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Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Canon Rock - Guitar Lesson

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Key D minor
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Canon Rock guitar lesson video
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Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
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Trans-Siberian Orchestra Hard Rock D minor
Capo Advisor 0 D minor · Original key

About Christmas Canon Rock

At 180 BPM in D minor, "Christmas Canon Rock" is a genuine workout. The piece layers an electric guitar adaptation of Pachelbel's Canon over a driving rock arrangement, so the right hand needs to be precise and consistent throughout, since the repeating chord progression never gives you a break to recover. The challenge is not just speed but cleanliness: every note in those melodic runs has to ring clearly against a busy mix, and the tempo leaves little room for hesitation. Trans-Siberian Orchestra built their identity around exactly this kind of orchestral hard rock writing, where guitar parts must carry both rhythmic weight and melodic detail at the same time. E Standard tuning keeps the open strings available for resonance, which helps when you are sustaining chords beneath faster single-note lines. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the busiest melodic passages slowed down before you attempt them at full tempo.

  • The piece is based on Pachelbel's Canon in D, so the guitar follows a repeating 8-bar chord progression throughout, demanding stamina and consistency.
  • At 180 BPM, the melodic runs require clean alternate picking; looping sections slowed down is the most effective way to build accuracy before full speed.
  • E Standard tuning is used, keeping all open strings available and making chord voicings in D minor more comfortable across the neck.

How to Play Christmas Canon Rock

Tuning: E Standard · Key: D minor · Tempo: 180 BPM

Loop the hardest passage and creep the speed up from around 70 percent until it holds at 180 BPM.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

TSO uses Les Paul-style guitars in the studio for thick, warm rhythm tones that cut through the orchestral arrangements without getting lost. The dual-humbucker design delivers the pronounced midrange needed to sit perfectly between strings and keyboards.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

The Custom's refined electronics and construction provide the articulate, saturated lead tones TSO needs for expressive solos against full orchestral walls. Its tight low-end response helps maintain clarity and punch in the heavily layered arrangements.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

Pitrelli and Caffery rely on the JCM800's aggressive, tight high-gain character for rapid palm-muted rhythms that punctuate TSO's symphonic passages. The amp's focused midrange ensures guitar parts stay defined and cut through the dense instrumental tapestry.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

The Dual Rectifier's thick, saturated lead tone and tight low-end response make it ideal for TSO's expressive solo work over orchestral arrangements. Its dynamic range allows lead passages to breathe and sing without losing articulation in the mix.

Peavey 5150
Amp

Peavey 5150

Pitrelli tracked heavy passages with the 5150's raw, compressed attack and intense gain structure, perfect for the aggressive rhythm sections that anchor TSO's symphonic metal arrangements. The amp's tight response handles fast palm-muted chugs against strings and choir without muddiness.

EMG 81
Pickup

EMG 81

The EMG 81 bridge pickup's tight, compressed attack and 13-16k output range delivers the fast, defined tone TSO needs for rapid position shifts and palm-muted rhythms. Its active design cuts through orchestral layers while maintaining clarity in heavily processed arrangements.

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