Tag: Ludwig van Beethoven

Ode To Joy: Add some joy to your guitar repertoire

‘Ode To Joy’ is a well-known melody from the prelude to the fourth movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Today this melody appears in the official anthem of the European Union.

Here are some links to articles if you would like to know more about Ludwig van Beethoven’s melody, the poem, ‘Ode To Joy’, by German poet, playwright, and historian Friedrich Schiller, and some history regarding this poem and melody.

In addition, this is a great melody for beginning guitar players to learn. I will explain four reasons why you should include this song in your music practice sessions, and later your guitar repertoire.

This is the introduction to a series of articles on how to play ‘Ode To Joy’ in various ways and keys, in order to learn several guitar playing techniques and skills and explore the guitar fretboard. Stay tuned for additional articles.

Simple melody: Only 5 notes

‘Ode To Joy’ uses only the first five notes of a Major Scale, also known as the “do re mi” scale. So that would be these notes: do, re, mi, fa, so. The 5th scale note (“so”) appears as both a high sounding “so” and low sounding “so”. So, technically speaking, there are six notes, but the “so” appears in two different places.

Continue reading “Ode To Joy: Add some joy to your guitar repertoire”

Ode To Joy: Play Melody in Key of C (1st pos.)

This familiar tune composed by Ludwig van Beethoven has a relatively simple melody (only 5 notes). It’s also a good tune for beginner guitarists to learn. Read this related introductory article about this tune for more background information.

‘Ode To Joy’ uses only the first five notes of a Major Scale, also known as the “do re mi” scale. So that would be these notes: do, re, mi, fa, so. The 5th scale note (“so”) appears as both a high sounding “so” and low sounding “so”. So, technically speaking, there are six notes, but the “so” appears in two different places.

In the key of C, that would be notes C, D, E, F and G. The “so” note in key of C is the G note. The play-by-number guitar tablature for ‘Ode To Joy’ in the key of C is below. This arrangement is in first position, which indicates your index finger is playing at fret 1.

I’ve included the chord grids and chord names above the measures. If you already know these chords, you can also learn the accompaniment. If you have a friend who plays guitar or piano, they can accompany you with just three chords (C, F and G).

To view smartphone-friendly chord grids and tablature, keep reading…

Continue reading “Ode To Joy: Play Melody in Key of C (1st pos.)”

Ode To Joy: Play Melody in Key of G (1st pos.)

This familiar tune composed by Ludwig van Beethoven has a relatively simple melody (only 5 notes). It’s also a good tune for beginner guitarists to learn. Read this related introductory article about this tune for more background information.

‘Ode To Joy’ uses only the first five notes of a Major Scale, also known as the “do re mi” scale. So that would be these notes: do, re, mi, fa, so. The 5th scale note (“so”) appears as both a high sounding “so” and low sounding “so”. So, technically speaking, there are six notes, but the “so” appears in two different places.

In the key of G, that would be notes G, A, B, C and D. The “so” note in key of G is the D note. The play-by-number guitar tablature for ‘Ode To Joy’ in the key of G is below. This arrangement is in first position, which indicates your index finger is playing at fret 1.

I’ve included the chord grids and chord names above the measures. If you already know these chords, you can also learn the accompaniment. If you have a friend who plays guitar or piano, they can accompany you with just three chords (G, C and D).

To view smartphone-friendly chord grids and tablature, keep reading…

Continue reading “Ode To Joy: Play Melody in Key of G (1st pos.)”