Charting the Course Christmas Collection, Guitar / Vibes Book: Guitar/Vibes Method Book

Familiar melodies (Jingle Bells, Auld Lang Syne, Deck the Halls) shift into jazz territory with crisp ensemble writing and space for individual voices. There's a warmth to these arrangements, they honor the traditions these songs carry while making them feel alive and contemporary.

Jazz ensemble directors working with younger or newer improvisers who need structure without losing the spontaneity of jazz. Guitar and vibes players benefit from detailed harmonic guidance, and the collection works for any small group looking for holiday material that swings rather than plays it straight.

• Study the transcribed solos first as a section. Have everyone listen to what the soloist does over the changes, then discuss the scale choices and how they navigate the progression.
• Don't rush into playing the suggested solos without reviewing the mini-clinic breakdown for that tune. Five minutes spent on the chord tones and scale will pay off in the solo section.
• Use the play-along tracks to let each student sit in as the soloist, even during rehearsal. This builds confidence before performance and helps players internalize the groove.
• Balance your rehearsal between ensemble unison and individual solo work. These charts are written to support both, so lean into that flexibility.

Feature these in a December concert as a refreshing alternative to standard holiday fare. Because the charts sit at grade 2.5, they pair well with a mixed repertoire evening where students across ability levels can contribute. You can also stagger the six tunes across rehearsals leading into winter performance, using each one as a case study in jazz harmony and solo construction.

• Reading and playing over jazz changes without chord symbols written in every measure
• Constructing solo lines using chord tones and guide tones
• Identifying scale choices (major, minor, and modal) within a harmonic progression
• Listening and transcription skills through note-for-note solo studies
• Ensemble balance and space-sharing in small group settings
• Comping and responding to soloists as a rhythm section