Christmas songs

Jingle Bells chords for guitar

Jingle Bells needs 5 chords in G: G, C, D, D7 and A7. Here it is bar by bar: press any chord to hear it, Play to go through the whole carol, and the Key menu to move it to suit your voice.

Tempo110

↓ · ↓ ↑ · ↑ ↓ ↑ · Down, down-up, up-down-up: the campfire strum, also called the calypso strum.

Colours

homethe pullthe doorthe lift

What each chord does in its key. Press a chord to hear it and read more.

Jingle Bells

4/4, four beats a bar · 32 bars

Verse

Chorus

Chord chart The chords of G major ›

Jingle Bells, 32 bars: verse and chorus. Press a chord to hear it; Play goes through the whole carol.

The chords

Press a chord to hear it, or its name for every way to play it.

G

FamousStandard

I

R3RGBDGBG

C

Standard

IV

R3RCEGCE

D

Standard

V

5R3DADF♯

D7

Standard

V7

5♭73DACF♯

A7

Standard

II7

53AEGC♯E

How to play it

  • The strum. Four beats to the bar: four down strums is enough to start; then the folk strum (down, down-up, up-down-up). On guitar a bass note then a strum sounds fuller. Start slow, around 80 beats a minute, and change chord on the first beat of the bar.
  • Too low or too high to sing? Change the key above. Or keep these shapes and put a capo on: two frets up raises the song a whole step (the capo chart works it out).
  • A new chord? Press its card for every way to play it, or start from the beginner chords.

About the carol

Words and music by James Lord Pierpont, published in Boston, USA, in 1857 under the title One Horse Open Sleigh; it took its present title in the 1859 reissue. (source)

Questions

What chords are in Jingle Bells?

In G: G, C, D, D7 and A7.

What key is Jingle Bells in?

It is sung in many keys. On guitar G is the easiest, with open chords; use the Key menu for any other.

What strumming pattern does Jingle Bells use?

Four beats to the bar: four down strums is enough to start; then the folk strum (down, down-up, up-down-up). On guitar a bass note then a strum sounds fuller.

Sources

The chords were checked against these, bar by bar; where they differ, this page gives the version most beginner sheets agree on.

More Christmas songs

Silent NightWe Wish You a Merry ChristmasDeck the HallsO Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)Away in a MangerJoy to the WorldHark! The Herald Angels SingO Come, All Ye FaithfulThe First NoelGod Rest Ye Merry GentlemenGood King WenceslasWe Three KingsO Little Town of BethlehemJolly Old Saint NicholasUp on the HousetopAngels We Have Heard on HighAuld Lang SyneAll Christmas songs