Beginner melody · key of C major
Happy Birthday to You — Easy Guitar Tab
Happy Birthday to You — Mildred & Patty Hill (1893 melody "Good Morning to All"). In the key of C major, 3/4 time — a great first melody for new players. Public domain.
Happy Birthday to You — guitar tab
C G G e|------|---------|------------|---------| B|------|-------1-|-0----------|-------3-| G|-0--0-|-2--0----|-------0--0-|-2--0----| D|------|---------|------------|---------| A|------|---------|------------|---------| E|------|---------|------------|---------| C C7 F C G e|------------|-3--0----|-------1--1-|-0-------| B|-1----------|-------1-|-0----------|----1--3-| G|-------0--0-|---------|----2-------|---------| D|------------|---------|------------|---------| A|------------|---------|------------|---------| E|------------|---------|------------|---------| C e|------| B|-1----| G|------| D|------| A|------| E|------|
Standard tuning. Top line = thin high E string. Numbers are frets (0 = open string). This tab uses frets 0–3 on strings 1, 2, 3.
The notes, in letters, numbers or Do-Re-Mi
Show notes as
Numbers and Do-Re-Mi count from the key note (C), so you can sing it or play it in any key.
Chords
CGC7F
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 G; the guitar is written an octave higher than it sounds, so this tab matches standard guitar notation.
More beginner melodies
Intermediate · A minorIn the Hall of the Mountain KingEdvard Grieg, Peer Gynt (1875)Intermediate · C majorAura LeeGeorge R. Poulton (1861) — the melody later used for "Love Me Tender"Beginner · C majorCamptown RacesStephen Foster (1850)Beginner · G majorWe Wish You a Merry ChristmasTraditional English carolBeginner · D majorPachelbel's Canon (main theme)Johann Pachelbel (c. 1680)Beginner · C majorOh! SusannaStephen Foster (1848)
Questions
Is Happy Birthday to You easy to play on guitar?
Yes — this version stays between frets 0 and 3 and it is rated beginner. Start slowly with the speed slider and speed up as it gets comfortable.
What chords go with Happy Birthday to You?
This arrangement uses C, G, C7, F in the key of C.