Song 5 - Angels We Have Heard On High

Course: Christmas Songs Vol 1

In this video

In this lesson we'll be learning how to play Angels We Have Heard On High on acoustic guitar.

Key Learning Points

  • Improving changes between the E, A and D chords.

  • Understanding and hearing cadences in music

  • Further improving the skill of reading and understanding chord sheets

A musical cadence is defined as the end a phrase in a chord progression, where at least 2 chords create a sense resolve or adversely, tension. In this song, we get a very clear sense of the 'Perfect' and 'Imperfect' cadences. This means to resolve the chord progression from the 5th to 1st (Perfect) or end the phrase on the 5th, which does not give us the feeling of resolve, and consequently keeps the song moving forward.

As we work through the songs in this series, we will gain a crucial skill of being able to hear but also feel the effects of the musical cadences, which helps to create clarity in our minds when playing through chord progressions and then instinctively knowing where we are in a certain part of a song - just from cadences!

Angels We Have Heard On High - full play through

Next Up: Song 6 - Away In A Manger

Well done! Let's jump into the next lesson of the course.