Song Tabs

How to Play on Guitar

“What Child Is This?” is a traditional English Christmas carol set to the tune of “Greensleeves.” The melody is flowing and somewhat melancholic, making it well-suited for gentle, expressive guitar playing.

Chords & Progression

This arrangement uses basic open chords: Am, G, F, E7, and C. These are beginner-friendly, but F and E7 may require extra practice. You can use the simpler F major shape (xx3211) if barre chords are difficult.

Strumming Pattern

A slow, steady 3/4 (waltz) strumming pattern fits the song:
Down – Down-Up – Down-Up
Or simply Down – Down – Down for a gentler feel.

Try to accent the first beat of each measure for a lilting, flowing sound.

Chord Transitions

Moving from Am to G and G to F is common here. Practice slowly, focusing on minimizing finger movement. When switching from E7 back to Am, leave your index finger on the first fret of the G string—it’s common to both chords.

Additional Tips

Fingerpicking also suits this song: use a simple pattern like thumb (bass), index, middle, ring, alternating through the chord.

Take your time to let the melody and chords ring out, and play with dynamics to add emotion.