Before schmaltzy Christmas Number Ones came along, it was carols that provided the soundtrack to the festivities.

They’re still popular today of course, but if carollers want to keep it that way they’ll need to be careful which songs they sing.

That’s according to the master of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, Ian Tracey, who has compiled a list of carols to avoid if singers don’t want their festive cheer to fall flat.

Number one on his list is Ding Dong Merrily on High, which for all its sentimentality, Ian deems the hardest carol to pull off, thanks to its “Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis” chorus.

“Ding Dong Merrily On High seems to be one that people love to sing,” says Ian.

“But it’s really easy to mess up – even for accomplished singers.”

Others Ian advises amateurs to avoid include We Three Kings from Orient Are and Angels We Have Heard on High. Instead, he recommends playing it safe with childhood favourites like Away in A Manger.

“It’s great that there is an enthusiasm to get out there and sing seasonal songs at this time of year, but there’s nothing worse than when people try and sing something way above their capability,” he says.

However Sandie Elkins, the founder of Christchurch’s Funky Little Choir, reckons Ian needs to lighten up.

“It doesn’t matter if you sing out of tune, it’s about getting in the spirit of Christmas,” says Sandie.

“We were singing at Wick Green in Southbourne last night and it was the carols that people loved. Carol singing gives families the opportunity to do something together.”

Alison Russell Hayward, musical director of the New Forest Children’s Choir, admits that some carols are easier to sing than others.

“There’s this thought that they are easy, but they can be quite difficult to sing,” she says.

However, Alison, whose choir was named BBC’s Children’s Choir of the Year this month, thinks everyone should have a go at carolling – regardless of ability.

“It’s a special tradition that we have and I think anyone should sing them,” she says.

“Although if you are performing them and charging people money then perhaps you should leave it to the professionals.”

While Ian might be right about the difficulties of singing Ding Dong Merrily on High, Sandie thinks it’s absurd that carollers should be put off.

“That’s the one everyone loves, it’s the essence of Christmas,” she says.

“The chorus, laaaaa la la la la la laaaa, is the bit people are most likely to join in on.”

So does Sandie have any advice for carollers?

“The bits people think you shouldn’t sing, sing louder,” laughs Sandie, although she does have some rules.

“My Christmas faux pas is All I Want For Christmas Is You, by Mariah Carey – I won’t let my choir sing it.”

* The carol Ding Dong Merrily on High melody dates back to 15th-century France, although it wasn’t until the 19th century that English composer, George Ratcliffe Woodward, added the lyrics – putting the finishing touches to what is one of the most popular Christmas carols today.