Beginner melody · key of E minor
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen — Easy Guitar Tab
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen — Traditional English carol. In the key of E minor, 4/4 time — a great first melody for new players. Public domain.
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen — guitar tab
Em Em Em e|---|------------|------------|------------| B|---|----0--0----|------------|------------| G|---|----------2-|-0----------|-------0--2-| D|-2-|-2----------|----4--2--0-|-2--4-------| A|---|------------|------------|------------| E|---|------------|------------|------------| B7 Em Em Em e|------------|------------|------------|------------| B|-0----------|----0--0----|------------|------------| G|------------|----------2-|-0----------|-------0--2-| D|----------2-|-2----------|----4--2--0-|-2--4-------| A|------------|------------|------------|------------| E|------------|------------|------------|------------| B7 e|---------| B|-0-------| G|---------| D|---------| A|---------| E|---------|
Standard tuning. Top line = thin high E string. Numbers are frets (0 = open string). This tab uses frets 0–4 on strings 2, 3, 4.
The notes, in letters, numbers or Do-Re-Mi
Show notes as
Numbers and Do-Re-Mi count from the key note (E), so you can sing it or play it in any key.
Chords
EmB7
How to practise it
- Press Play and follow the highlighted numbers in the tab. Slow the speed slider down until you can follow every note.
- Play along slowly, one bar at a time. Use one finger per fret: frets 1, 2, 3 and 4 get fingers 1, 2, 3 and 4.
- When the melody feels comfortable, untick Play chords too and play it alone, then try strumming the chords while the player plays the tune.
- Test your ear in the melody trainer: it plays a phrase and you name its last note — or, on Advanced and Master, tap out every note you hear.
The lowest note is D; the guitar is written an octave higher than it sounds, so this tab matches standard guitar notation.
More beginner melodies
Intermediate · F majorAngels We Have Heard on HighTraditional French carol "Les Anges dans nos campagnes"Intermediate · A minorKorobeiniki (the "Tetris" tune)Traditional Russian folk song (1861)Beginner · G minorShchedryk (Carol of the Bells)Mykola Leontovych (1916), Ukrainian folk chantBeginner · C minorSymphony No. 5 (opening motif)Ludwig van Beethoven (1808)Beginner · D majorPachelbel's Canon (main theme)Johann Pachelbel (c. 1680)Beginner · G majorWe Wish You a Merry ChristmasTraditional English carol
Questions
Is God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen easy to play on guitar?
Yes — this version stays between frets 0 and 4 and it is rated beginner. Start slowly with the speed slider and speed up as it gets comfortable.
What chords go with God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen?
This arrangement uses Em, B7 in the key of E.