Oh Christmas Tree

By Thomas Gunther

December 3, 2022

Christmas Music, Jazz Piano, swing piano

Oh Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)

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

Oh Christmas Tree - Solo Piano Arrangement No. 1

The original song is based on a simple harmonic progression. In contrast, for my arrangement, I employed advanced jazz re-harmonization techniques that hopefully please the harmony-hungry listener.

I wrote this arrangement in jazz ballade style without strict time constraints. This means that it can be interpreted as a piece written during the Romantic era, with a Chopin-type feel.

Who is it most suited for?

This arrangement is most suited for pianists who like to perform jazzy versions of old familiar songs. Musicians interested in contemporary, 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 analyze and memorize the arrangement, improvise over the form, or create their own 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

Oh Christmas Tree - Solo Piano Arrangement No. 2

This arrangement of Oh Christmas Tree has a "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck kind of feel to it. It is written in a 5/4 meter and has 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.

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

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About the author

Thomas Gunther, also known as Thommy Günther in Germany, is a highly versatile jazz pianist, keyboardist, music producer, and educator with international recognition. He was born and raised in Germany, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Performing Jazz and Popular Music from the State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart.

After relocating to Chicago, Thomas quickly became the principal pianist for the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, which is directed by the esteemed music arranger and composer William Russo. In this role, he had the opportunity to collaborate with renowned artists such as Randy Brecker, Body DiFranco, Archie Shepp, Jon Faddis, Cassandra Wilson, and Orbert Davis.

Currently, Thomas is an integral part of the Chicago music scene, performing with various groups both as a sideman and as a leader. He heads the Thomas Gunther Trio Plus and has toured Germany with the Thomas Gunther’s Taste Of Chicago Band. In addition to his performance career, he has produced, arranged, and recorded a substantial body of work, serving both in leadership roles and as a collaborator.

Thomas also provides music arranging and orchestration services for ensembles of all sizes, including contributions to the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. As an educator, he shares his expertise as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia College Chicago. For more information about Thomas, visit https://www.ThomasGunther.com.