| There are many ways to notate music on the | | | | Let's play Happy Birthday To You. We can divide |
| guitar. You can use sheet music easy to | | | | the song into four parts: |
| understand when you have learned to read sheet | | | | 1. Start by playing the open third string twice. |
| music. To learn to read sheet music on the guitar | | | | When you play a string without pressing down a |
| is however not so easy for many students. | | | | fret is called to play an open string. Then you |
| What different ways are there to notate guitar | | | | press down the second fret on the third string |
| melodies? | | | | and the open third string. Play the first fret of the |
| 1. You can use guitar sheet music. The advantage | | | | second string and the open second string. It will |
| is that it is universal, meaning that other | | | | look like this: |
| instrumentalists will understand the notation. | | | | 0/3 0/3 2/3 0/3 1/2 0/2 |
| 2. You can use guitar tablature. A tablature staff | | | | 2. Play the open third string twice. Play the second |
| consists of six lines representing the six strings on | | | | fret on the third string and the open third string. |
| a guitar. Number on the lines indicate what fret to | | | | Play the third fret of the second string and the |
| press down. Guitar tablature is very common on | | | | first fret on the second string. It will look like this: |
| the net and is a widely used. | | | | 0/3 0/3 2/3 0/3 3/2 1/2 |
| 3. Use another system. | | | | 3. Play the open third string twice. The third fret |
| 4. Describe with words how to play the melody | | | | on the first string and the open first string. The |
| on the guitar. | | | | first fret string two and open second string. |
| In this article I will use an easy system that | | | | Second fret on the third string. It will look like this: |
| doesn't need a staff and I will also describe how | | | | 0/3 0/3 3/1 0/1 1/2 0/2 2/3 |
| to play the melody on the guitar with words. We | | | | 4. We finish the song by playing the first fret first |
| will learn to play the melody Happy Birthday To | | | | string twice. Open first string and first fret second |
| You. | | | | string. Third fret second string and first fret |
| How to read the guitar notation | | | | second string. |
| The first number tells you what fret to press | | | | 1/1 1/1 0/1 1/2 3/2 1/2 |
| down. The second number what string to play on. | | | | Learning to play the song Happy Birthday To You |
| An example: | | | | on guitar is a good investment. According to the |
| 1/2 | | | | Guinness Book of World Records, "Happy Birthday |
| This means, press down the first fret on the | | | | to You" is among the top three most popular |
| second string. | | | | songs in the English language. |