Skip to song content

James Pierpont - Jingle Bells Chords

ChordsC, F, G, G7, D
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to D,A keys to play this song with easier chords.

We’reCdashingthroughthesnow
Inaone-horseopenFsleigh,
AcrossthefieldsweGgo,
G7LaughingalltheCway(Ho,Ho,Ho)
Bellsonbobtailsring,
MakingspiritsFbright,
WhatfunitistoGrideandsingaG7sleighingsongCtonight.
CJinglebells,jinglebells,jinglealltheway,
FOh,whatfunitCistoride
InaDone-horseopenGsleigh,G7hey!
CJinglebells,jinglebells,jinglealltheway,
FOh,whatfunitCistoride
InaGone-horseG7openCsleigh.
We’reCdashingthroughthesnow
Inaone-horseopenFsleigh,
AcrossthefieldsweGgo,
G7LaughingalltheCway(Ho,Ho,Ho)
Bellsonbobtailsring,
MakingspiritsFbright,
WhatfunitistoGrideandsingaG7sleighingsongCtonight.
CJinglebells,jinglebells,jinglealltheway,
FOh,whatfunitCistoride
InaDone-horseopenGsleigh,G7hey!
CJinglebells,jinglebells,jinglealltheway,
FOh,whatfunitCistoride
InaGone-horseG7openCsleigh.
AlbumSingle
Year1857
KeyC
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play Jingle Bells on Guitar (Step-by-step)

James Pierpont - Jingle Bells on guitar requires 5 chords and 7 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↑↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

Jingle Bells uses these transitions most often: C → F (8), G → G7 (8), and G7 → C (8). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with C - F chord transition.

1. C → F chord transition

Switching from C to F:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
  3. Keep ring finger on A string fret 3.
  4. Place pinky on D string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 8 times.

C to F

2. F → G chord transition

Here's how to move from F to G:

  1. While playing F, lift your pinky from D string fret 3.
  2. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
  3. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
  4. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 4 times.

F to G

3. G → G7 chord transition

Switching from G to G7:

  1. Keep index finger on A string fret 2.
  2. Keep middle finger on E string fret 3.
  3. Slide your ring finger on E string from fret 3 to fret 1.

This transition appears in the verse, played 8 times.

G to G7

4. G7 → C chord transition

To move from G7 to C:

  1. Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 3.

This transition appears in the verse, played 8 times.

G7 to C

5. C → D chord transition

Here's how to move from C to D:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 2 times.

6. D → G chord transition

To move from D to G:

  1. Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
  3. Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 2 times.

7. C → G chord transition

Here's how to move from C to G:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
  3. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 2 times.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Jingle Bells.

  • Jingle Bells includes 38 chord transitions, 7 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • Jingle Bells contains 5 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Jingle Bells connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → G: 35%
    • C → F: 16%
    After F, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (40%), G (21%), and Am (11%).
    • F → C: 40%
    • F → G: 21%