“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” is a timeless classic, beloved by children and adults alike. Its simple melody and repetitive structure make it an ideal first song for anyone learning to play the guitar. If you’re looking for an easy and rewarding way to start your guitar journey, learning “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” on guitar tabs is the perfect place to begin.
Getting Started with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Guitar Tabs
Why is “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” such a great choice for beginner guitarists? Firstly, the melody is incredibly familiar, making it easier to recognize and learn. Secondly, it primarily uses natural notes, meaning you won’t need to worry about sharps or flats, simplifying the learning process. For playing this song on guitar, you’ll only need basic knowledge of your instrument, understanding what the strings and frets are. The song is typically played in standard tuning (EADGBE), which is the most common tuning for guitars.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Guitar Tabs and Notes
Below you’ll find the guitar tablature and standard notation for “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. Guitar tabs are a simplified way to read music for guitar, showing you exactly which string and fret to play. The lines represent your guitar strings (from thinnest at the top to thickest at the bottom), and the numbers indicate the fret to press down. A ‘0’ means you play the open string.
Guitar tablature and standard music notation for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, displaying the melody notes for easy guitar learning.
Step-by-Step Guide to Playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on Guitar
Let’s break down how to play “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” using the guitar tabs. As you can see in the tab, the melody primarily uses the higher strings of your guitar – the E, B, and G strings.
Focus on playing each note individually at first. For example, the first note is on the 5th fret of the high E string. Place your finger just behind the 5th fret and pluck the string. Continue this for each note, following the tab.
A helpful tip for learning this song is to notice its ABBA structure. Measures 1-4 are musically identical to measures 9-12, and measures 5-6 are the same as measures 7-8. This repetition simplifies the learning process considerably. You really only need to learn two short musical phrases and repeat them in the correct order.
Start practicing slowly. Use a metronome or a simple beat to keep time. Repetition is key! The more you play it slowly and correctly, the faster and smoother you will become. You can break the song down into smaller sections – perhaps just learning the first four measures initially, and then adding on more as you become comfortable.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Guitar Chords and Lyrics
Once you are comfortable with the melody, you can explore playing chords along with the song. Here are the lyrics and basic chords for “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” in two common keys: G major and C major.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (short version) in the key of G
(G)Twinkle, twinkle, (C)little (G)star,
(C)How I (G)wonder (D)what you (G)are!
Up (C)above the (G)world so (D)high,
(G)Like a (C)diamond (G)in the (D)sky.
(G)Twinkle, twinkle, (C)little (G)star,
(C)How I (G)wonder (D)what you (G)are!
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (short version) in the key of C
(C)Twinkle, twinkle, (F)little (C)star,
(F)How I (C)wonder (G)what you (C)are!
Up (F)above the (C)world so (G)high,
(C)Like a (F)diamond (C)in the (G)sky.
(C)Twinkle, twinkle, (F)little (G)star,
(F)How I (C)wonder (G)what you (C)are!
These chords are fundamental in guitar playing. G, C, and D are common beginner chords in the key of G, and C, F, and G are similarly common in the key of C. Practice transitioning smoothly between these chords. Start by simply strumming each chord once per measure as you sing or play the melody. Simple down strums are perfect to begin with.
Expanding Your Skills: Beyond the Melody
After mastering the basic melody and chords, you can further explore “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. For a richer sound, consider the full accompaniment version, which you can download as a PDF. You can also find versions for other instruments like ukulele and flute, which can help you understand how the same melody can be adapted for different instruments.
If you want to experiment with different sounds, try using a capo. The original article mentions how using a capo can change the key of the song, allowing you to play in A, B, C, D, E, or F major. This is a great way to explore different tonal colors and find keys that suit your voice or other instruments you might be playing with.
Musical Elements of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Understanding the basic musical elements of a song can deepen your appreciation and playing. “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” is written in:
- Key: The version presented here is in the key of G major.
- Time Signature: 4/4 time signature, meaning there are four beats in each measure.
The 4/4 time signature music symbol, indicating four beats per measure for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
- Tempo: A moderate tempo of around 100 BPM (beats per minute), often marked as Moderately.
The 100 BPM symbol and numbers, representing the moderately paced tempo of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
These elements contribute to the song’s gentle and sing-song quality, making it perfect for its intended audience.
Conclusion
“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” is more than just a children’s song; it’s a fantastic gateway to learning guitar. By starting with the guitar tabs and gradually adding chords and exploring different keys, you’ll build a solid foundation in your guitar playing journey. So grab your guitar, follow these tabs, and start twinkling! Happy playing!
