"20 Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist" is a 49-page instrumental collection arranged by guitar teacher Dan Dresnok. This book is designed for guitar players of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced students. The arrangements are suitable for any six-string guitar, including acoustic, electric, and classical models.
The Dual-Arrangement System This book uses a unique format to accommodate different playing styles and ability levels. Every song in the collection is presented with two distinct versions.
Basic Arrangements: These versions focus on the single-note vocal melody. They include standard music notation, guitar tablature (tabs), and chord symbols. These are designed for beginners learning to read tab, guitarists who want to play the lead line while a friend plays chords, or for accompanying a singer.
Full Arrangements: These versions combine the melody and the harmony into a single solo piece. This style is often called "chord melody" or "fingerstyle." These are designed for intermediate to advanced players who want to perform complete songs without the need for vocalists or backing tracks.
Included Songs The book features 20 classic carols and holiday songs. Each track includes both the Basic and Full arrangements:
Angels We Have Heard On High
Auld Lang Syne
Away in a Manger
Come All Ye Faithful
Deck the Halls
Go Tell It On the Mountain
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Good King Wenceslas
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Jingle Bells
Joy to the World
O Holy Night
Oh Christmas Tree
Silent Night
The First Noel
The Twelve Days of Christmas
We Three Kings
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
What Child Is This
Technical Features In addition to the sheet music, the book provides helpful references to ensure you can read and play the music accurately.
Notation and Tab: All music is written in both standard notation and guitar tablature.
Music Theory Review: Includes a review section on time signatures, repeat signs, and alternate endings to help you navigate the charts.
Flexibility: The arrangements allow you to switch between playing simple melodies and complex solo pieces depending on your needs for a performance or practice session.
This collection provides a practical way to build your holiday repertoire, whether you are playing for a family gathering, a recital, or your own enjoyment.