Silent Night

Deck the Halls Hark the Herald Angels Sing
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Our Expert: Jen Trani

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Meet Jen, one of Mahalo's guitar experts. Born and raised in Denver, Jen Trani has been playing guitar in all styles since the age of 13. Having earned her bachelor's degree in music performance from the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, Trani teaches guitar and plays lead with several bands. She also appeared in the Shirelles-inspired '60s musical ''Baby It's You,'' ''The Price Is Right,'' and is the composer for an online series of video shorts.

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"Silent Night" is another timeless lullaby with religious significance. The song, originally titled "Stille Nacht," was written by Franz Gruber (music) and an Austrian priest named Josef Mohr (words). The recent discovery of a 19th Century document confirms that the song's lyrics were written in 1816, just a few years before its musical composition was created. 

The song is played in 3/4 time, meaning that there are three beats in a single measure instead of the usual four beats. This carol is best played using finger picking, using the thumb on the  bass note of each chord and the other fingers to pluck the rest of the chord.

Follow along with the video to get your 3/4 counting down and to learn the finger picking pattern. Another option is to lightly strum the chords with a pick, but the finger picking helps to set the tone nicely.

"Silent Night" uses the following chords:








Sing & Play!

- Played in the key of G major with a lightly moderate 3/4 feel -

G
Silent night, holy night
D7              G
All is calm, all is bright
C                           G
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
C                     G
Holy Infant so tender and mild
D7                         G
Sleep in heavenly peace
              D7           G
Sleep in heavenly peace

G
Silent night, holy night!
D7                          G
Shepherds quake at the sight
C                               G
Glories stream from heaven afar
C                                G
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
D7                               G
Christ, the Saviour is born
                  D7             G
Christ, the Saviour is born

G
Silent night, holy night
D7                G
Son of God, love's pure light
C                                       G
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
C                             G
With the dawn of redeeming grace
D7                            G
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
                     D7       G
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

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