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Silent Night was written in a small Austrian village in 1818, first sung in its chapel’s Christmas Mass. As the organ had broken, the composer, Franz Gruber, arranged for a simple guitar accompaniment for a few voices. In honor of this beloved carol’s 200th birthday, we wanted to offer this arrangement by our own Chaney Rutherford, making tabs available, as well, in hopes that it would bless you this Christmas season. Merry Christmas from all your friends at Hearts’ Home Acoustics!

Download music here.

Here is an arrangement of the British folk Christmas carol, The Holly and the Ivy for solo guitar. It can be played with a pick or fingerstyle. The second section uses natural harmonics. Touch, don’t press, the strings right over the indicated fret to produce the delicate chiming effect. Also, pluck the strings closer to the bridge if you find the harmonics don’t ring clearly.

Download guitar tab for The Holly and the Ivy

Here is an arrangement of We Wish You a Merry Christmas tabbed for guitar, mandolin, ukulele, tenor banjo and 5-string banjo, along with a version with notes only, no tab, for those who prefer that format. The arrangement includes the original melody, chords and lyrics, along with a melodic variation, or break. Merry Christmas!

Download the guitar tab for We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Download the tenor banjo tab for We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Download the 5-string banjo tab for We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Download the mandolin tab for We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Download the ukulele tab for We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Download the notes-only version of We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Here is an arrangement of Angels We Have Heard on High tabbed for guitar, mandolin, ukulele, tenor banjo and 5-string banjo, along with a version with notes only, no tab, for those who prefer that format. The arrangement includes the original melody, chords and lyrics, along with a melodic variation, or break. Merry Christmas!

Download the guitar tab for Angels We Have Heard on High

Download the tenor banjo tab for Angels We Have Heard on High

Download the 5-string banjo tab for Angels We Have Heard on High

Download the mandolin tab for Angels We Have Heard on High

Download the ukulele tab for Angels We Have Heard on High

Download the notes-only version of Angels We Have Heard on High

Here is a set of four Christmas carols, (O Christmas Tree; God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen; Joy to the World; and Silent Night.), arranged as instrumental duets.

The duets have been tabbed separately for guitars, mandolins, ukuleles, tenor guitar/banjo, and 5-string banjo. There is also a concert version with notes only, no tab, for those who prefer that format.

All versions of the duets are in the same keys, so you can mix and match instruments: Uke & guitar duo; mandolin & tenor guitar; or one gigantic string-band orchestra! (Please send us a picture if you do the giant orchestra thing.)

Download the guitar tab for Christmas Duets

Download the tenor banjo tab for Christmas Duets

Download the 5-string banjo tab for Christmas Duets

Download the mandolin tab for Christmas Duets

Download the ukulele tab for Christmas Duets

Download the notes-only version of Christmas Duets

We all know it as the theme to the Alfred Hitchcock TV show from the 50s & 60s, but the actual title is Marche Funèbre d’une Marionnette, or Funeral March of a Marionette. This short piece was originally composed by Charles Gounod in 1872 for solo piano, and scored for orchestra a few years later.

There is a an amusing storyline that goes along with the music.

During the introduction: The Marionette is broken; it has died in a duel.

Minor section: There are murmurs of regret from the troupe and the funeral procession begins.

Major section: The troupe stops to take refreshments.

Minor section: The troupe finishes the procession and returns to the house.

The original composition is in D Minor; this arrangement for Tenor Ukulele is transposed to A Minor. It is a bit challenging but very fun to play.

Download the ukulele tab for Funeral March of a Marionette

Ja-Da was written by pianist Bob Carleton in 1918. A simple melody with even simpler lyrics, this tune has somehow become a perennial standard. Maybe the lyrics tell the secret. The tabs below contain the original melody along with two solo breaks adapted from recorded solos improvised by trumpeter/cornetist Bobby Hackett and pianist/band leader Count Basie. The same music is tabbed out for guitar, tenor banjo, mandolin and ukulele.

Download the guitar tab for Ja-Da

Download the mandolin tab for Ja-Da

Download the ukulele tab for Ja-Da

The song Careless Love started out as a standard with New Orleans jazz bands. It has been recorded by countless artists in jazz, blues, folk, country and pop styles. The origins of this song are unknown and several versions of the lyrics exists. The lyrics below are common among folk singers.

Here is a Carterish style solo for guitar from one of Joe’s students. Thanks Roger!

Download the Cater-style guitar tab for Careless Love

This version features a country blues solo break which is a mash-up of licks culled from versions by Ray Charles, Eric Clapton & Jerry Reed. String bends ensue.

Download the guitar break tab for Careless Love