We go from a song that people either love or hate to one most kids seem to enjoy. It’s also a tune that consistently hangs around the top 10 most played Christmas songs on the radio, according to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers — Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Johnny Marks wrote the song and Gene Autry made it a hit in 1949.

Admittedly, I’m not fond of Rudolph, but my daughter likes it quite a bit so I committed to learning the song. My teacher helped me add some interesting twists that make it fun and a little more challenging to play:

Next time I get the family to join me for a song from 1857.