How to Play Carol of the Bells Chord on Guitar

Carol of the Bells is a popular Christmas song that originated from a Ukrainian folk chant. The song has been adapted by many artists and composers, and it is often performed with different instruments and arrangements. One of the most common ways to play Carol of the Bells is on the guitar, using chords and strumming patterns. In this article, we will show you how to play Carol of the Bells on guitar with some easy steps and tips.

Chord

[Intro]: Am     C      Dm      E    x4
         La, la, la, la...
 
 
Am
Hark how the bells
Sweet silver bells
C
All seem to say
Throw cares away
 
F
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
G
To young and old
Meek and the bold
 
Am
Ding dong ding dong
That is their song
C
With joyful ring
All caroling. (Oh! Oh! Ahh)
 
F
One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
G
From everywhere (From everywhere)
Filling the air
 
Am
Oh how they pound, (Oh how they pound)
Raising the sound
C
O'er hill and dale
Telling their tale. (Telling their tale)
 
Am
Gaily they ring
C
While people sing
G
Songs of good cheer
F
Christmas is here
 
E
Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas,  x2
 
Am
On on they send
On without end
C
Their joyful tone
To every home
 
F
Ah! Ah! Ah!
 
Am   C     Am   C     Am   C     Am   C
Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong, ding dong
 
Am     C      Dm      E    x2
La, la, la, la... 
 
Am
Hark how the bells, (Hark how the bells)
Sweet silver bells
C
All seem to say, (All seem to say)
Throw cares away
 
         F           G
(We will throw cares away)
 
Am
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
C
To young and old
Meek and the bold
 
 F                    G
(Bringing good cheer, oh)
 
Am
Oh how they pound, (Oh how they pound)
Raising the sound
C
O'er hill and dale
Telling their tale (Telling their tale)
 
Am
Gaily they ring
C
While people sing
G
Songs of good cheer
F
Christmas is here
E
Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas x2
 
 
[Outro] :
 
Am   C   Dm  E
La, la, la, la...

Choose Your Key and Capo

The first step to play Carol of the Bells on guitar is to choose your key and capo. The key is the set of notes that you will use to play the song, and the capo is a device that you can attach to your guitar neck to change the pitch of the strings. Depending on your vocal range and preference, you can choose different keys and capos to suit your needs.

For example, if you want to play Carol of the Bells in the original key of G minor, you can use a capo on the third fret and play Em chords. If you want to play it in A minor, you can use no capo and play Am chords. If you want to play it in C minor, you can use a capo on the eighth fret and play Em chords. You can find more examples of keys and capos for Carol of the Bells here.

Learn the Chords

The next step to play Carol of the Bells on guitar is to learn the chords. The chords are the combinations of notes that you will play with your left hand on the guitar fretboard. Depending on your key and capo, you will need to learn different chords for Carol of the Bells. However, most versions of the song use only four or five basic chords that are easy to learn and play.

For example, if you are playing Carol of the Bells in Em with a capo on the third fret, you will need to learn these chords: Em, D, C, Bm, and Em7. You can find more examples of chords for Carol of the Bells .

To learn how to play these chords, you can use online resources such as chord diagrams, videos, or tutorials. A chord diagram is a visual representation of the guitar fretboard that shows you where to place your fingers for each chord. A video or a tutorial is a more interactive way to learn how to play the chords by following along with an instructor or a demonstration.

Learn the Strumming Pattern

The final step to play Carol of the Bells on guitar is to learn the strumming pattern. The strumming pattern is the rhythm and direction that you will use to strum the strings with your right hand. Depending on your skill level and preference, you can choose different strumming patterns for Carol of the Bells. However, most versions of the song use a simple and steady pattern that matches the tempo and melody of the song.

For example, if you are playing Carol of the Bells in Em with a capo on the third fret, you can use this strumming pattern: down-down-up-up-down-up. You can repeat this pattern for each chord throughout the song. You can find more examples of strumming patterns for Carol of the Bells.

To learn how to play this strumming pattern, you can use online resources such as videos or tutorials that show you how to strum along with the song. You can also practice by tapping your foot or using a metronome to keep track of the beat.

Conclusion

Carol of the Bells is a fun and festive song that you can play on guitar with some easy steps and tips. By choosing your key and capo, learning the chords, and learning the strumming pattern, you can play Carol of the Bells on guitar in no time. You can also experiment with different variations and arrangements of the song to make it your own. We hope this article helped you learn how to play Carol of the Bells on guitar and inspired you to enjoy playing music this holiday season.