“What Child Is This” is a timeless Christmas carol, instantly recognizable and deeply moving. Its beautiful melody, adapted from the traditional English folk song “Greensleeves,” resonates with the spirit of the holiday season. For guitarists, learning to play “What Child Is This” is a rewarding endeavor, and in this lesson, we’ll explore a stunning fingerstyle arrangement using arpeggio techniques. Whether you’re a beginner venturing into fingerpicking or an experienced player looking for a fresh approach, this guide will provide you with a detailed, step-by-step method to master “What Child Is This” guitar chords and create your own captivating rendition.
Understanding the Melody and Chords of What Child Is This (Greensleeves)
Before diving into the arpeggio arrangement, let’s understand the foundation of the song. “What Child Is This” shares its melody with “Greensleeves,” a folk tune dating back to the 16th century. While “Greensleeves” lyrics are secular, William Chatterton Dix penned the Christmas lyrics in 1865, giving us the beloved carol we know today.
Most versions of “Greensleeves,” and consequently “What Child Is This,” are traditionally notated in E minor. However, for guitar, A minor often provides a more comfortable range, allowing the melody to sit beautifully on the fretboard without venturing too low. Let’s start by looking at the melody and basic chords in A minor.
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{width=448 height=187}Example 1: “What Child Is This” melody and chords in A minor.
As you can see, the chords are relatively straightforward: Am, G, F, and E. If you prefer a lower register or find E minor more to your liking, simply place a capo on the 7th fret and play these same chord shapes. The lesson will still apply perfectly.
One interesting melodic point in “Greensleeves” (and therefore “What Child Is This”) is the fifth note of the melody. Historically, there’s variation between using an F# or an F natural. Both notes work beautifully, creating slightly different moods.
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{width=400 height=212}Example 2: Variation in melody note – F# (top) and F natural (bottom) options.
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Listen to the audio example to hear the subtle difference. The F# creates a slightly brighter, more yearning quality, while the F natural offers a more modal, folk-like sound. For this lesson, we’ll primarily use the F#, but feel free to experiment and choose your preference. Consistency is key within a verse, but you could even alternate between F# and F natural in different verses for added musical interest!
Exploring Different Guitar Accompaniment Styles
The beauty of “What Child Is This” lies not only in its melody but also in its rhythmic structure. Notice that almost every measure begins with a note held for at least a beat and a half. This provides ample space for creative accompaniment. Let’s explore three different approaches to accompanying the melody, focusing on the first two lines of the song.
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{width=526 height=170}Example 3: Three different accompaniment styles for “What Child Is This”.
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Version 1: Simple Chord Strumming. This version employs a classic approach: strumming the chord on the first beat and letting it ring. It’s effective, especially at faster tempos, providing a solid rhythmic foundation. However, it can sound a bit static for a slower, more contemplative piece like “What Child Is This.”
Version 2: Waltz-Style Accompaniment. Here, we use a waltz rhythm, with the root note of the chord on the first beat and the rest of the chord on beats two and three. This creates a more active and flowing feel, but for this particular song, it might feel a little too busy and detract from the melody’s serenity.
Version 3: Arpeggio-Based Accompaniment. This version strikes a perfect balance. By using a three-note arpeggio on the first beat and a half of each measure, we create a “call and response” effect with the melody. The arpeggios provide harmonic support without overpowering the vocal line, adding depth and movement while maintaining the song’s peaceful character. This is the style we will focus on for the rest of this lesson.
Mastering the Arpeggio Technique for What Child Is This
Our chosen arrangement utilizes a three-note arpeggio. For each chord, we’ll play an arpeggio starting on the root note and including the next two notes available on adjacent strings. This creates a gentle, flowing accompaniment that beautifully complements the melody.
{width=502 height=242}Example 4: Basic arpeggio pattern for the arrangement.
The example above shows the basic arpeggio pattern. We recommend using your thumb to pick the bass note (usually the root of the chord) and your fingers to pluck the subsequent two notes of the arpeggio. Simultaneously, your fingers on your fretting hand will play the melody notes.
Practice these arpeggios slowly and deliberately. Play each measure in Example 4 twice in a row to get a feel for the rhythm and flow. Focus on smooth transitions between chords and a consistent arpeggio pattern. Once you’re comfortable with the basic arpeggios, adding the melody will become much easier.
Full Guitar Arrangement of What Child Is This
Now, let’s put everything together and learn the complete fingerstyle arrangement of “What Child Is This.”
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{width=422 height=229}Example 5: Complete fingerstyle arrangement of “What Child Is This”.
