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Bach’s Blog "Ear Changes" building up our natural ear for music

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November 10, 2007 - Saturday 

Category: Music
 I
 5   4    3     2    1     2  3  1
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
  V           I      V     I
  2  3  4  2  3   2  1  7  1
  Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
 I
/5    4   3  2  1  2   3 1
'Tis the season to be jolly
  V           I      V     I
  2  3  4  2  3   2  1  7  1
  Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
 V              I
 2  3   4   2   3  4 5 ..2
Don we now our gay apparel
  I         IV        II    V
  3  4  5   6  7  1   7  6  5
  Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.
  I
  5   4   3  2     1    2   3  1
Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol
  IV          I      V     I
 /6  6  6  6  5   4  3  2  1
  Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

See the blazing Yule before us.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Follow me in merry measure.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
While I tell of Yule-tide treasure.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Fast away the old year passes.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Hail the new year, lads and lasses
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Sing we joyous, all together.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
heedless of the wind and weather.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la


/ = big jump up  .. = big jump down (it's a backward slash on computer keyboard which is what is intended here)


For general participation sing-a-long the key of C is very good since the low to high notes are "B" up an octave to "C" which is a very comfy range for most. Since the low note (in any key) is "7" and the high is "1" (up an octave) you may be able to use the key of D (C sharp-D) or even Eb (D-Eb) if all are stood up, warmed up or wound up.


For advanced players a nice substitute for lines 1, 3, & 7 (lines w/ just the I chord) use:
I, IIIm7/5, VIm7, I/5. (1,7,6,5 bass relative to key). Opt: ONLY doing that on line 7 gives it a fancy end.
Lines 2 & 4 could continue with:
V/3, I, Vsus V, I. (7,1,5,1 bass rel. to key).
V & I/5 for line 5. (all 5 bass).
I, IV, II, V for line 6 (II is major).
I, IIIm7/5, VIm7, I/5 for line 7. (1,7,6,5 bass relative to key).
Line 8 ends it with:
IV, I/5, V, I. (4,5,5,1 bass rel. to key).

ENJOY!

For a couple more songs see:
DenisBach.com/Christmas
6:59 AM
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Denis



Last Updated: 10/12/2007

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State: Michigan
Country: US