This week, we present a video on Jingle Bells ukulele chord melody tutorial. For those that don’t enjoy singing, playing a chord melody is an entertaining way to share music without having to sing.
A chord melody combines both the melody and the accompaniment (for example, strummed chords) into a single arrangement that one person can play. With Christmas coming in a few weeks, what better song to try and play a chord melody to than Jingle Bells! In the following video, Jenny demonstrates how to play Jingle Bells ukulele chord melody.
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Jingle Bells Ukulele Chord Melody – Tutorial
In this video tutorial of Jingle Bells ukulele chord melody, Jenny combines different techniques including “pinch” chords, single pluck and standard strum. However, if you are not comfortable with combining “pinch” and strum, you can play the whole song with your thumb. Jenny also shows this method near the end of the tutorial, so don’t miss that. Check out all the techniques shown by Jenny on the video. You can start with the simpler ones that you’re more comfortable with and add up the more complicated ones later.
Jingle Bells Ukulele Chord Melody – Performance
After viewing the lesson video tutorial, you might want to check the performance video as well.
Chord Melody for the Rest of Us
You’ve probably watched and admired videos of the ukulele greats playing chord melodies.
And you thought, “Wow, that is really cool! I wish I could do that but it’s probably too hard for me.” Well, weep no more.
We’ve created a brand new course to give you everything you need to know to get started playing chord melody at an easy level. If you can play the songs in our books, you can learn easy ukulele chord melody with our new course.
Jingle Bells – Five Fun Facts
Here are five fun facts about one of our favorite Christmas song – “Jingle Bells”:
- first song to be broadcast from space
On December 16, 1965, two astronauts aboard Gemini 6 played a prank to Mission Control in the spirit of Christmas season. Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford, the two Gemini 6 astronauts, sent a report that states the sighting of an object that looks like a satellite. They went on with this troubling report of a flying object and then unexpectedly broadcasted their version of “Jingle Bells”. While Stafford rang tiny bells, Schirra played a harmonica to the tune of “Jingle Bells”.
- not originally intended for Christmas
If you notice throughout the song, there is no mention of the word “Christmas” at all. According to some historians, James Lord Pierpont, who wrote the song in the early 1850s, wanted the song for a Thanksgiving service. Nevertheless, “Jingle Bells” is now one of the most famous Christmas song around the world.
- written by J.P. Morgan’s uncle
James Lord Pierpont’s sister, Juliet, married financier Junius Spencer Morgan. Their first son, John Pierpont Morgan, founded the banking institution J.P. Morgan & Co.
- initially named “One Horse Open Sleigh”
On its initial publication in 1857, the publishing house printed the title of the song as “One Horse Open Sleigh”. However, two years later, the song was published with the revised title that included “Jingle Bells”.
- complete song includes a chorus and four verses
Most people, especially kids, are familiar with the chorus and the first verse only. However, the song actually has three more verses aside from the well-known verse that starts with “Dashing through the snow…”
It’s almost Christmas folks!
Before then, how about mastering 21 heartwarming Christmas songs with your ukulele?
This easy to follow book coupled with video tutorials helps you to do just that.
Impress your loved ones during Christmas with your awesome uke skills as you strum out those familiar, lovely tunes.
Named one of the top 10 Christmas books by ukulelemusicinfo.com
