This Old Man guitar chords
A counting song that is as easy as guitar gets.
At a glance
- Key C
- Time 4/4
- Level Easy
- Chords C, G, F
Why this song is worth learning
A nursery rhyme with three chords and a simple four-beat rhythm. It is a good first song for practising changes between C, G and F.
The chords, as shapes
| Chord | Frets (low E to high e) |
|---|---|
| C | x 3 2 0 1 0 |
| G | 3 2 0 0 0 3 |
| F | 1 3 3 2 1 1 |
x means do not play that string, 0 means play it open. Tap any shape on the page to hear it.
Play along
Press play. The track counts you in, clicks the beat and lights up the chord you should be holding. Drop the tempo while you are learning and raise it once you can get through without stopping.
Chord order
| Verse | C | C | G | G | C | C | G | C |
|---|---|
| Chorus | C | F | C | G | C | G | C | C |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
D D D D
D is a down-strum and U is an up-strum. If the pattern feels like too much at first, play one down-strum per bar until the chord changes are comfortable, then add the rest.
How to learn it
- Learn C, G and F.
- Play four even down-strums on each chord.
- Practise the change from C to G, which comes up often.
- Play at 100 beats per minute and sing along to keep the beat.
Tips that matter
- Keep it even. Four equal down-strums per bar keep the song steady.
- Sing the words. Singing helps you hear each change point.
Questions about This Old Man
What chords are in This Old Man?
C, G and F, all in the key of C major.
What time signature is This Old Man in?
4/4, with four beats per bar. It is rated Easy.
How fast should I practise it?
The play-along is set to 100 beats per minute. Start slower while you learn the changes, then raise the tempo in small steps once you can play through without stopping.
Is This Old Man free to learn and share?
Yes. Traditional English children's song, published in 1906 and in the public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.