Beginner melody · key of C major
When the Saints Go Marching In — Easy Guitar Tab
When the Saints Go Marching In — Traditional American spiritual. In the key of C major, 4/4 time — a great first melody for new players. Public domain.
When the Saints Go Marching In — guitar tab
C C C e|---------|------------|---------|------------| B|---------|------------|---------|------------| G|---------|-0----------|---------|-0----------| D|----2--3-|------------|----2--3-|------------| A|-3-------|------------|-3-------|------------| E|---------|------------|---------|------------| C C C G7 e|---------|------------|------------|------------| B|---------|------------|------------|------------| G|---------|-0----------|------------|------------| D|----2--3-|-------2----|-------2----|-0----------| A|-3-------|------------|-3----------|------------| E|---------|------------|------------|------------| C C C7 F e|---------|------------|------------|------------| B|---------|------------|------------|------------| G|---------|------------|-------0----|-0----------| D|-2--2--0-|------------|-2----------|----3-------| A|---------|-3--------3-|------------|------------| E|---------|------------|------------|------------| C C C G7 C e|------|------------|------------|------------| B|------|------------|------------|------------| G|------|-0----------|------------|------------| D|-2--3-|-------2----|-------0----|------------| A|------|------------|-3----------|-3----------| E|------|------------|------------|------------|
Standard tuning. Top line = thin high E string. Numbers are frets (0 = open string). This tab uses frets 0–3 on strings 3, 4, 5.
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
CG7C7F
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 C; the guitar is written an octave higher than it sounds, so this tab matches standard guitar notation.
More beginner melodies
Beginner · C majorOh! SusannaStephen Foster (1848)Beginner · G majorJingle Bells (chorus)James Lord Pierpont (1857)Beginner · G majorAmazing GraceTraditional hymn tune "New Britain" (1829)Beginner · C majorRow, Row, Row Your BoatTraditional (19th century)Beginner · C majorThree Blind MiceTraditional English round (1609)Beginner · D majorPachelbel's Canon (main theme)Johann Pachelbel (c. 1680)
Questions
Is When the Saints Go Marching In 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 When the Saints Go Marching In?
This arrangement uses C, G7, C7, F in the key of C.