How to Play “Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber (Key of G)
Welcome back to the party- the Underground Guirtar Party!
If you’re looking for the ultimate crowd-pleaser for your holiday setlist, look no further. Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe” is a modern Christmas classic that is surprisingly easy to play. While the original is often played with a capo or in a different tuning, playing it in the Key of G makes it accessible for beginners and keeps those cozy, open-chord sounds ringing out.
Get Yours Here with EZ Payments from ZZounds.com- I did!
🎸 Cordoba Stage
🔊 Supro Delta King 12 Amp
📻 Headrush Core Guitar FX Modeler
*Please purchase using my links.
I’ll get a small commission from your gear and it helps me a lot.
The Essentials
Before you start strumming, here is the official credit for the track:
The song “Mistletoe” is copyright 2011 Island Records, performed by Justin Bieber and released on October 17, 2011.
1. The Chords You’ll Need
The best part about playing this song in G Major is that it uses the “Big Four” chords. If you know these, you can play the entire song:
- G Major: The root of our song.
- D Major: The bright, transition chord.
- E Minor (Em): Adds that slightly mellow, soulful vibe.
- C Major: The perfect “lift” for the chorus.
2. The Chord Progression
The song follows a very consistent loop. Whether you are playing the verse or the chorus, the order stays the same: G → D → Em → C
3. The Rhythm and Strumming
To get that “reggae-lite” acoustic feel that makes the song so catchy, aim for a relaxed tempo. A great strumming pattern to use is: Down, Down-Up, (pause), Up-Down-Up
Focus on accenting the “backbeat” (the 2 and the 4) to give it that signature Bieber bounce.
NOTE* If that “reggae-lite” bounce feels a bit tricky at first, don’t let it slow you down! You can easily swap it for a simple Down-Down-Up-Up-Down-Up pattern, or even just four steady down-strums per chord. At the end of the day, the technical details are much less important than the feeling you put into it. The most important thing is that you sing along and have fun, so don’t get caught up in being perfect—just relax, enjoy the moment, and let the holiday spirit take over.
4. Quick Tips for Success
- The “Short” Chords: If you’re a beginner, you can use a “C add9” instead of a standard C Major to keep your fingers closer to the G chord shape.
- Listen to the Percussion: The original track has a very distinct “snap” sound. Try muting the strings with your palm on the second beat of every measure to mimic that percussion.
Happy practicing, and enjoy bringing some holiday cheer to your next jam session!
Would you like me to create a simple chord chart with the lyrics so you can follow along while you play?
Please Say Thanks ☕
*If you found this video valuable, consider leaving a tip as a thank you!
Your support fuels this channel and helps me provide for my family.
Thank you so much!
💸 PayPal: paypal.me/RobHamm
💚CashApp: $RobHammPhoto
#Mistletoe #JustinBieber #ChristmasMusic #HolidayVibes #UnderTheMistletoe GuitarTutorial #KeyOfG #AcousticGuitar #BeginnerGuitar #GuitarLesson #Chords #LearnGuitar
