Happy Birthday
Traditional
- Starts on
- G string, open
- This excerpt
- Main melody
- Strings used
- G, B
- Written in
- Open-string version
The tab
Tab is short for tablature: a picture of the strings. Numbers are frets. 0 means play the string open.
Computer notes — not the original recording.
Happy birthday to you
B
2nd thinnest
G
middle-thin
Happy birthday to you
B
2nd thinnest
G
middle-thin
Rhythm in words
Haaap-py birth-day to youuu. Haaap-py birth-day to youuu.
How to play this
- 10 on G is the open G string — the third string from the bottom of the tab.
- 2The first two notes are a short “Hap-py.” The first one is a little longer.
- 3Hop to the B string for “to you,” and hold the last note.
Practice slowly
The two lines start the same. Only the ending changes. Start with Hear the notes at full speed or slower, then copy on the guitar. If a note buzzes, press a little closer to the fret wire — not in the middle of the space.
This arrangement is a simplified educational excerpt for learning. Playback is a computer playing the tab notes, not the original recording. It is not a full transcription and is not affiliated with Traditional.
Play next
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Traditional
Main melody · Starts on B string, 1st fret
Open tabHot Cross Buns
Traditional
Main melody · Starts on B string, 3rd fret
Open tabMary Had a Little Lamb
Traditional
Main melody · Starts on B string, 3rd fret
Open tab