How to Breathe Vitality into Holiday Hits
- Diana Mascari
- Oct 16
- 4 min read
Discover New Joy in Familiar Holiday Music
Did you know that playing Christmas and holiday music can actually make you a better pianist—and give you a delightful return on your investment of time and effort?
In this article, you’ll learn how to breathe new life into classic seasonal favorites while putting your year-round piano skills to work. I’ll share the styles and arrangements I’ve created—and recordings you can listen to—that make holiday music fresh, inspiring, and uniquely you.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas-Bass in 2
One of the best ways to play a medium-tempo tune is with the Bass in 2 accompaniment pattern. I first used this when performing for couples who loved to dance the Foxtrot.
Recently, one of my adult piano students told me that he met his wife in ballroom dance class—so when he learned Bass in 2 for this tune, it became especially meaningful.
The rhythm pattern is dotted quarter – eighth – dotted quarter – eighth, and the notes are based on root–5th–10th–5th.
👉 Learn more in my related post: What Is Bass in 2 & How Does Using It Bring Vitality To Your Piano Playing?
Listen to Have Yourself a Merry Christmas with Bass in 2
O Holy Night-Flowing Style
This carol offers a peaceful contrast to upbeat holiday songs. In my version, the left hand plays a Root–5–8 triplet pattern, creating a rolling motion that supports the melody beautifully.
This approach works perfectly for pieces like Memory, The Impossible Dream, and Send in the Clowns. It’s simple, flowing, and lets your right hand focus on expressive phrasing. This blog article and instructional video will give you a more in depth look at the flowing style. https://www.mascaripiano.com/post/how-to-play-flowing-style-accompaniments-to-enhance-your-songs-with-calm-and-fluid-left-hand-backgr
Listen to O Holy Night in a Flowing Style
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen-Jazz Waltz
Originally written in 4/4 time, this carol takes on new life when transformed into a 3/4 Jazz Waltz.
Once I shifted the time signature, the accompaniment came together naturally—and my adult students love how this rhythm gives the tune an elegant swing. Many learn this style in just a few lessons and are thrilled with the transformation.
Listen to: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen-Jazz Waltz style
To bring everything together, I created a Holiday Medley featuring excerpts from four favorites:
Let It Snow – Bass in 2
Christmas Time Is Here – 10th system accompaniment
Here Comes Santa Claus – Beguine bass
Jingle Bells – Shuffle Bass (see Jazzing Up Jingle Bells with Shuffle Bass)
A medley connects songs so they flow seamlessly from one to the next—something you can easily learn to create yourself. For more, visit my article: How to Make a Medley of Songs on the Piano.
Listen to my Medley of Holiday Hits:
Conclusion
How Holiday Music Helps You Grow as a Pianist
Even my youngest students, years ago, learned holiday songs easily because they already knew the melodies. The same applies to adults: you can make remarkable progress because these tunes are part of your musical memory.
Each December, my adult students are amazed at how their Christmas pieces sound richer and more expressive. That’s because every year of learning builds on what came before—your rhythm, chords, and understanding all grow naturally.
Play Holiday Music Year After Year—See Your Growth
One of the most rewarding things about playing seasonal music is realizing just how much you’ve improved over the past 12 months. Each year, the arrangements you can tackle become richer and more expressive. That’s a return on investment you can hear and feel!
Ready to Bring Fresh Life to Your Piano Playing?
If you’re ready to make your music more vibrant and creative, now is the perfect time to plan for lessons after the holidays.
You might be wondering:
“Can I really learn to play in a new way as an adult?”
Yes, you can. Many of my students—often in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond—discover that learning new accompaniment styles is not only fun but deeply rewarding.
🎵 Piano Lessons with Diana Mascari Learn how to use chord patterns, play with confidence, and make every song your own.
🎶 Composition Lessons with Diana Mascari Explore your creativity by learning to turn musical ideas into original pieces while strengthening your understanding of harmony and structure.
✨ Schedule Your Free 30-Minute Consultation Let’s discuss your musical goals and how you can enjoy piano or composition lessons tailored to your interests.
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American Composer & Jazz Pianist
Teacher of Piano & Composition for Adults
Diana Mascari
American Composer & Jazz Pianist
Teacher of Piano & Composition for Adults
Diana Mascari has taught piano to hundreds of students for more than 47 years. She is dedicated to enriching her students’ lives by supporting their individual musicality.ition L She has developed a teaching system called the Transformational Approach to Piano. It offers her students colorful musical insights that broaden their experience beyond traditional methods.
Diana holds two Masters of Music degrees from New England Conservatory, taught keyboard harmony to music majors at Boston University, and was the music director of a multicultural Presbyterian Church for four decades.
Diana has performed as a solo jazz pianist as well as with her ensembles at many colleges and jazz clubs throughout New England. Many of these performances featured Diana's jazz compositions.
As a composer, she has explored the intersection of jazz and classical music. Her compositions reflect her deep appreciation for musical structure, enhanced by the spontaneity and emotion of jazz. Each piece has a timeless sense and is designed to move and inspire. Her works have been performed in Europe, Japan, and the Eastern United States.
Diana’s vibrant personality infuses her teaching, performing, and composing as she inspires piano students to achieve their musical goals.
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