Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!  Time for family gatherings.  How about writing a song for the Holidays.

Start by writing your Christmas music from the basics; rhythm, melody and harmony.  Then you can orchestrate the tune with Holiday words.  Make sure you have a portable recorder near you at all times so you don't loose your ideas.

There isn't one way to write songs.  We'll go over the essentials to songwriting here.  The hard way, but more ornate way, is to write your Holiday lyrics first.  You maybe able to find a lyricist to collaborate music and words.  The easy method is to write the music first.  Play it over and over.  The words that fit the melody will come to you.

RHYTHM: Most holiday tunes are in the 6/8 or 4/4 time.  6/8 flows as in songs about the ocean represent the time of year.  4/4 time is the most typical time signature.  The rhythm of the song includes the form of the tune; the chorus, the refrain, the intro, the break and the ending.  You can tap out Jingle Bells' melody's rhythm on the table top with your finger.

MELODY:  A good melody is easy to sing such as in stepwise notes and nominal leaps.  A good melody is easy enough to pick out on a piano before you know the chords or the words.  A good Christmas tune sticks in your head even in July.

HARMONY: Up beat, fast tempo Christmas tunes are bright and cheerful during the dark winter months.  They use lots of major and diatonic chords.  Reverent songs and song about loneliness are structured around the "V vi" plagal cadence and the "vi" minor chord.

LYRICS: Now that you have a tune you can orchestrate it with the words.  Create a picture of Holiday symbols and characteristics.  Draw from the story of Jesus' birth or the New Testament.  Or, you can take a look at Christmas in modern society which is rich in changes from year to year.

Start with a compelling rhythm or emotion evoking melody.  Figure out chords to the melody which will enhance the tunes mood and emotions.  Look for lyrics that conjure up the holiday through symbols and images. Try borrowing from the classics. There is no one way to write a song.  At times, they just come to you.  Other times you have to work hard to get it. You can pick a melody up through and interesting harmony progressions like pop music I vi IV V or the blues. Now, you can share your tune with your family at the next gathering.