How to Play Joy to the World on Guitar (The Easiest Christmas Song)
How to Play Joy to the World on Guitar (The Easiest Christmas Song)
Hey guys, Brad Litton from SimpleGuitar.com. This is the write-up of my YouTube lesson on the easiest Christmas song to get down last-minute: Joy to the World. I'll show you the melody (one note at a time) and a simple three-chord strum so people can sing along.
Grab the music first so you can follow along: simpleguitar.com/joytotheworld
The Melody
The melody is really simple. We're only playing your first three strings, and we're using your first three fingers.
The rule: use the same finger as whatever fret you're playing.
- First fret → first finger (any of those three strings)
- Second fret → second finger
- Third fret → third finger
- Plus open strings
I play through the whole melody on the video. If you need to rewind, slow it down, and play along, do it. Repeat any parts you need. The tab in the download has the melody written out.
The Chords You Need
Just three: G, C, and D. This is the simplest version so you can pull it together for people.
G (the "fancy G" / G add5): instead of a standard G (third finger on first string third fret, first finger on fifth string second fret, second finger on sixth string third fret), move your third finger to the third fret of the second string and put your pinky on the third fret of the first string. It's still just a G. I call it G add5 so we know which fingering we're talking about — add5 isn't a real chord type, it's just a nickname.
Cadd9: leave your third and fourth fingers down on the third fret of the first and second strings. Second finger on the third fret of the fifth string, first finger on the second fret of the fourth string. Play five strings.
D: standard D — first finger second fret third string, third finger third fret second string, second finger second fret first string. Fourth string open is fine. Fifth string open sounds nice too. Don't hit the sixth string — mute it with your thumb.
Most of the song is G and D. You only play C for one measure.
Time Signature and Strumming
The most common strum in the world works here: down, down, up, up, down, up. Count it 1 2 and and 4 and.
You don't have to use that one. Sometimes I just play eighth notes — 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and — and accent beat 2 and beat 4. That can be easier.
If a split measure is too much with a full pattern, revert to downstrokes.
Chord Map (Simple Version)
When we start:
- G — 2 measures (one-measure strum pattern, twice)
- Split measure: G for the first two beats, D for the second two beats. Changing from the fancy G to D: leave your third finger put. Lift the pinky and move first and second finger. Strum D twice.
- G — 1 measure
- Cadd9 — 1 measure
- D — 1 measure
- G — 8 measures (the melody just carries on over G)
- D — 2 measures
- G — 2 measures
- Ending split: G for two beats but only strum on beat 1, then D for two beats but only strum on beat 3 (half notes)
- Last measure: strum G
If you want to repeat and sing other verses, don't do the half notes and end on G — keep the strumming going like you did earlier.
Capo (Sing-Along Key)
You can put a capo on to make it easier for people to sing. Example from the lesson: capo on the third fret, as close to the fret as you can so it stays in tune. The chord names stay G, C, and D — you're just in a new key.
Make It Sound Even Cooler
Get someone else on guitar. One of you plays the chords, the other plays the melody on top. That sounds really cool.
Practice Tips
- Use the download — it has the melody and the chords.
- Finger = fret on the melody. Don't overthink it.
- Get G to D smooth with that third finger staying put.
- Slow the video down. Repeat.
Have a merry Christmas. You can totally do this. If you want a simple place to start, grab my free Top 10 Things to Learn on Guitar First at http://simpleguitar.com/top10.
And hang out with other adult guitar players in the Simple Guitar Facebook group: http://facebook.com/groups/simpleguitar.
About the Author
Brad from Simple Guitar helps adult learners play the songs they love without the frustration. Visit simpleguitar.com for more free resources and lessons.
