Since it’s the Christmas season, I figured it might be nice to put up some chords to Christmas music.
Here’s the first one, “Silent Night”. It uses a basic I-IV-V7 progression, so it’s great for beginners. I’ll include four of the most common keys of C, G, F, and D so readers can play in the key that suits their purposes.
“Silent Night” was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber in Austria. It’s one of the most popular Christmas carols.
For more ukulele Christmas songs, check out Christmas Ukulele Chords & Tabs.
“Silent Night” Ukulele Chords in Key of C
Chords Used in Standard C Tuning (GCEA):
C | F | G7 |
[C]Silent night, holy night
[G7]All is calm, [C]all is bright
[F]Round yon Virgin [C]Mother and Child
[F]Holy Infant so [C]tender and mild
[G7]Sleep in heavenly [C]peace
[C]Sleep in [G7]heavenly [C]peace
[C]Silent night, holy night
[G7]Shepherds quake [C]at the sight
[F]Glories stream from [C]heaven afar
[F]Heavenly hosts sing [C]Alleluia!
[G7]Christ, the Saviour is [C]born
[C]Christ, the [G7]Saviour is [C]born
[C]Silent night, holy night
[G7]Son of God, [C]love’s pure light
[F]Radiant beams from thy [C]holy face
[F]With the dawn of [C]redeeming grace
[G7]Jesus, Lord at thy [C]birth
[C]Jesus, [G7]Lord at thy [C]birth
Second Version in C Major with Tabs
Here’s another version in the key of C with tabs.
Chords Used (GCEA Ukulele Tuning):
| C | G | F | G7 |
Here are the chord shapes for the above sheet for baritone ukulele.
“Silent Night” Ukulele Chords Used in Baritone Tuning (DGBE):
C | G | F | G7 |
“Silent Night” Ukulele Chords in Key of G
Chords Used in Standard C Tuning (GCEA):
| G | C | D7 |
[G]Silent night, holy night
[D7]All is calm, [G]all is bright
[C]Round yon Virgin [G]Mother and Child
[C]Holy Infant so [G]tender and mild
[D7]Sleep in heavenly [G]peace
[G]Sleep in [D7]heavenly [G]peace
[G]Silent night, holy night
[D7]Shepherds quake [G]at the sight
[C]Glories stream from [G]heaven afar
[C]Heavenly hosts sing [G]Alleluia!
[D7]Christ, the Saviour is [G]born
[G]Christ, the [D7]Saviour is [G]born
[G]Silent night, holy night
[D7]Son of God, [G]love’s pure light
[C]Radiant beams from thy [G]holy face
[C]With the dawn of [G]redeeming grace
[D7]Jesus, Lord at thy [G]birth
[G]Jesus, [D7]Lord at thy [G]birth
“Silent Night” Ukulele Chords in Key of F
Chords Used in Standard C Tuning (GCEA):
| F | Bb | C7 |
[F]Silent night, holy night
[C7]All is calm, [F]all is bright
[Bb]Round yon Virgin [F]Mother and Child
[Bb]Holy Infant so [F]tender and mild
[C7]Sleep in heavenly [F]peace
[F]Sleep in [C7]heavenly [F]peace
[F]Silent night, holy night
[C7]Shepherds quake [F]at the sight
[Bb]Glories stream from [F]heaven afar
[Bb]Heavenly hosts sing [F]Alleluia!
[C7]Christ, the Saviour is [F]born
[F]Christ, the [C7]Saviour is [F]born
[F]Silent night, holy night
[C7]Son of God, [F]love’s pure light
[Bb]Radiant beams from thy [F]holy face
[Bb]With the dawn of [F]redeeming grace
[C7]Jesus, Lord at thy [F]birth
[F]Jesus, [C7]Lord at thy [F]birth
“Silent Night” Ukulele Chords in Key of D
Chords Used in Standard C Tuning (GCEA):
D | G | A7 |
[D]Silent night, holy night
[A7]All is calm, [D]all is bright
[G]Round yon Virgin [D]Mother and Child
[G]Holy Infant so [D]tender and mild
[A7]Sleep in heavenly [D]peace
[D]Sleep in [A7]heavenly [D]peace
[D]Silent night, holy night
[A7]Shepherds quake [D]at the sight
[G]Glories stream from [D]heaven afar
[G]Heavenly hosts sing [D]Alleluia!
[A7]Christ, the Saviour is [D]born
[D]Christ, the [A7]Saviour is [D]born
[D]Silent night, holy night
[A7]Son of God, [D]love’s pure light
[G]Radiant beams from thy [D]holy face
[G]With the dawn of [D]redeeming grace
[A7]Jesus, Lord at thy [D]birth
[D]Jesus, [A7]Lord at thy [D]birth
“Silent Night” Song History
“Silent Night” is a popular Christmas carol that has been sung around the world for over 200 years.
The song was originally written in German, with the title “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht,” by Franz Xaver Gruber and Joseph Mohr in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria.
According to legend, the lyrics and melody for “Silent Night” were created in 1818 when Father Joseph Mohr, a young priest, was assigned to St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf.
Mohr was inspired to write a new Christmas carol for the church’s upcoming Christmas Eve service after the church’s organ was damaged and could not be used.
