What Child Is This guitar chords
Dix's 1865 words set to the old Greensleeves melody.
At a glance
- Key Em
- Time 3/4
- Level Improver
- Chords Em, D, G, C, Am, B7
Why this song is worth learning
A carol set to the Greensleeves melody, with six chords and a minor-key feel. It is a good way to practise minor-key chords and a waltz rhythm.
The chords, as shapes
| Chord | Frets (low E to high e) |
|---|---|
| Em | 0 2 2 0 0 0 |
| D | x x 0 2 3 2 |
| G | 3 2 0 0 0 3 |
| C | x 3 2 0 1 0 |
| Am | x 0 2 2 1 0 |
| B7 | x 2 1 2 0 2 |
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 | Em | D | G | Em | Am | Em | B7 | Em |
|---|---|
| Chorus | G | D | Em | C | Am | Em | B7 | Em |
Each group is one bar. Count 3 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
Bass - strum - strum
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 Em, D and G, then C, Am and B7.
- Play one bass note on beat one, then strum on beats two and three.
- Practise the change from Em to D.
- Play at 96 beats per minute and count three per bar.
Tips that matter
- Feel the minor. Em and Am carry the mood, so keep the strum soft there.
- Resolve on Em. B7 leads back to Em, so let it pull you home.
Questions about What Child Is This
What chords are in What Child Is This?
Em, D, G, C, Am and B7, all in the key of E minor.
What time signature is What Child Is This in?
3/4, with three beats per bar, a waltz feel. It is rated Improver.
How fast should I practise it?
The play-along is set to 96 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 What Child Is This free to learn and share?
Yes. Words by William Chatterton Dix, 1865, set to the Greensleeves melody. Public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.