This is my fingerstyle guitar arrangement for the Star Spangled Banner. This arrangement is in the key of C, so it is related to the single note melody of this anthem, also posted on this site.
Most of this piece is in first position on the guitar. There are a few places where you need to play in 3rd position. So there is not a lot of movement horizontally along the fretboard.
In measures 5 and 21 (not counting opening pickup notes) there is a C major chord in 3rd position, which uses 2 open strings and doubles the G and E notes. This makes for a bright sound and makes the melody stand out on the words “proud-ly” and “ram-parts”. The shorthand chord tablature for this chord is x35050, so the notes are C-G-G-E-E.
I like to play this instrumental version of Star Spangled Banner first when I play at the local winter farmers market. Just as with sporting events, this is a good way to start the morning and my first musical set. This is a good song to know for events and gigs where it might be appropriate to include.
Happy Independence Day (4th of July)!
Chords used in this song
These chords are listed in the order they first appear in the music.
Melody tablature with chord accompaniment
