I know it is taboo to start singing Christmas Carols before Thanksgiving, but those of us who are musicians know it is a necessary evil.
I’ve begun to introduce piano and ukulele book options for the Holiday season for my students this week. And I’m including them here for easy access.
Piano Books at the top of my list include:
FABER:
- Faber’s PreTime Piano Christmas (Primer Level for Beginning Reading) $7.50 — This book is great for beginners and anyone who wants to play some easy breezy Christmas tunes. The songs are centered on Middle C with thumbs sharing that note. It uses five fingers (both hands) with no moving on the keyboard. Pros: simple piano music, classic songs; mix of traditional / sacred and popular songs. Cons: just one verse of each song; no chords for guitar or ukulele; not a lot of songs Faber Pretime Piano Christmas
- Next up in the Faber line is the Adult Piano Adventures Christmas book. This is probably my favorite multi-level Holiday book. There are SO MANY songs in this book! It has three sections, each going up in skill level. You will get many years of enjoyment out of this book. Pros: Most songs have multiple verses (which is great for singing around the piano); some songs come with chords for guitar or ukulele accompaniment; with 32 songs there’s a good variety of traditional/sacred and popular songs to choose from. Cons: not for beginners; a few songs I’ve never heard of. Regardless, this is my go to book. Faber Adult Piano Adventures Christmas
- There is also a Faber Adult Piano Adventures Christmas Level 2. $9.99. Some new songs from its green brother, and the playing level increases. Again here there are multiple verses to most songs. Pros: Some new songs that are hard to find elsewhere (O Holy Night). Cons: Many repeated songs (albeit at a more challenging level); no songs with chords. Faber Adult Piano Adventures Christmas level 2
Faber also has smaller books for Christmas music, but these are mostly repackaging of what you will find above. The exception being: Faber’s DuetTime Piano Christmas: Level 1 . $6.50. This book is on par with the Faber Green Adult Piano Adventures Christmas Book, Level 1, but it offers side-by-side duets for students and teachers, and would be a nice addition if the student has some one else at home who plays. Both Primo and Secondo parts are the same level. Pros: fun to play with another pianist. Cons: just 8 songs, no chords. Faber’s DuetTime Piano Christmas Level 1
ANDREA DOW’s Very Useful Piano Library
Andrea and Trevor Dow have a wonderful series of funny, fun-to-play books called the Very Useful Piano Library. The books increase in difficulty as they go up the alphabet. There are four Winter offerings:
- Chillin’ On the Black Keys — Level B. $11.95; for very beginners. Though not Christmas related this fun Winter themed, pre-reading, book will get newbie students laughing as they learn finger numbers, quarter, half and whole notes. VU Level B Chillin’ On the Black Keys
- Fa, La, La Late For Christmas — Level F. $11.95; This book is in 3/4 time. Students use both hands, with thumbs sharing Middle-C position. There are timed note-reading tests and rhythm drills interspersed between the songs. The songs are mostly fun twists on familiar Christmas tunes. VU Level F Fa La La Late For Christmas Andrea Dow
- Sledward’s Ice and Easy Songbook — Level H. $11.95; for mid-primer students. Songs are in c-five finger position (not middle c centric.) This is Winter oriented, and not Holiday oriented. No Christmas Carols here, just lots of fun. VU Level H Sledward’s Ice and Easy Songbook
- Comet’s Freezing Cold Carol’s — Level K. $11.95; for late primer students. Songs are in C and will help students work on playing hands together, quarter rests, stepping and skipping etc. Filled with cute twisted Christmas Carols plus timed note-reading tests and rhythm drills. VU Level K Comet’s Freezing Cold Carols
UKULELE
Last but not least Ukulele Christmas Books
When looking for a good Uke book consider whether you want to mostly strum chords or pick TAB. Before you buy any Uke (or Guitar) book I suggest you preview it and make sure it is right for you. Here are two of my favorite Ukulele Christmas Books.
- 3-Chord Christmas Carols for Ukulele. $12.60 This book is packed with 30 Christmas Carols. The songs have been simplified so there are just 3 chords, the chord forms are at the top of the page and chord names embedded in the song. Songs are shown with the melody line in standard notation , which is great if you know how to read music, but they also give you an opening note in chord form for those who don’t read. Most songs have multiple verses. Pros: easy to read, nice big format; multiple verses; easy chords, good mix of songs. Cons: no TAB 3 Chord Christmas Carols for Ukulele
- Ukulele Christmas Songs Tabs and Chords by Michael Mohring. $12.95. With 25 songs this book covers a lot of music. Songs are presented with Standard notation, TAB and Chord names (Am embedded in the song verses the chord form). Pros: Nice mix of songs (including some harder-to-find ones); well detailed TAB. Cons: Smaller format makes it harder to read; most songs only have one verse; no chord forms; advanced chords; lots of chords per song — so have yourself a merry little chord chart at the ready. Ukulele Christmas Songs TABS and Chords Michael Mohring [Please Note: the link shows two books, I’m talking about the second one, with the dark blue cover. I have not reviewed the first one.]
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