I’ll be taking a break and I’ll be back on the 22nd January (except for a post aimed at people who find a uke under their Christmas tree). Hopefully, with a spanking new look to the site.

I don’t like to talk about it, but I do next to nothing for charity. One charity I do regularly support is Kiva and that’s only because they force the poverty stricken recipients of the cash to give the money back – it’s only fair. If you’re a Kiva regular, join the Ukulele Players group on there.

Have a good one! See you in the magic future-land of 2010.

If your ukulele xmas needs are not sated then check out Armelle’s Christmas ukulele world tour.

The Mad Tea Party – Oh Sh*t It’s Christmastime

Download it free on their website.

Mary-Anne McTrowe – Boozy Eggnog

Tricity Vogue & The Christmas Cads – Last Christmas

Kori Neil Miyanishi – Breaking Up Christmas

Thanks to Alec for alerting me to this guy.

Sebi – Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

WS64 – Frosty, the Snowman

Uni and her Ukulele and Mariel A La Mode – All I Want for Christmas

Kate Sloan – Christmas Time is Here

Half Man Half Biscuit – It’s Cliched to be Cynical at Christmas (Chords)

My Christmas present to myself is to finally put some Half Man Half Biscuit on the blog.

I was going to evangelize about HMHB, but they’re really a band you either love or don’t understand at all. Listen to Joy Division Oven Gloves and Bob Wilson, Anchorman. If you don’t get it, move along.

Twiddly Bit

Zee Avi – No Christmas (Chords)

No ukulele on this one but I had to post it anyway. Partly because I like it and partly because it shares its chords with one of my favourite Christmas songs of all time: Hello Saferide’s iPod Xmas.

Suggested Strumming

The bits of bass picking she uses in this song don’t work too well on the uke, so here’s a strumming pattern you can use:

d u d -

For each chord in the verse.

In the middle:

d u d u

For each chord.

More Zee Avi

Just You and Me
Kantoi

Garfunkel and Oates – Year End Letter (Chords)

Jay Leno has sky rocketed in my esteem recently. Last week he had Victoria Vox on and yesterday it was Kate Micucci and Riki Lindhome.

The pair were premiering a new Christmas song and, as always, it was hilarious. More than deserving of a fast-track chording.

Visit GarfunkelAndOates.com
Garfunkel and Oates on iTunes.

More Kate Micucci

Kate Micucci Interview
Garfunkel and Oates – Present Face
Garfunkel and Oates – You, Me and Steve
Kate Micucci and William H Macy – It’s Time to Get Laid
Let Us Be Happy Together
Mr Moon
Screw You
Dear Deer

Ballard C Boyd – Christmas for Cowboys (Chords)

This is one of my all time faves – I think it’s hilarious and quite touching at the same time. And I think Ballard C Boyd’s ukulele version (from his 2007 Christmas record Christmas with U) is even better than the original. So it’s that one that I worked from – but the original is pretty much the same.

Suggested Strumming

This one is in 3/4 time so do:

d – d u d -

For each chord.

Julia Nunes and Wade Johnson – Cold Outside (Chords)

It really must be the season of good will to all.

I have some trouble picturing Wade Johnson seducing Julia Nunes. He seems far too nice. Nowhere near oleagenous enough to sing this song. But it’s a nice simple version for the uke. The only tricky part is that you have to tune down half a step if you want to play along with the video (to f# B D# G# ).

Suggested Strumming

For the D chord: u d u -
For the G7M chord: u – u -
For Em: u d u -
For A7: u – u -

For the rest of the chords all down strums should see you through.

More Nunes

Build Me Up Buttercup

Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (Tab)

Hello, Bret. A wuzza wuzza. This is 1983 David Bowie. I’m I’m buried up to my neck in sand. Am I freaking you out? (you can’t tell – because it’s written down – but I’m doing a brilliant impression of Adam and Joe’s impression of FotC’s impression of David Bowie in my head).

Nick B-C requested a tab of nomipyon’s version of Sakamoto Ryuichi’s theme to Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence and it struck me as an excellent idea. It’s an excellent arrangement but I’ve changed a few bits and pieces – some to make it easier to play and some (particularly the intro) to let notes ring into each other and make it a bit more piano-like.

MP3

Another melody notes plus chords Christmas tune. Must admit, I can’t stand this one.

Strumming

This bit is quite tricky. I’m using all down strums but you have to be careful how many strums you use.

F = 6 down strums
Gm = 2 down strums
C7 = 1 down strum
Gm = 1 down strum
F = 2 down strums

Next you repeat that pattern again. Then:

F = 1 strum
D7 = 2 strums
Gm = 3 strums
C7 = 3 strums
F = 3 strums

Then you do the first pattern again and you’re done.

Other Single Note Versions

Silent Night
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

U900 – Sleigh Ride (Tab)

The adorable Japanese duo have put together a Christmas album. But they don’t stray away from Ventures territory with this one.

The main melody on this one is played on a low-G ukulele with a pick. You can get away with using your fingers, but the low-G is a must.

You can buy the CD and DVD on CD Japan.

U900 on MySpace

More U900

Walk Don’t Run
Diamond Head