He approached Franz Xaver Gruber, a local schoolteacher and musician, to compose a simple melody for his lyrics. Gruber came up with a simple, yet beautiful melody that perfectly matched Mohr’s words.
On Christmas Eve in 1818, “Silent Night” was performed for the first time at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf. Mohr sang the lyrics, accompanied by Gruber on the guitar.
The song was an instant hit, and it soon spread throughout Austria and other parts of Europe.
The song was translated into English in 1859 by John Freeman Young, an Episcopal priest.
The English version of the song has since become one of the most popular Christmas carols in the world, with countless recordings and performances by artists of all genres.
Today, “Silent Night” is regarded as a timeless classic, and its message of peace and goodwill continues to resonate with people all over the world.
Frequently Asked Questions about Playing Silent Night on Ukulele
- What are the basic chords for playing “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- The basic chords for “Silent Night” on the ukulele are C, F, and G7.
- What is the chord progression for “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- The chord progression for “Silent Night” is typically C – F – C – G7 for each line of the song.
- What strumming pattern works well for “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- A simple strumming pattern like down, down, up, up, down can work nicely for “Silent Night.”
- Can I play “Silent Night” using only fingerpicking on the ukulele?
- Yes, you can fingerpick “Silent Night” on the ukulele by plucking the individual strings of each chord.
- Are there alternative chord progressions for “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- While C, F, and G7 are common, you can experiment with other chord progressions to add your own twist to the song.
- What key is “Silent Night” typically played in on the ukulele?
- “Silent Night” is often played in the key of C on the ukulele, making it beginner-friendly.
- How do I transition smoothly between chords while playing “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- Practice changing chords slowly at first, then gradually increase your speed. Focus on maintaining a steady rhythm.
- What is the strumming hand technique for “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- Keep your strumming hand relaxed, and use your thumb or index finger to strum down and up gently.
- Can I use a capo when playing “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- You can use a capo to change the key of the song if needed, but it’s not necessary for the standard key of C.
- Are there any advanced chord variations I can use for “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- You can incorporate more advanced chord voicings, such as Cmaj7 or G9, to add complexity to your rendition.
- What are the lyrics to “Silent Night” for singing along while playing the ukulele?
- “Silent night, holy night / All is calm, all is bright…”
- Is “Silent Night” a good song for beginners to practice on the ukulele?
- Yes, “Silent Night” is an excellent choice for beginners due to its simple chord progression and melody.
- What tempo should I aim for when playing “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- A slow and gentle tempo suits the peaceful mood of “Silent Night.”
- Can I find ukulele tablature for “Silent Night” online?
- Yes, there are plenty of ukulele tab resources online to help you learn to play “Silent Night.”
- How can I add embellishments or variations to “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- Experiment with hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides to add embellishments and make the song your own.
- What are the most common mistakes beginners make when playing “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- Common mistakes include struggling with chord transitions and strumming patterns. Practice can help overcome these challenges.
- Are there specific chord diagrams available for “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- Yes, you can find chord diagrams for C, F, and G7, which are the primary chords used in the song.
- Can I play “Silent Night” in a different key on the ukulele to match my vocal range?
- Yes, you can transpose the chords to a different key to better suit your vocal range.
- Is it essential to sing along while playing “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- Singing along is not required, but it can enhance the overall experience and make the song more enjoyable.
- What is the best way to memorize the chord progression for “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- Practice the chord changes repeatedly until they become second nature.
- What are some tips for improving finger placement while playing “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- Focus on keeping your fingers close to the fretboard and using the tips of your fingers to press the strings.
- Can I use a metronome to practice “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- Yes, a metronome can help you maintain a steady tempo while practicing the song.
- What is the history of “Silent Night” and why is it a popular holiday song on the ukulele?
- “Silent Night” is a traditional Christmas carol with a rich history, and its gentle melody makes it a favorite for ukulele players during the holiday season.
- Are there any instrumental variations or arrangements of “Silent Night” for the ukulele?
- Yes, you can find instrumental ukulele arrangements that showcase the melody and harmony of “Silent Night.”
- What is the best way to add dynamics to my ukulele rendition of “Silent Night”?
- Experiment with strumming dynamics, such as playing softly during the verses and strumming more vigorously during the chorus.
- Can I perform “Silent Night” on the ukulele as a solo instrumental piece?
- Yes, you can play “Silent Night” as a beautiful solo instrumental piece on the ukulele.
- Are there any common chord progressions or variations used by famous ukulele players when playing “Silent Night”?
- Some players may incorporate unique chord progressions or variations to put their personal touch on the song.
- How can I make my ukulele rendition of “Silent Night” stand out and sound unique?
- Experiment with different strumming patterns, fingerpicking techniques, and chord inversions to give your performance a distinctive quality.
- Is it possible to play “Silent Night” on a different type of ukulele, such as a tenor or baritone?
- Yes, you can play “Silent Night” on different ukulele sizes by using appropriate chord fingerings and adjusting your playing style.
- Where can I find video tutorials to help me learn to play “Silent Night” on the ukulele?
- You can find numerous video tutorials on platforms like YouTube, where experienced ukulele players provide step-by-step guidance for playing “Silent Night.”
