With the help of guitar tablature it is easy to learn melodies on your guitar. Today you will learn to play We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

First we will take a look at a guitar tablature staff:

1. ----------------
2. ----------------
3. ----------------

In this tab you have three lines that represents the three first strings on your guitar. A normal guitar tablature staff has six lines representing all six strings. In this guitar lesson we only need the three strings with the highest pitch.

Which is the first string then?

When you hold and play your guitar the ordinary way the first string will be nearest the floor or whatever material is under your feet.

Take a look at the following guitar tab staff. You will find numbers that tell you which frets to press down with your left hand:

1. -------0----
2. ---1--------
3. ------------

First you find the number one on the second line. this means, press down the first fret on the second string and play the string with your right hand.

The zero on the first string means, play the first string without pressing down a fret. This is called to play an open string.

Now it is time to play our Christmas song!

Here you have the first part of the lyrics with the corresponding guitar tablature staff:

We wish you a merry Christmas

1. -----------------------------------
2. -------1---1---3---1---0-----------
3. ---0-----------------------2---2---

The best way to use your left hand fingers is to give your fingers the assignment to play one fret each as shown below:

index: first fret
middle finger: second fret
ring finger: third fret

Keep your left hand thumb on the back of the guitar neck for support.

Time for the next guitar tabs:

We wish you a merry Christmas

1. ---------------0-------------------
2. -------3---3-------3---1---0-------
3. ---2---------------------------0---

It might be a little bit tricky to use your left hand fingers the way I have described. Some beginners only use their index finger for all the frets.

Yes, it is a bit difficult at first to use these fingerings but be patient! As soon as you have get used to play this way you will reap the benefits.

You will find that you can keep your left hand in the same position when you play which will make it much easier to play fast and find your way around. This means that you will not have to look at the guitar fretboard all the time. Your fingers have their assigned frets to play and will help you navigate on the fretboard sea!

Here is the next guitar tab staff:

We wish you a merry Christmas

1. -------0---0---1---0---------------
2. -----------------------3---1-------
3. ---0---------------------------2---

The length of the notes are notated with traditional sheet music notation but not with these guitar tabs. With the help of the lyrics and by maybe humming the melody I guess you will manage the rhythm!

Let's continue:

and a happy New Year!

1. ---------------------------
2. ---------------3---0---1---
3. ---0---0---2---------------

The rest of the guitar tablature staff notation comes here:

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin

1. -------------------------------------------
2. -------1---1---1---0---0---1---0-----------
3. ---0-------------------------------2---0---

We wish you a merry Christmas

1. -------0-------------------3-------
2. ---3-------3---1---1---1-----------
3. -------------------------------0---

and a happy New Year!

1. ---------------------------
2. ---------------3---0---1---
3. ---0---0---2---------------

Now you have completed the song!

In order to be able to perform this Christmas carol in front of your friends I suggest that you learn it by heart, one line at a time!

Peter Edvinsson invites you to download your free guitar tablature at http://www.capotastomusic.com

Source: www.a1articles.com