Its that time of year again!

The decorations are up, and you’re probably already thinking about the delicious turkey dinner. Gifts are being bought, wrapped, and lovingly placed under the tree. The smell of baking cookies fills the air.

It’s Christmas time, and there’s only one thing missing from this almost perfect image: Christmas music!

As you decide on a holiday playlist, why not focus on something a little new this year, and learn about some of the most popular and common instruments (and perhaps some less common instruments) that are used throughout Christmas music? Open your mind to listening to new kinds of music, and perhaps find new instruments to love!

Carillon

I can hear you all now saying, “What on Earth is a carillon?”

While you may have never heard the name before, you’ve likely heard this instrument played in some of your favourite Christmas tunes. Due to its gigantic size, the carillon is usually an outdoor instrument, though it is sometimes found inside churches as well. It is made up of bronze cup-shaped bells which are usually fixed in a tower belfry, or sometimes onto a large open frame.

Most carillons use a set of at least 23 bells, which covers two or more octaves in half tones. These are played manually using a large keyboard of sorts, with round wooden keys and short pedals that are connected to the bell clappers with a simple tracker action. The bells themselves vary in size, from 16 cm in diameter and 5 kg in weight, to well over 2 meters in diameter, and over 1000 kg!

So, where can you hear the carillon this time of year? With so many different recordings of Christmas carols recorded with this wonderful instrument, you can find nearly any of your favourites with a simple internet search!

Sleigh Bells

Nothing quite says “Christmas” like sleigh bells! Hearing those bells at the beginning of any song can put you in the festive spirit in no time flat!

A sleigh bell, or jingle bell, is, of course, a kind of bell that creates that distinctive “jingle” sound, especially when played in large numbers.

So, which of your favourite Christmas songs feature sleigh bells? More than you might guess – in fact, if you listen for them, you’ll probably hear them in most of your favourite classic holiday tunes. Of course, the most famous use of the sleigh bells is definitely “Jingle Bells!” Written by James Lord Pierpont (1822-1893) it is one of the most well-known and commonly sung American songs in the world. It was initially published under the title “One Horse Open Sleigh” in 1857, and was originally meant as a Thanksgiving song!

Chimes

Another Christmassy type of percussion instrument found throughout the holiday season in the chime bell.

Perhaps the most well-known example of the chimes is “Carol of the Bells.” This is particularly interesting because this hugely popular Christmas song was originally meant to be sung a cappella by a mixed four-voice choir. It has since been recorded countless times by innumerable artists, and re-arranged for all kinds of different vocal and instrumental compositions – but the version with chimes remains the most popular.

Organ

Thanks to its massive size and distinctive sound, the organ is an easily recognizable instrument. It has a keyboard and multiple large pipes, which play when a key is pressed.

As a traditional church instrument, the organ is heavily featured throughout much of your favourite traditional Christmas carols.

Originally, a “Christmas carol” referred specifically to a piece of vocal music whose lyrics were focused on the theme of Christmas or the Christmas season. However, as time has progressed, more and more instruments were brought in to accompany the vocal music.

“Away in A Manger,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and “Joy to the World,” are just a few of the traditional carols accompanied by an organ that are still sung around the world during this time of year.

Tambourine

Another Christmassy percussion instrument is the tambourine! This instrument is made up of a frame, usually wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles called “zills.”

Tambourines are found all across the musical spectrum, including genres like: folk music, classical music, gospel, pop, country, and countless others. But all that said, they are practically ideal for Christmas music, especially anything with bells!

Voice

Our last instrument on this list is one that anyone can use – their own voice!

While instrumental Christmas music has been around for a very long time and is still extremely popular, there’s just something about the lyrics of those Christmas classics that put us all in a jolly mood. Whether it’s Bing Crosby wishing you a “White Christmas” or Perry Como singing about toys in every store, the voice of a singer during Christmas is captivating.

And what’s more, nothing quite compares to belting out your favourite Christmas tunes right along with your favourite Christmas artist! Who cares if you can’t hit Mariah’s high notes, or you don’t quite have Bublé’s perfect pitch? Singing along is part of the celebration and the season.

What’s your favourite Christmas instrument? Did we miss it? Let us know in the comments!

If you’re looking for ways to add more Christmas music to your holidays, check out last week’s blog, appropriately titled “5 Ways to Add Music to Your Holidays!”

Know anyone who would appreciate the gift of music this holiday season, or maybe is looking to start learning as a New Year’s Resolution? Check out our programs and lessons! We cater to students of all ages and skill levels – it’s never too late to start!