In this festive episode, Paul Andrews guides you through three must-know Christmas songs for beginner guitarists.

Building on last year’s list, this 2025 edition covers “Feliz Navidad,” “Last Christmas,” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”

Whether you’re looking for simple strumming patterns or ways to tackle trickier chords, this episode is packed with practical tips, easy substitutions, and downloadable resources to help you sound great this holiday season.

What’s Covered in This Episode

1. Feliz Navidad

• An easy, beginner-friendly strummer that introduces the G, A, D, and B minor chords.
• Paul Andrews discusses multiple ways to play the B minor chord, including an approachable Bm7 alternative.
• Learn about song structure, simple strumming progressions (from whole notes to eighth notes), and breaking down the chorus and verse sections.
• Great for group sing-alongs or solo performances!

2. Last Christmas (Wham!)

• Play both the classic Wham! and the rockier Jimmy Eat World versions.
• Discover the differences between the two versions in melody and chords.
• Tips on using Bm7 as a substitute for B minor, efficient finger placement, and building up a pop-rock strumming pattern.
• Perfect for duets: split melody and chords with a guitar partner!

3. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

• Learn Brenda Lee’s classic with a breakdown of the iconic intro (suitable for electric guitar or acoustic with a cutaway).
• Step-by-step finger placement advice for nailing the intro riff.
• Chord version features beginner-friendly chords using a capo on the 1st fret (G, E minor, C, D, and A).
• Simplified song sheet for easy play-along, with practical strumming patterns and tips.

Special Announcements & Extras

• Get access to all tabs, chord sheets, and video walkthroughs for this episode here.
• Join the Sip and Strum event on December 14th: a live group class to learn “Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck Berry, perfect for all skill levels. Members receive a direct link via email.
• Not a member? Try Beginner Guitar Academy for two weeks for just $1! Visit beginnerguitaracademy.com to learn more.

Additional Resources

• Miss last year's Christmas episode? Find five more holiday classics in Episode 211.
• Got a question? Email: [email protected]

Subscribe & Support

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review on your favourite podcast app. Happy playing and happy holidays!