Beginner melody · key of G minor
Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells) — Easy Guitar Tab
Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells) — Mykola Leontovych (1916), Ukrainian folk chant. In the key of G minor, 3/4 time — a great first melody for new players. Public domain.
Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells) — guitar tab
Gm Gm Gm Gm e|------------|------------|------------|------------| B|------------|------------|------------|------------| G|-3--2--3--0-|-3--2--3--0-|-3--2--3--0-|-3--2--3--0-| D|------------|------------|------------|------------| A|------------|------------|------------|------------| E|------------|------------|------------|------------| Gm Gm Gm Gm e|------------|------------|------------|------------| B|-3--1--3----|-3--1--3----|-3--1--3----|-3--1--3----| G|----------3-|----------3-|----------3-|----------3-| 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 2, 3.
The notes, in letters, numbers or Do-Re-Mi
Show notes as
Numbers and Do-Re-Mi count from the key note (G), so you can sing it or play it in any key.
Chords
Gm
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
Beginner · C majorCamptown RacesStephen Foster (1850)Beginner · E majorSpring (The Four Seasons) — openingAntonio Vivaldi (1725)Beginner · E minorGod Rest Ye Merry, GentlemenTraditional English carolBeginner · C minorSymphony No. 5 (opening motif)Ludwig van Beethoven (1808)Beginner · G majorYankee DoodleTraditional American (18th century)Beginner · C majorGoin' Home (Largo, New World Symphony)Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No. 9 (1893)
Questions
Is Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells) 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 Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells)?
This arrangement uses Gm in the key of G.