"Christmas Time Is Here" – Jazz Piano Workshop

Welcome to this special holiday-themed jazz piano workshop, where we explore one of the most beloved Christmas jazz tunes, "Christmas Time Is Here".

This lesson will guide you through the harmony, voicings, and variations used in this Vince Guaraldi classic, helping you develop a deeper understanding of jazz harmony while improving your ability to play and arrange holiday standards.

Understanding the Harmony of "Christmas Time Is Here"

The harmonic structure of "Christmas Time Is Here" is both rich and elegant, making it an excellent study piece for jazz pianists. The song is in the key of F major and features some classic jazz harmonic movements, including:

• The IV minor movement – This beautiful harmonic movement explains the progression Fmaj7 to Eb7 – where Eb7 is the "flat seven dominant" chord. This common jazz device creates a beautifully melancholic sound.
• Descending chromatic movements – The tune contains a series of chromatic descending chords, starting from the #iv-7b5 chord (Bmin7b5) and moving stepwise downward to the ii-7 chord (Gmin7) which sets up the transition back to the tonic Fmaj7.
• Modulation in the B section – The bridge shifts briefly to Db major before returning to the home key. This modulation adds a moment of contrast in the harmony.

Essential Voicings for Playing This Tune

3-Note Spread Voicings

To start, focus on simple three-note voicings, containing only the root, 3rd, and 7th of each chord. This method ensures that the harmony remains clear while allowing space for melodic movement.

Drop 2 Voicings

Drop 2 voicings involve taking a standard closed-position chord and lowering the second-highest note by an octave. This technique creates a fuller sound while maintaining clarity in voice leading.

Fourth Voicings & "So What" Chords

For a more modern, open sound, experiment with quartal voicings (built on stacked fourths). The "So What" voicing, derived from modal jazz, works well in this tune when applied tastefully.

Harmonic Variations & Reharmonization Ideas

• Replacing bVII7 with IV minor – Swapping Eb7#11 for Bbmin7 introduces an alternate harmonic color. We can also swap Eb7#11 for the regular IV chord which would be Bbmaj7.
• Using Tritone Substitutions – Instead of a standard ii-V-I progression, try replacing the V7 chord with their tritone substitutes for harmonic variety.
• Chord Substitutions – The 1 chord can be substituted for the vii or iii chord as demonstrated in the lesson.

5 Practice Tips for Mastering "Christmas Time Is Here"

1. Start with Simple Voicings – Begin by playing just the root, 3rd, and 7th of each chord to establish a clear harmonic foundation.
2. Listen to the Original Recording – Study Vince Guaraldi’s original A Charlie Brown Christmas version to internalize the phrasing and feel.
3. Experiment with Reharmonization – Try different variations, such as IV minor substitutions and chromatic passing chords, to develop your harmonic vocabulary.
4. Work on Left-Hand Independence – If playing solo, experiment with walking basslines or rootless voicings to create a more dynamic arrangement.
5. Practice Slowly & Sing the Melody – Singing the melody while playing the chords helps internalize the harmonic relationships and improves phrasing.

By incorporating these techniques, you’ll develop a more expressive and harmonically sophisticated approach to playing "Christmas Time Is Here". Whether you’re accompanying a vocalist or playing solo, these concepts will help you bring warmth and depth to your holiday performances.

Happy practicing, and enjoy the festive season! 🎹✨