December 3

2 comments

Oh Christmas Tree

By Thomas Gunther

December 3, 2022

Christmas Music, Jazz Piano

Oh Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)

Oh Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum in German) is one of the most popular Christmas songs in Germany. I decided to create two completely different arrangements. 

Oh Christmas Tree - Solo Piano Arrangement No. 1

"The original song is based on a very simple harmonic progression. In contrast, my first version uses advanced jazz harmonization techniques resulting in unexpected harmonic twists and turns. 

This arrangement is in a jazz ballade style, but without strict time. This means that it can be interpreted like a piece written during the Romantic era with a Chopin type of feel. 

Who is it most suited for?

Everyone who likes listening to jazzy versions of old familiar songs. Musicians who are interested it contemporary and sophisticated harmony and jazz voicings will particularly enjoy it.

Who is best suited to play this arrangement?

I recommend this arrangement for intermediate- to advanced jazz and classical pianists.
Jazz pianists will love the included jazz chord symbols, which help them with analyzing and memorizing the arrangement.
Classical pianists who love jazz, but do not know how to develop their own arrangement from lead sheet, will be able to sound like a jazz pianist. They can easily apply their classical technique and interpretations to my arrangement.
Studying this arrangement can help enhance your knowledge about jazz harmony.

Get the sheet music

 Great news! You can purchase the beautifully written sheet music (3 pages with jazz chord symbols) of my Oh Christmas Song Arrangement No. 1 for only 5 Dollars at SheetMusicDirect.com and SheetMusicPlus.com.

In the video below you get a close-up look of my hands while I am performing the arrangement

Click to play

Oh Christmas Tree - Solo Piano Arrangement No. 2

This arrangement of Oh Christmas Tree has a "Take Five" kind of feel to it.  It is written in 5/4 time with a swing feel. The harmonies are also quite sophisticated.

 Great news! You can purchase the beautifully written sheet music (3 pages with jazz chord symbols) of my Oh Christmas Song Arrangement No. 2 (in 5/4 time) for only $4.99 at SheetMusicDirect.com and SheetMusicPlus.com.

Click to play

For more Christmas songs for solo piano arrangements by Thomas Gunther, click the button below to see them all now.

Thomas Gunther

About the author

Thomas Gunther (alias Thommy Günther) is a versatile internationally active jazz pianist and keyboardist, music producer, and music educator. Born in Germany, Thomas moved to Chicago after receiving his masters in teaching popular music and jazz, with focus on piano and electronic keyboard performance from State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart/Germany.
In Chicago he soon become the principle pianist with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble let by Stan Kanton's music arranger and composer William Russo. Soon he formed his own bands playing piano and keyboards all over town and touring Europe regularly.
He has produced and recorded lots of music as a leader and sideman, appearing on over a dozent albums. He also offers music arranging and orchestration services. Thomas currenly serves as adjunct Professor of instruction at Columbia College Chicago where he designs and teaches courses for the Contemporary Jazz & Urban Music Program. The courses he has been (or is currently) teaching include Pop-Jazz Keyboards, Music Theory, Applied Music Production, Contemporary Arranging & Music Production.
Thomas is also the creator and owner of several educational websites such as PopJazzKeys.com and MusicTrainingOnline.com. He also teaches group and private lessons on Zoom.
Visit http://www.ThomasGunther.com for more info.

    • HP! Grossartig dass Du dir die Zeit genommen hast es dir anzuhören. Zu deinem Kommentar: Kann ich verstehen. Geschmack und Intellekt vertragen sich nicht immer. Ich weiss allerdings dass Du “schräge” Musik magst. War immer ein grosser Fan deiner Tonkombinationen.

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