So the story with this goes:
Years ago I tried to teach the melody of this tune to a student who was asking for xmas tunes. I realized after 8 bars or so that I couldn’t “just hear my way through it” because there were too many key changes. It became a quest to learn the thing right.
Years later I started working on a Chet-Atkins style version of the tune, modeled after the Boston Pops Orchestra version (pretty much the original version).
Every November I’d trot it out and work on it. By December 24th I’d “almost” have it.
So this year, I’ve done a full notation (this is a first-draft… probably has some mistakes, but hey it’s free!) of the arrangement. I’m planning on recording it over the next week or so.
It’s pretty challenging. I’m having a hard time getting it smooth!
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Jon,
I admire your guitar playing, especially this arrangement of “Sleigh Ride” which is great. That’s quite an accomplishment, one that I keep attempting but just don’t get it done by Christmas and then it goes on the back burner for another year.
I also enjoyed your duo with Guy Van Duser on “St. Jon’s Wart”
Thanks for posting it on YouTube and for the notation of “Sleigh Ride)! – Ronnie Evans in North Carolina.
really nice! but I would really like to see the tab for favthings, perhaps its deleted?
Hi! I’m pretty sure it’s there. Two questions: 1. what browser are you using? 2. did you try scolling down?
I love this arrangement Jon! Hmmm its May now, so I have enough time to learn this for Christmas =)
Cheers!
Chum
Wow…that was the most incredible arrangement of that song I have ever heard…it will take me 20 Christmases to get it that smooth!
Very nice. I enjoy your arrangment.
Great job, John….after listening to the Boston Pops play this every year for 40 years, and after hearing you play this several years ago I learned it on the piano. While I go through the same thing every year trying to learn it……it’s never as smooth as your version. btw…..Where’s this year’s attempt?