SANTA BABY performed by Eartha Kit has become a classic, well-loved and well covered Christmas Hit.
This is a fairly straight forward open chords (with a capo) and a simple strumming pattern. The song becomes more difficult but fun when we start to add in the bass notes that transition from chord to chord in the intro and verses.
Key: C
Capo: 1st Fret
Time Signature: 4/4
THE SONG
Chords:
The chords for the whole song: (Use Fmaj7 as an alternative if you’re not able to play the F/C).
3 LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY
EASIEST
Simple down-strums on each beat
Intro: Play the first 2 bars of the Verse twice
Verse 1
Verse 2
Chorus
SONG STRUCTURE: Intro | Verse 1 | Verse 2 | Chorus | Verse 3 | Verse 4 | Verse 5 | Chorus
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Here we introduce a thumb/fingers strum style. Pick the root note of the each chord with your thumb and follow that with a down-flick of your fingers to play the remainder of the chord notes.
By then muting the strings after each pick it will create a softly broken rhythm that contributes toward the feel of the song.
I reserve this picking/strumming style for the intro and verses. The rest of the song I play full strums. This helps build the dynamics of the song.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Incorporate the bass notes into the Intro and first 6 bars of each Verse section. Once you get to the G & G7 stabs in the Verse play full down strums (build the momentum).
🎸 For additional video lesson help with this lesson ⤵️
🎸FULL SONG PLAY THROUGH⤵️