Deck the Halls

Practice Welsh carol style
Develop festive, celebratory character
Master "fa-la-la" rhythmic pattern

About This Song

Origin: Traditional Welsh melody (16th century)

Difficulty: Intermediate

Notes Used: C, D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C (high)

Time Signature: 4/4

Key: F Major

Fingering Review

Full Song

A traditional Welsh carol known for its cheerful "fa-la-la" refrain. Play with festive celebration!

Practice Tips

Festive character: This is a celebration song - keep it bright and joyful
"Fa-la-la" rhythm: The eighth note patterns should bounce and dance
Welsh origins: This melody is from a Welsh New Year's Eve song
Clear eighth notes: Keep the quick notes even and precise

Practice Exercises

Practice the opening descending eighth note pattern.

Master the continuing eighth note pattern.

Practice the famous "fa-la-la" eighth note pattern.

Practice the F major scale.

Put together the full carol with festive spirit.

Historical Context

Deck the Halls uses a traditional Welsh melody called "Nos Galan" (New Year's Eve), which dates back to the 16th century. The familiar English lyrics about decking halls with boughs of holly were added in the 19th century by Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant. The "fa-la-la" refrain, which might seem like nonsense syllables, was actually a common feature in Renaissance and Baroque music, used for dancing and celebration. The song perfectly captures the spirit of festive decoration and celebration associated with the Christmas season. Its bouncy rhythm and cheerful melody have made it one of the most recognizable holiday songs worldwide.

Performance Goal: Play this with bright, festive character. The eighth notes should bounce and dance, especially in the "fa-la-la" sections. Keep the tempo lively and celebratory!

Next Steps

Once you can play this confidently, try:

Playing the eighth notes very rhythmically and evenly
Adding slight accents on strong beats for extra bounce
Learning "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" for another cheerful carol