Introduction

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" is a classic holiday song that's been covered by many artists over the years. This version uses a combination of major, minor, and 7th chords, making it a great song for beginner and intermediate guitarists wanting to expand their chord vocabulary.

Chord Transitions

The song starts with a progression of [C] [Cm] [Bm] [A7] [D] [D7] which might be challenging for beginners. Practice transitioning between these chords, focusing on smooth and quick movements. Remember that [C] to [Cm] only requires one finger movement, which can aid in a smoother transition.

Strumming Patterns

A simple strumming pattern for this song could be: Down Down Up Up Down Up (DDUUDU). This pattern provides a nice flow and is easy for beginners to grasp. However, the song is quite flexible and can be played with various strumming patterns. Feel free to experiment and find what feels best for you.

Techniques

The song has frequent transitions between major, minor, and 7th chords which require different fingering techniques. Make sure to familiarize yourself with these chord shapes.

Also, pay attention to the chord changes on the words "troubles will be out of sight/miles away". The chords change more rapidly here, so be prepared to switch chords mid-phrase.

Conclusion

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" is a beautiful song to learn on the guitar, especially for the holiday season. Practice the chord transitions and strumming pattern regularly, and you'll be able to perform this classic tune with ease.