Follow the video / tab for the exact order.)

Then back up to the fifth fret (play it twice), then eight, five, two. Then up to three and slide up to seven.

Last phrase: third fret first string, to third fret second string, open second string. Third fret second string again, then the first fret, then second fret on the third string, then third string open.

I play the whole melody together on the video. Rewind, slow it down, practice each section. You can sing along so other people can sing the melody as you play it.

Level 2: Chords (Dotted Half Notes)

Three chords: G, C, and D. Simple G, simple C, and D is totally okay. I'm using fuller chords in the lesson.

Each measure has three beats. I'm just strumming once per measure — dotted half notes. Count 1 2 3. You can get more complicated with strumming later, or use a 3/4 fingerpicking pattern. These are the bones.

Chord map from the lesson:

• G for four measures. Tab version: third finger on second string, third fret, and you're not hitting the first string. That first-measure third fret is the first melody note. Second measure: let that second string go open. Third measure: third fret again. Fourth measure: open.
• D for two measures.
• G for two measures: first of those is a standard full G (second string open, third fret on first string). Then put your third finger back on the second string.
• C for two measures. On the second measure, if you want, put your pinky on the third fret of the first string.
• G (third fret second string, then second string open)
• C again (optional pinky third fret first string on the second measure)
• G (third fret second string, then open)
• D for two measures
• G for two measures. On the second of those, slide up to the seventh fret on the first string (whatever finger you were using on the first string of the G). Play your second, third, and fourth strings open with that high note. That's still a G, plus the high melody note.
• G one measure, D, then G to finish.

Great if you want to sing, or have other people sing along.

Level 3: Chords + Melody Together

Take the Level 2 chords and throw in the Level 1 melody notes. Use a slow brush stroke — almost arpeggiating — so the highest note in each chord stands out. That's the melody.

Start with the G that has your third finger on the third fret of the second string.

When you get to D, instead of only a standard D, go up to the fifth fret and bar your first three strings. Add your third finger to the seventh fret on the second string, and play your fourth string open. That's a D7. Beautiful, and handy later.

Other D option: D with first finger on third string second fret, second finger on third fret of second string, pinky on the fifth fret of the first string, then go to a standard D.

After D7, hit the first string fifth fret one time, then change to a standard D.

Next measure: standard G, hit first string third fret again, then move your third finger over to the second string.

C major, hit first string open, then pinky down on third fret first string.

Tricky bit: hit the C and let as much ring as you can, then play the second fret on the first string. I let go with my third finger, hit the second fret first string and the open first string, then G with third fret on the second string. That's a repeat of the first phrase. Repeat that whole line.

Best time for that D7: fifth and seventh fret, hit first string fifth fret, then pinky on the eighth fret of the first string. Then fifth fret first string, then seventh fret second string. Then G, then slide that up. I use my second finger to block other strings so I don't accidentally get an open fifth string — that sounds like mud.

Then standard G, third fret second string, open second string. Then a D, but I'm only doing the fourth, third, and second strings because the melody note is the third fret on the second string. Then first fret on the second string, second fret on the third, then a G. You can end that G on your third string (melody note) or keep going and add the open second string.

The tab is written simple. You can embellish — different flatpicking, random strings for the chords, whatever. I play through it on the video pretty much like the tab.

Level 4: Relative Minors (My Favorite Version)

Same idea as Level 3, but we change the harmony. Every major chord has a relative minor from the same scale:

• G → E minor
• C → A minor
• D → B minor

Instead of sitting on the major chord for several measures, every measure I'm alternating between the major chord and its relative minor. Totally different feel. This is my favorite version to play for people.

Walk-through from the lesson:

• Start G (ring finger on third fret, second string) and play the melody, then switch to E minor (hit the open second string for the melody note)
• D7, then B minor
• G, then E minor 7 (prettiest chord ever)
• C, then A minor (I have Am7 on the tab; my fingers are fat so I usually play A minor)
• G, E minor
• C, A minor
• G, E minor
• Back up to D7, then G
• Same high lick as before, but I'm adding the open E string. Second finger lightly touching fifth and fourth strings. Sixth string open, third open, second open, third finger on seventh fret of the first string. I hit the second string on the third fret so I can hear that slide — stylistic, optional.
• Rest is pretty much like Level 3, except I've been going first fret on the second, then the second, and a pull-off to the open third string, then G.

Get creative. Pick other strings. Work on whatever level is easiest for you. Silent Night is a song everybody knows and can sing pretty easily — great for Christmas parties.

Practice Tips

• Start at Level 1. Don't skip to Level 4 if the melody isn't in your fingers yet.
• 3/4: three beats. One strum per bar is enough at Level 2.
• Use the tab: simpleguitar.com/silentnight
• Let me know which level you're most excited to try.

If you want a simple place to start, grab my free Top 10 Things to Learn on Guitar First at http://simpleguitar.com/top10.

And hang out with other adult guitar players in the Simple Guitar Facebook group: http://facebook.com/groups/simpleguitar.

About the Author
Brad from Simple Guitar helps adult learners play the songs they love without the frustration. Visit simpleguitar.com for more free resources and lessons.