“What a Wonderful World,” made iconic by Louis Armstrong, is a timeless classic cherished for its hopeful message and beautiful melody. If you’re looking to add this heartwarming song to your guitar repertoire, you’ve come to the right place. This lesson will guide you through playing “What a Wonderful World” on guitar, focusing on accessible chords and techniques perfect for guitarists of all levels.
This arrangement is inspired by the personal journey of a guitarist facing life’s challenges, who found solace and expression in this song. Whether you’re preparing for a performance, learning a meaningful song, or simply want to capture the optimistic spirit of “What a Wonderful World” on your guitar, this tutorial provides everything you need.
Diving into the Chords of “What a Wonderful World”
Originally performed by Louis Armstrong in the key of F, we’ll be exploring this song in the key of C. Why C? The key of C offers guitarists a more open and resonant sound, utilizing chords that feel comfortable and natural on the fretboard. While staying true to the song’s essence, this adaptation in C makes it incredibly approachable for guitar players, especially those who enjoy the richness of open string chords.
Let’s start by looking at a basic chord progression for “What a Wonderful World” as commonly found online, transposed to the key of C:
Internet Arrangement part 1
Internet Arrangement part 2
These chords provide a foundation, but to truly capture the nuance and beauty of “What a Wonderful World,” we can delve deeper into a more expressive arrangement.
Unveiling the Melody
Understanding the melody is key to playing any song beautifully. “What a Wonderful World” boasts a memorable and singable melody. Here’s a breakdown of the melody for the verses and chorus (bridge) to help you internalize the tune:
Melody – verses 1 and 2
Melody – chorus
Melody – verse 3
(Download MP3 of Melody) Download MP3
Audio file for learning the melody of “What a Wonderful World” to aid in understanding the song’s musical phrasing.
Listening to the melody and even humming or singing along will greatly enhance your understanding of how the chords and notes fit together when you play it on guitar.
Crafting a Richer Guitar Arrangement
While basic chords get you started, a more detailed arrangement can elevate your performance. This arrangement focuses on incorporating bass line movement and melody notes within the chords themselves, creating a fuller and more engaging sound – ideal for solo guitar or accompanying vocals.
Let’s look at the first verse with a refined chord arrangement:
First Verse
Notice the descending bass line in the first two lines (C to B to A to G, and D to C to B to A) and the ascending movement in the turnaround (C to E to F to G). These bass movements add depth and sophistication to the progression. Furthermore, the chord voicings are carefully selected to emphasize melody notes on the higher strings. For example, in the first line, avoid playing the high E string on the C chord to let the melody note shine on the second string.
Favorites within this verse include the F6/A chord. This voicing allows for the A melody note on the first string while creating a rich, open sound with the open fifth and fourth strings. The turnaround chords at the end of the verse are also notable for their ascending bass line and the sustained high E string, acting as a pedal tone that creates a captivating harmonic effect.
(Listen to First Verse – Bass Strum) Download MP3
Audio example of the first verse played with a bass-strum technique, emphasizing the movement in the bass line.
(Listen to First Verse – Finger Style) Download MP3
Audio example of the first verse played fingerstyle, showcasing arpeggiated chords and melody note emphasis.
Verse Two: Subtle Variations
The second verse is very similar to the first, with a slight change in the ending:
Second Verse
The primary difference lies in the final measures, offering a slight variation while maintaining the familiar harmonic progression. When playing the C and F chords in the ending, try to avoid the high E string to emphasize the C melody note on the second string.
(Listen to Second Verse) Download MP3
Audio example of the second verse, played with a rhythmic style highlighting the chord changes and melodic flow.
The Chorus (Bridge): Adding Intensity
The chorus (often technically referred to as the bridge in song structure) provides a lift and emotional expansion to the song:
Bridge
The G chords in the chorus are voiced to include the D melody note on the second string. The Csus4 to C progression adds a touch of harmonic interest, emphasizing the melody’s movement. The Am7 chords are presented as barre chords to bring out the A melody note on the first string. The G chords following the Am7 can be played as open chords if preferred, but barre chords offer a smooth transition.
Optional “Blackbird” licks, inspired by the Beatles’ song, can be incorporated in fingerstyle playing to add a flourish in the first measure of the first two lines:
Blackbird Lick
(Listen to Chorus – Strummed) Download MP3
Audio example of the chorus (bridge) strummed simply, without the “Blackbird” lick, for a foundational understanding.
(Listen to Chorus – Finger Style) Download MP3
Audio example of the chorus (bridge) played fingerstyle, incorporating the “Blackbird” lick and a subtle “I love you” melody at the end.
In the fingerstyle chorus example, you’ll hear the “Blackbird” lick and a clever inclusion at the end – a brief melodic hint of “I love you” within the Dm7/A to Em/G chord progression, adding a sweet touch.
Verse Three and the Gentle Fade-Out
The third verse mirrors the first two in its opening but concludes with a slightly extended and peaceful ending:
Third Verse
For the final three chords, emphasizing the melody notes is crucial. Avoid the first string on the first C and F7 chords to bring out the melody on the second string. The very last C chord, accompanying “yeah!”, can be played fully and sustained.
(Listen to Third Verse) Download MP3
Audio example of the third verse, played with a thumb-strumming technique, providing a different rhythmic texture.
Creating an Instrumental Intro
To make your rendition sound complete and polished, an intro is essential. A chord melody intro, derived from the verse’s ending (“…and I say to myself, what a wonderful world”), works beautifully as a gentle lead-in:
Intro
(Listen to Intro) Download MP3
Audio example of the intro, demonstrating the chord melody arrangement and its function as a musical invitation to the song.
This intro sets the mood and smoothly transitions into the vocal part of the song.
The Complete “Wonderful World” Arrangement
Now, putting it all together, here’s the complete arrangement of “What a Wonderful World,” from intro to outro:
What a Wonderful World – part 1
What a Wonderful World – part 1
What a Wonderful World – part 1
What a Wonderful World – part 1
(Listen to Complete Arrangement) Download MP3
Audio demonstration of the entire “What a Wonderful World” guitar arrangement, showcasing the intro, verses, chorus, and outro.
This complete arrangement provides a solid foundation, but remember, music is about personal expression. Feel free to experiment with strumming patterns, fingerstyle techniques, and dynamics to make it your own.
Final Thoughts
Learning “What a Wonderful World” on guitar is a rewarding journey. This arrangement offers a blend of simplicity and richness, making it accessible yet musically satisfying. Practice each section, listen to the audio examples, and gradually piece the song together. The beauty of music lies in personal interpretation, so find what sounds good to you and enjoy bringing this timeless classic to life on your guitar.
Keep practicing, explore different approaches, and most importantly, enjoy the process of learning and playing this wonderful song!
