On Practicing Guitar

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to all of my friends, students, family and fellow musicians. It’s been a great year in many ways. There have been some ups and downs, but in the end I’m really looking forward to 2016 and enjoying the final days of 2015.

I love Christmas and get this – I love Christmas music, too! In my first job out of college, as a guitar teacher at the Queens Village School of Music (I don’t think it exists anymore), I had a blast teaching my students Christmas songs, starting in October! That’s right, they took it seriously. The school and the parents wanted those kids to have it down by years end, and in early December, I already had Christmas songs coming out of my ears.

I figured I would share a few of my favorite Christmas numbers with you, or at least a few that come to mind. First up is “Christmas Tears,” by Freddie King. This is a sad and lonesome Christmas song recorded in 1961, when Freddie was tearing it up with his piano-man/writing partner, Sonny Thompson.

Next up is B.B. King’s version of “Back Door Santa.” You’ve just gotta love the title. I first heard this one when I was working at Sherry-Lehmann during the Christmas season a few years back, and it eased my Christmas Blues.

Last but definitely not least I have to include my all-time favorite, “The Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy,” from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. I’m a huge fan of Tchaikovsky, and I plan to publish an analysis of one of his symphonies I did at school during the very time I was hearing “Back Door Santa” at S-L, when I was in grad school at City College. That was a mad Christmas season! This is a slightly slower version of 'Sugar Plum' than I'm used to, but the dancing is wonderful. And nobody takes a bow better than ballet dancers. 

I hope you enjoy these, and have a great holiday season! I look forward to seeing everyone again in 2016!