Song Tabs

 "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" is a classic holiday standard, originally introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 film "Meet Me in St. Louis." The song is known for its gentle, jazzy feel and rich harmonies, making it a favorite for guitarists during the festive season.

Chord Overview

The song uses a number of basic and some jazz-influenced chords: G, Em, Am7, D7, B7, E7, A7, G7, C, Cm, Cmaj7, Bm.
If you are a beginner, you may want to look up the fingerings for some less common chords like B7, E7, Cm, and Cmaj7 before starting.

Strumming Pattern

A gentle, slow strumming pattern works best. Try a simple down-down-up-up-down-up (D-D-U-U-D-U) for each bar, adjusting for the song’s slow tempo. For a more intimate feel, you can use a light fingerstyle or even just single downstrokes.

Chord Transitions and Tips

• Watch out for quick transitions during the intro and bridge (C, Cm, Bm, A7, D, D7). Practice moving smoothly between these chords without pausing.
• The use of seventh chords (Am7, D7, G7, B7, E7, A7) adds a jazzy color. If these are new, spend extra time practicing the finger shapes.
• On the line "Hang a shining star upon the highest bough," the transition from B7 to Em can be tricky—move fingers together as a unit for efficiency.
• Take the song slowly at first, and try humming or singing along to help with timing and chord changes.

With practice, this song can sound beautiful even with simple strumming and careful chord changes. Enjoy bringing some festive cheer to your playing!