Songs in open-G          Dan Anderson   www.guitar-dan.com

 

Open-G tuning: 6:D  5:G  4:D  3:G  2:B  1:D              String 6 is the thickest string.

q       Use an electric tuner.

q       This tuning is the easiest way to begin. See Jessica Baron Turner’s open-G method books.

q       If you already play, but can’t lead singing without sheet music, consider this remedial training.

q       Since Folk, Gospel, Children’s and Country songs are easiest, it’s best to start with them.

First practice each strum pattern, without fingering chords on the neck.

Second, memorize each chord and practice switching between them.

Third, memorize the following notes on strings 4, 3 and 2. These are the same in standard tuning.

Finally, play and sing the songs you know; look up any lyrics you forget on the internet by typing the title followed by “lyrics”. This approach forces you to play by ear and memory—you’ll thank me later, for not writing in the chord changes (like after playing around a campfire or a room lit only by a Christmas tree)!

 

Chords (used in each song): G:000000  C:000012  D7: 000210  

A7:xxx022   G7:000003   E7:xx0102

q       The left spot is for string 6, the right, string 1. The number indicates the fret fingered.

q       Some of these chords are altered, but they’re good for beginning; each requires only two fingers!

q       Switching to standard tuning is simple. Strings 4, 3 and 2 stay the same.

q       Using an inexpensive capo (visit Guitar Center, 28th St. near Woodland Mall) presses strings closer to frets and puts song in your singing range.

String 4: d(0) e(2) f(3) f#(4)    St.3: g(0) a(2)    St.2: b(0) c(1) c#(2) d(3) e(5)

q       Small letters after each song are the first few melody notes. This helps to begin singing. 

Strum Patterns (SP): I: vv (down)          II: v^v^        III: v v^ 

IV: Pvv (Pick lowest note of chord: G:5 C:5 D:6)       V: Pv^       VI: PvPv

 

q       Tape the rest of this page to the back of your guitar, so you’re always ready to play.

“Amazing Grace”   dg                                                                              SP: I

“He’s Got the Whole World”   ddbd   (no C)                                       SP: II

“Baa Baa Black Sheep”            ggdd                                                    SP: I

“Be Kind to Your Web-Footed Friends”            ddcb            (no C)              SP: II

“Clementine”            gggd            (no C)                                                              SP: IV   In a cavern

 “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow”            gb                                            SP: I

“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”   bg                                                        SP: VI

 “Jambalaya (on the bayou)”            bde            (no C)                                      SP: VI   Goodbye Joe

 “Down in the Valley”             dga            (no C)                                      SP: IV

“This Land is Your Land”   gabc                                                    SP: VI

“Beautiful Dreamer”            gf#g     A7 (chords included with G C D7)    SP: IV

“The Crawdad Song”   bdd                  G7                                           SP: VI   You get a line

“Good Night Ladies (Merrily We Roll Along)”            bgdg                SP: I

“Your Cheaten’ Heart”  dged        A7                   SP: II (include dead-hits on 2nd v^) 

“I Saw the Light”   ddd                                                                  SP: VI    I Wandered

“How Dry I Am”     dgaV  bcbV  gbaV              (no C)            SP: Play melody, strum chord v

“Do Lord”            ddddeg                                                                                    SP: V   I’ve got a home

“In the Garden”            ddbc            A7  Em:xx2002   B7:xxx201                   SP: IV   I come to

“Just a Closer Walk” dd#e                              G7                               SP: V   I am weak

“Deck the Halls”   dcba                           A7                               SP: II

“Go Tell it on the Mountain”               bbage             A7            Capo V         SP: II

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”    dgg      A7  E7   Capo VII       SP: I