Christmas Time is Here Chord Melody, Scott Metzger, Taylor 214ce

Guitar Lesson

🎄 Christmas Time is Here chord melody

Let's take a look at a great jazz chord melody arrangement of Vince Guaraldi's Christmas Time is Here (arranged by Freeway Music).

The simple, yet catchy melody of "Christmas Time Is Here" has made it a holiday staple since it was released in A Charlie Brown Christmas in 1965. This arrangement uses some unique chord voicings. Learn it, and entertain your friends & family at holiday get-togethers this week. 😀

A Section (play twice):

B Section (play once):

Then play the A section again.

Guitarist Spotlight

Scott Metzger

Pulling from a wide range of influences including rock, blues, jazz, country, and surf, NYC-based Scott Metzger has developed a unique musical voice on guitar, earning a reputation as one of the most adventurous improvisers in live music.

Probably best known for his work with the popular Grateful Dead tribute Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD), Scott has been a big part of the Northeast Jamband/rock scene for the last 2+ decades.

Metzger is also in the funk trio LaMP, as well as in various part-time projects including the Telecaster-driven instrumental trio WOLF!, and the gypsy-jazz-influenced The Showdown Kids. Going back even further, Metzger played in the band Amphibian, RANA, and more.

Scott has played and recorded with many musical legends and heroes including Phil Lesh, John Mayer, John Scofield, Nels Cline, Warren Haynes, and many others, and has played all over the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia.

Scott's playing stands out due to his focus on serving each individual song and group he's playing in. Scott is a great improviser, with a tasteful and melodic playing style. His playing can be patient and sensible, and yet edgy at the same time.

In addition to being a key part of various bands, Metzger released his first solo album 'Too Close to Reason' a couple years ago. The mostly-acoustic album is a collection of beautiful instrumental tracks composed during the pandemic. It shows influences like Django Reinhardt, Jim Hall, Richard Thompson, and Chet Atkins - infused with his own personal style.

Check out the song Don't Be a Stranger from the album:

Key Gear:

• Harmony Silhouette
• Creston Guitars bound black custom T-style guitar
• ’72 Telecaster with a ’68 neck
• 1955 Martin OOO-18 acoustic
• Ronin T-Songbird Guitar
• Timmy Overdrive
• Benson Germanium Fuzz
• Strymon Flint Reverb/Tremolo
• Bearfoot FX Putting Green Compressor
• Headstrong King Reverb amp ('65 Deluxe Reverb style amp)

Check out Scott Metzger: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Gear Showcase

Taylor 214ce

The 214ce is one of Taylor's most popular guitars, combining high-quality craftsmanship, playability, and affordability.

Part of Taylor's 200 Series, the 214ce was designed to provide players with a high-quality instrument that bridges the gap between entry-level and professional-grade guitars.

The 214ce features Taylor's signature 'grand auditorium' body shape, which is a bit more compact than a dreadnought guitar, making it comfortable, and well suited for both strumming and finger picking.

The guitar's top is made from solid sitka spruce, which gives it a bright and dynamic tonal response. It's offered with either layered walnut or layered rosewood back and sides. You'd have to go up to Taylor's 300 series for solid-wood sides and back, but the price goes up quite a bit with that as well.

The satin mahogany neck is on the thinner side, but is super comfortable to play. The 214ce has a 25-1/2 scale length, and a 1-11/16" nut width (which is thinner than the 1.75" nut used on most higher-end Taylor guitars).

The 214ce includes Taylor's Expression System 2 (ES2) electronics system, giving you the option to play through an amp, or recording it directly into a DAW.

The base model 214ce has a satin finish, but Taylor also offers it in Plus and Deluxe versions, which include upgraded features such as a gloss finish, different inlays, and higher-quality cases. There are also versions with a Koa top, and one with a Spruce top and laminated koa sides and back.

Key features:

• 1-11/16" nut width
• Ebony fretboard
• Satin neck
• Electronics system
• Cutaway for higher fret access
• Torrefied spruce top
• C-Class bracing for more volume and sustain

🎸 Trending

• Tone City collaborated with Danish Pete on a new double overdrive pedal called the Double Durple. The pedal features low-mid gain crunch, flexible EQ customization, and harmonic detail voiced to Pete's blue-rock tones. Retails for $105 USD.
• Fender is offering their Vintera II guitars at $150 off.
• 'Best of 2024' lists are making the rounds. Guitar.com posted their picks for the best new guitar pedals and best new acoustic guitars of 2024. See Anderton's Gear of the Year. Watch Andy Martin's Top 5 Effects Pedals of 2024.
• Guitar World interviewed Fender's Director of Electric Guitars Allen Abbassi about some of their most notable guitar releases this year; namely the Ultra II series.
• The Replacements guitarist Slim Dunlap passed away at age 73.
• Want some album picks from one of the world's best guitarists? Julian Lage recorded a 'What's in my Bag?' video with Amoeba Music in Hollywood.

Book Recommendation

String Theories: Tips, Challenges, and Reflections for the Lifelong Guitarist

String Theories. View on Amazon

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Have a great holiday!