Merry Christmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon

Merry Christmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon is a timeless holiday classic that has resonated with audiences for decades. At LickLibrary.com, we are proud to offer a comprehensive note-for-note guitar lesson on this iconic song, helping you bring the festive spirit to your guitar repertoire. In this lesson, we break down the key techniques used in the song, allowing you to capture the song's signature sound and the emotion behind the music. This detailed lesson will enhance not only your technical skills but also your understanding of how simple yet powerful guitar techniques can evoke a deep emotional response from listeners. Jamies Humphries breaks down this classic Christmas song in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitarists Behind the Song

John Lennon co-wrote Merry Christmas (War Is Over) with Yoko Ono, but the guitar work that drives the song is simple and highly effective, contributing to the song's emotional and uplifting atmosphere. The original recording features musicians like Hugh McCracken, a well-respected session guitarist who played on many famous tracks during the 1970s. McCracken’s approach to guitar was subtle but skilful, helping create a rich, layered texture within the song without overpowering its message.

McCracken’s influence on the song demonstrates the power of nuanced playing. His ability to blend rhythm and melody seamlessly offers aspiring guitarists an excellent opportunity to study how minimalism in guitar playing can be just as impactful as more complex techniques.

Techniques Covered in the Lesson

This lesson focuses on several core techniques that are essential to replicating the unique sound of Merry Christmas (War Is Over). These techniques are broken down for players of all levels, allowing you to build a solid foundation or refine your skills as a guitarist. Let’s dive into the techniques you’ll master while learning this song:

Chord Progressions

The song primarily revolves around simple, flowing chord progressions, typical of John Lennon’s songwriting style. You’ll learn how to navigate these progressions efficiently and smoothly, ensuring you maintain the melodic flow of the song. Mastering chord progressions is crucial for guitarists because it forms the backbone of many songs, making it an indispensable skill for any player.

Barre Chords

The song also makes use of barre chords, which are essential for shaping the harmony and giving the song its full-bodied sound. Learning how to form barre chords cleanly and effectively is a key skill that can help improve your hand strength and finger positioning across the fretboard, unlocking more complex song arrangements in the future.

Arpeggios

While Merry Christmas (War Is Over) is not an overly complex song, there are moments where subtle arpeggios come into play, creating a delicate, flowing accompaniment that enhances the song’s emotional depth. Arpeggios allow guitarists to add a layer of sophistication to their playing by breaking chords into individual notes, giving the music a more intricate and dynamic texture.

Slides

The song features tasteful use of slides, which are effective for transitioning between chords and notes smoothly. Slides can add expressiveness to your playing by creating fluid connections between different parts of the fretboard, making your performance sound more polished and connected.

Finger-Picking

To truly capture the feel of the song, it’s important to focus on the finger-picking style used in sections of the song. Finger-picking adds a warm, organic quality to the guitar, making it perfect for creating a gentle, holiday mood. Learning finger-picking also helps with overall finger independence and control, essential skills for intermediate to advanced players.

Syncopated Rhythms

The rhythm of Merry Christmas (War Is Over) has a subtle syncopated rhythm element, giving it a natural, relaxed groove. Syncopation involves emphasising off-beats or playing rhythms that fall outside the standard metrical pattern, which can inject a unique feel into your playing and help your performance stand out.

Open-String Riffs

The lesson also highlights the effective use of open-string riffs, which are common in many folk-inspired songs like this one. Open strings give the music a ringing, resonant sound, making your guitar playing more dynamic and allowing you to experiment with different textures.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

By working through the Merry Christmas (War Is Over) guitar lesson, you’ll not only be able to play this classic holiday song, but you'll also gain valuable technical skills that can be applied to other songs in your repertoire. Here’s how each technique benefits your playing:

• Chord Progressions: Strengthen your ability to play smooth transitions between chords and develop an understanding of how chords interact melodically.
• Barre Chords: Improve hand strength, dexterity, and the ability to play more complex chord voicings across the neck.
• Arpeggios: Learn to create more intricate, textured guitar parts that stand out in both rhythm and lead playing.
• Slides: Enhance your fluidity and expressiveness, making your playing sound more connected and seamless.
• Finger-Picking: Develop finger independence and control, helping you tackle more sophisticated acoustic and classical guitar pieces.
• Syncopated Rhythms: Boost your rhythm playing by adding a unique groove and feel to your performances.
• Open-String Riffs: Experiment with different tonal possibilities, adding richness and resonance to your guitar sound.

Guitar Techniques in This Lesson

• Chord Progressions
• Barre Chords
• Arpeggios
• Slides
• Finger-Picking
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Open-String Riffs

This comprehensive lesson will help you master the song, while also building a solid foundation of essential guitar techniques that can be applied across genres. Ready to play? Head over to LickLibrary.com and start learning today!