We Shall Overcome
Spiritual hymn, protest song, Civil Rights anthem
This straightforward arrangement is in the key of C, which is a singable key. This song is a great choice for group singing.
Continue reading “We Shall Overcome: Guitar melody, key of C”This song is often sung and played on New Year’s Eve, while looking back at past year, and looking forward to New Year. Auld Lang Syne is based on a poem by Robert Burns and is a Scots folk tune.
Auld Lang Syne uses predominantly a pentatonic (5-note) major scale. In the key of E, that would be the notes E, F#, G#, B and C#. In this arrangement, in the opening phrase a D# note note appears, but is mainly an embellishment to the pentatonic scale.
Auld Lang Syne can be harmonized with three chords. In the key of E, this is E Major, A Major and B7.
Best wishes in the New Year! Keep on strumming and learning guitar.
Continue reading “Auld Lang Syne: Guitar melody, key of E”Music: George Frederic Handel
Lyrics: Isaac Watts
Music: George Frederic Handel
Lyrics: Isaac Watts
Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
I learned a new song on prior Thanksgiving Day that I would like to share with you.
See related posts for guitar and ukulele.
While I have sung the hymn “We Gather Together” several times, I had not played the song on guitar before. About a half hour before Thanksgiving dinner, my brother asked me to say grace, or prayer before the meal. I had happened to have brought my ukulele with me (but not my guitar), and immediately thought of the hymn, “We Gather Together”.
So in addition to saying grace, I also played and sang this hymn, along with my niece who held my phone so that I could read the lyrics and chords.
Continue reading “Happy Thanksgiving: We Gather Together”
When I searched online for the lyrics and chords for this song, it was in the key of D Major. This is a very singable key, as the melody range is an octave plus one note.
This transcription of the single note melody is in first position of guitar fretboard. This melody also uses open string notes on first 4 strings (D, G, B, E), so key of D also makes it easier for beginner guitar players.
This version of song melody is in key of A Major. This may not be a singable key for everyone, but it might work for women (sopranos) and young children.
This transcription of the single note melody is mainly in first position of guitar fretboard, but it does extend to 7th fret (B note) on the first string (high E).
This A Major melody uses open string notes on first 2 strings (B, E), so that may make it easier for beginner guitar players.
Continue reading “Hymn: We Gather Together, key of A, melody, 1st pos.”