Christmas Songs

Jennifer was telling a story how her daughter's boyfriend had his guitar out at the house one evening when she asked him to play a Christmas song. I think her quote was something like, "he looked at me like I had worms coming out of my ears." I don't know whether that meant he didn't know any or he wouldn't play any. I don't know which is worse anyhow. I've lectured on this before, but it really burns me up, so now you're going to have to listen to it again: The guitar is meant to be played as an accompaniment to the melody. Now, this is not say that a guitarist can't take a solo during a song; that's fine for 8 or 16 measures. But a young guitarist should not start with the solo mindset; he or she should graduate into that. In the meantime he should learn some songs! Is that so much to ask? "But wait, but wait; I can't sing," he'll say. Get over it! Everybody can sing in their range. And for God's sake; at Christmas?! C'mon, Silent Night, Away in the Manger, something! If you need a challenge, learn The Christmas Song. That song, by the way, has a terrific short guitar solo in it. OK, I feel better. You know what's strange? The last time I ranted about this was right after Annette and I went to see School of Rock with Jack Black. Emily just bought the DVD and we watched it the other night and here I am talking about it again. Supernatural? Perhaps. Baloney? Perhaps not. Here's your Christmas verse for the evening: Sire, the night grows darker now And the wind blows stronger Fails my heart I know not how I can go no longer Mark my footsteps good my Page Tread thou in them boldly Thou shalt find the winter's rage freeze thy blood less coldly

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