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Let’s break down some key sections and potential challenges:
Measures 1-2 (Am): Begin with your Am chord shape. The pickup note is A (2nd fret G string). Then, play the C melody note (1st fret B string). Simultaneously, your thumb plays the open A string, followed by the D string (E note, 2nd fret) and G string (A note, 2nd fret) to complete the arpeggio. Maintaining the Am chord shape throughout these measures will help with smooth transitions.
Measures 3-4 (G): For the G chord, a “G6” fingering (omitting the high E string) is helpful. This allows easier access to the D melody note (3rd fret B string). You can use a standard G chord, but ensure your ring finger is on the 3rd fret of the B string to play the melody. After playing the D melody note and the arpeggio, lift your ring finger to allow the open B string to ring for the next arpeggio note. In measure 4, move your index finger to the 2nd fret of the G string to play the A melody note.
Measures 5-6 (F): The F chord can be approached using a barre chord, but if barre chords are challenging, consider these easier alternatives:
{width=514 height=296}Example 6: Alternate F chord fingerings.
These simpler F chord versions avoid the barre and are perfectly suitable as there’s no melody note on the high E string in this section. The key is to prepare your index finger. After playing the A note on the 3rd beat of measure 5, move your index finger from the 1st fret of the B string down to the 1st fret of the G string to prepare for the G# melody note in measure 6.
Measure 8 (E): Notice the arpeggio is shortened here. The melody note, E (2nd fret D string), is also the expected last note of the full arpeggio. Shortening the arpeggio creates a slight pause, adding to the musical phrasing.
Measures 13-14 (F to E): Measure 13, again with the F chord, benefits from the alternate fingerings for easier transitions. The challenge in measure 14 is the melody’s movement from G# (1st fret G string) to F# (4th fret D string) and back. The arrangement uses a two-note arpeggio on the E chord here, creating space before the pinky stretch to the F# melody note. Relax your hand after playing the F# melody note to avoid tension and ensure clean playing of subsequent notes.
Measures 15-16 (Am): These measures feature a unique arpeggio due to the sustained melody notes. Instead of the usual three-string arpeggio, we use a three-note arpeggio within the A string. Pluck the open A string, then use your pinky to fret the C note (3rd fret A string), and finally play the E note (2nd fret D string). In measure 16, simply repeat the two A notes.
Chorus Section (from measure 17): The “chorus” section, starting with “this, this is Christ the King,” musically mirrors the first 16 measures, but replaces the Am chords with C chords in measures 17-18. In measure 17 (C chord), a six-note arpeggio is used to fill the longer melody note.
{width=323 height=264}Example 7: Six-note arpeggio on the C chord in the chorus.
The arpeggio pattern is a simple ascending and descending motion across the strings.
Measure 24 (E chord in Chorus): For added dramatic flair in the chorus, the arrangement suggests a “double-stop” arpeggio on the E chord:
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Pick pairs of strings – (E and D), (A and G), then (D and B) – creating a richer, fuller sound that emphasizes the chorus.
Final Measure (Measure 32): To clearly signal the end of the song, the arrangement concludes with a full Am chord instead of just the two A notes:
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Barre the first three strings at the 5th fret to create a complete Am chord for a definitive ending.
Tips for Playing What Child Is This Beautifully
- Practice Slowly and Deliberately: Start at a slow tempo and gradually increase speed as you become comfortable. Focus on accuracy and smooth transitions between chords and arpeggios.
- Listen to Recordings: Listen to various recordings of “What Child Is This” and “Greensleeves” to internalize the melody and phrasing. Pay attention to dynamics and expressive nuances.
- Experiment with Dynamics and Tempo: Once you’re comfortable with the notes, experiment with dynamics (loudness and softness) and tempo to add your personal touch and emotional depth to the performance.
- Capo for E Minor: If you prefer playing in E minor, use a capo on the 7th fret and play the same arrangement. The capo will transpose the song down to E minor while maintaining the fingerings.
- Embrace the Emotion: “What Child Is This” is a deeply emotive piece. Allow yourself to connect with the music and express its beauty and reverence through your playing.
Conclusion
Learning to play “What Child Is This” on guitar with arpeggios is a wonderful way to enhance your fingerstyle skills and create a beautiful rendition of this classic carol. By mastering the arpeggio technique and carefully practicing each section, you’ll be able to bring this timeless melody to life on your guitar. This arrangement provides a solid foundation, and as you become more comfortable, feel free to experiment with your own variations and personal expressions. Enjoy the process of learning and sharing this beautiful Christmas music!
