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

Born and raised in Germany, Thomas Gunther (in Germany known as Thommy Günther) is a versatile internationally active jazz pianist/keyboardist, music producer, and music educator.

Thomas holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Performing Jazz and Popular Music from the State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart/Germany.
After moving to Chicago, he soon becomes the principal pianist with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Stan Kenton's music arranger/composer William Russo. With this group he had the pleasure of performing with world renown guest artists such as Randy Brecker, Body DiFranco, Archie Sheep, Jon Faddis, Cassandra Wilson, Orbert Davis, etc.
Today he is an integrated part of the Chicago music scene performing with different groups as sideman and leader. He leads the Thomas Gunther Trio Plus, and toured Germany with the Thomas Gunther’s Taste Of Chicago Band. 
He has produced, arranged, and recorded lots of music as a leader and sideman. He also offers music arranging and orchestration services for groups of all sizes, including the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. Thomas currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia College Chicago. Find out more about Thomas at https://www.ThomasGunther.com

    • 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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