How to Play Deck the Halls on the 6 Hole Ocarina

About Deck the Halls

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The tune is Welsh and older than the words we sing over it. It comes from “Nos Galan,” a New Year’s Eve melody, and the looping “fa la la” lines are thought to stand in for a harp that once answered each sung phrase. The cheerful English lyrics are much later, added in the 19th century.

That “fa la la” run is the interesting part for a 6-hole player. It steps down through a quick chromatic figure, dropping onto a D flat before it lands, so it is worth playing slowly at first to keep those half steps clean. The rest of the carol is bright and easy.

Deck the Halls Lyrics

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Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la, la la la, la la la. Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Deck the Halls Ocarina Tab

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