Christmas Song Medley – 1625 Turnarounds
In this lesson we explore the 1625 turnaround to create a continuous stream of music over 3 jazzy Christmas songs in the key of C Major.
If you are new to these tunes, check out the beginner lessons in this course. In those lessons we explore the basic harmony and in this lesson we create more interesting chords, voicings, and embellish the basic harmony of the tune.
The 1625 Turnaround
When playing Christmas songs for our friends and family it’s nice to create a continuous stream of music. To do this we use the 1625 turnaround and its variations to seamlessly link one song to the next.
We are covering 3 tunes in this tutorial so I will be moving through each tune quite quickly. For a slower and more in-depth explanation, check out the individual lessons on these songs.
Related Lessons & Courses
In this lesson we apply theory from the following lessons and courses:
- Altered Harmony & Upper Structure Triads
- Tritone Substitution
- Sus Chords & Suspended Harmony
- Passing Chords
- 1625 Turnarounds
Check out those lessons and courses for more information.
Related Lessons
Intros can be useful to extend the length of your performance and also to establish the tonality or the key in which the tune is being played.
Passing chords are temporary stepping stones between chords, adding variety and making your playing sound more interesting & dynamic.
Upper structure triads are complex sounding altered dominant chords. They will add texture and sophistication to your playing.
Practice Tips
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Check out the related lessons above for more information on the theory we cover in this lesson.
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We apply a wide range of jazz theory including 1625 turnarounds, altered harmony, upper structure triads, suspended harmony, and passing chords.
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You can find in-depth tutorials on each of these theory topics via the links above.
My goal is to learn and record this medley by Christmas. Even with the mistakes. Great medley Hayden BTW. Anyone else up for the challenge?
WOW. Really stunning arrangements! Hayden.
Goal for me is to be able to play any of the Christmas songs starting September 2020 haha – the moment we start with the “ber” months – 😀 I would really love to play various jazzy Christmas songs .. up to December 😀
Is there any chance to please see the transcription for these? I’m gonna be over the moon in case
Thanks so much Hayden !!! This lesson is very uplifting – and inspiring.
@ Adam Powell – Did you get to play you fave Christmas tunes? Would love to really watch or listen to your renditions!
@Tina. Working on it now. I took a bunch of time off. I will try to record it when I get it down. The goal is by Christmas.
Awesome arrangement Hayden, I am getting excited to kickstart these Xmas pieces right way after watching your lessons here.
Btw, you don’t mind put it down in writing to elaborate for the video part of 32:38 about the CMaj7 to Ab run , for the ending part. Hope you could upload few more lessons on festive songs, probably the gospel piano style.
We all ready for a jazzy Christmas Ya !
Thanks
Hi Eric,
Yes sure thing, I will be adding to the X-mas tutorials this year, and great idea to incorporate Gospel style.
And certainly, I will do a further breakdown on the part of the video that you mention at 32:38.
Leave it with me.
Cheers,
Hayden
Hello Hayden,
I notice throughout the lessons you enhance the voicings with rolls/togglings. For example in the Christmas song medley, Dm7 is played by pressing D and the melody F and then you follow with a roll/toggle F-A-C. Do you have any lessons where you describe the methodology behind the voicing enhancements that you use?
Thanks. joe
Hello Hayden,
I am currently working on this medley. On the second song, on the first measure (Am), I accidentally played the left hand a half step up (BbFAb) on accident with the same CEG triad. It sounded awesome to my ears. To me it’s sound even better than the Chord chart.
I was hoping you could explain why this change sounds so nice compared to the original.
Thanks in Advance
Kindly,
Adam Powell
Could you possibly write the sheet music for The Christmas Song?
I have them for the other two in this medley but am really struggling
With making The Christmas song work. THANK YOU!
Hi Elizabeth 👋
Yes I will notate the arrangement of The Christmas Song. I am planning to work on this Xmas course throughout October and early November to add some new songs and so I have added this transcription to my to-do-list.
Cheers,
Hayden