For those of you who don’t know about Al Di Meola, you are missing out especially if you are a guitar aficionado. Di Meola’s style is a blending of Latin influences with jazz fusion. He is known for blistering solo work and has collaborated with a wide variety of musicians. These partnerships range from rock/metal guitarists Steve Vai and Joe Satriani to fusion jazz master Chick Corea. From flamenco giant Paco De Lucia to pop singer songwriter Paul Simon.
Happy holidays, hope you enjoy the guitar inspired Christmas music.
Mike Slayen ~ Guitarist 
I absolutely love that version! Possibly my very favourite Christmas music. Any hints on playing it would be gratefully received… 😉
Great tune huh? I am guessing you have the 2 Merry Axemas CDs?
The beginning riff is like an odd meter 123+123+12+12+12 The 1’s(bassline) would be 6th string open, 5th s 3rd f, 5th s open, 5th s 2nd f, 6th s 3rd f.
The 2’s are always the 3rd string open and the 3’s are always the 2nd string open.
The melody is really basic, the easiest way to play it is G, F#, G, E on the first string with a hammer between the F# and following G.
The accompanying bassline for the melody is E(4th s 2nd fret), D#, D, C#, C, B, G, E
Thats the ‘basics’ of it Depending on your level this may seem easy or hard, LMK if you need any clarification…good luck!
I did. I ripped them on to my PC and now I can’t find them! I’m sure they are buried deep in a cupboard somewhere…
Thanks you so much for the pointers! I’ll be trying that tonight when I get home from work. Looks straightfoward enough! I might have figured it out by ear but I can be pretty lazy that way. I don’t play nearly as much as I used to.
Thanks again and I’ll let you know how I got on!
No problem. If you ever need anything guitar related let me know! I am guessing you are already a decent player if you are figuring things out by ear.
Those Axemas CDs are the Christmas Spirit to me!! They always get me in the holiday mood. You gotta find them!
I’m putting up the tree tonight! I’m hoping they’re in with all my Xmas stuff… if I can find the 2nd one at least. That’s my favourite. I’m glad you like them as much as me, I remember them getting a slating when they came out!
I’ve been playing for about 20+ years so I’m fairly decent. But never as good as I’d like to be! I used to play a lot but I’ve got out of the swing of things in the last couple of years. I’m pretty good at playing by ear but I’m less confident when it’s not Rock/Metal. I’ll be sure to give you a shout if I need advice! Thanks again!
Just tried playing it. Perfect! This has totally made my day 🙂
Very cool!
BTW I agree the 2nd Axemas has a better vibe but I like em both.
The 2nd one was the one I got first so that may be part of it too!
I’m digging through my CD collection, I have both of these Merry x-mas CD’s somewhere 🙂
Good luck, it’s nice to have guitar Xmas CDs!
Word!