The Star-Spangled Banner
John Stafford Smith
- Starts on
- G string, open
- This excerpt
- First 8 bars
- Strings used
- G, D, A
- 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.
Oh say can you see
G
middle-thin
D
middle-thick
A
2nd thickest
By the dawn's early light
G
middle-thin
D
middle-thick
A
2nd thickest
Rhythm in words
Oh say can you seeeee, by the daaawn’s ear-ly liiight.
How to play this
- 1“Oh say can you see” walks G, E, C, E, then holds G, then a higher C.
- 2The jump to fret 5 on G is “see.” Take a breath before you grab it.
- 3Phrase 2 walks C, B, A, G, E, then lands on G — that last G is “light.”
Practice slowly
This one has a leap. Practice just the first five notes until they feel like the words. 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 John Stafford Smith.
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