About These Arrangements
This collection features classic traditional songs that have been passed down through generations. Each arrangement is adapted for fingerstyle guitar, making these timeless melodies accessible to guitarists of all levels.
Songs in This Collection
- Amazing Grace (Open D): The beloved hymn in open D tuning
- Auld Lang Syne: Traditional Scottish song for New Year's celebrations
- Aura Lee: Civil War era ballad (melody of "Love Me Tender")
- Daisy Bell: Victorian music hall favorite "A Bicycle Built for Two"
- Happy Birthday: The world's most famous celebration song
- Oh Shenandoah: American folk song about the Shenandoah River
- Amazing Grace (Drop D): Alternate arrangement in drop D tuning
- Battle Hymn of the Republic: Powerful patriotic hymn
Learning Tips
Start Simple: Begin with the easier arrangements like Auld Lang Syne or Happy Birthday before tackling more complex pieces.
Learn the Melody First: Many of these songs are familiar, so focus on bringing out the melody clearly in your arrangement.
Alternate Tunings: Some pieces use drop D or open D tuning. Make sure to tune carefully before playing.
Performance Ready: These arrangements are perfect for playing at gatherings, celebrations, or casual performances.
Amazing Grace, Open D
Amazing Grace, Open D
The melody now known as Amazing Grace was based on an earlier hymn of unknown authorship. The words to Amazing Grace were written by John Newton.
One of the most famous melodies in the world, especially the Western world, and probably the most famous hymn of all time.
Tuning
Open D (DADF♯ad)
Melody/Lead Sheet
About the Author
The melody is based on an earlier hymn called New Britain, of unknown authorship. The words to Amazing Grace were written by John Newton. Both are presumed to be in public domain.
Copyright
This work is in the public domain, but the copyright for this arrangement belongs to Hub Guitar. We respect copyright, so if you have any concerns at all, please contact us.
Auld Lang Syne
Auld Lang Syne
A Scottish tune that is now known all over the world. It is played in Japan during graduations, and as a hint that the department store is closing and it will be time to leave soon.
Tuning
Standard (EADGbe)
Melody/Lead Sheet
Copyright
This composition is presumed to be in the public domain, but the copyright for the arrangement belongs to Hub Guitar.
Aura Lee
Aura Lee
An old and well-known song long due for a comeback, Aura Lee features a melody with timeless appeal. It has been performed by Elvis Presley and many others.
Tuning
Standard (EADGbe)
Notes
This lilting tune sound best with a little swing.
Melody/Lead Sheet
About the Composer
The melody and music for Aura Lea were written by George R. Poulton.
Copyright
Copyright for this composition and its notation belongs to Masaaki Kishibe. Used with permission; please do not duplicate. We respect copyright, so if you have any concerns at all, please contact us.
Daisy Bell
Daisy Bell
A very popular song of the 19th century, Daisy Bell has been referenced many times in television, film, and other media.
A recurring theme of Daisy Bell is that it was used in the earliest example of computer speech synthesis in 1961, so there have been many references to computers and AI singing the melody to this tune.
Tuning
Standard (EADGbe)
Melody/Lead Sheet
About the Artist
Daisy Bell was written by British Songwriter Harry Dacre in 1982.
Copyright
This tune is presumed to be in the public domain, but this arrangement belongs to Hub Guitar. We respect copyright, so if you have any concerns at all, please contact us.
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday is among the most well-known songs in the world, and a useful tune for any guitar player to know.
Tuning
Standard
Melody/Lead Sheet
About the Artist
Happy Birthday to You is believed to have been written by sisters Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill in 1893 as a song for school children, but the extent to which they borrowed from other songs is a matter of debate.
Copyright
For a long time, the copyright was claimed by Warner Music, but the song was declared to be in the public domain as a result of a court ruling in 2016.
Oh Shenandoah
Oh Shenandoah
Oh Shenandoah is an old song sung by traders who sailed the rivers of North America. Today it is recognizable for its similarity to the official state song of Virginia, which uses the same melody with different lyrics.
Tuning
Standard (EADGbe)
Melody/Lead Sheet
About the Artist
Author unknown.
Copyright
This tune is presumed to be in the public domain, but this arrangement belongs to Hub Guitar. We respect copyright, so if you have any concerns at all, please contact us.
Amazing Grace, Drop D
Amazing Grace, Drop D
The melody now known as Amazing Grace was based on an earlier hymn of unknown authorship. The words to Amazing Grace were written by John Newton.
One of the most famous melodies in the world, especially the Western world, and probably the most famous hymn of all time.
Tuning
Drop D (DADGbe)
Melody/Lead Sheet
About the Author
The melody is based on an earlier hymn called New Britain, of unknown authorship. The words to Amazing Grace were written by John Newton. Both are presumed to be in public domain.
Copyright
This work is in the public domain, but the copyright for this arrangement belongs to Hub Guitar. We respect copyright, so if you have any concerns at all, please contact us.
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Battle Hymn of the Republic
This well-known Civil War theme has become a popular patriotic song, intertwined with hope for the abolitionist movement.
Although the chords and melody are not especially difficult, playing it up to speed will prove a challenge.
Tuning
Standard (EADGbe)
Melody/Lead Sheet
About the Artist
The lyrics to Battle Hymn of the Republic were written by Julia Ward Howe of Boston, and that is why the tune is so famous today; but they are set to the tune of John Brown’s Body, a tune about an abolitionist of the Civil War period.
Copyright
This tune is presumed to be in the public domain, but this arrangement belongs to Hub Guitar. We respect copyright, so if you have any concerns at all, please contact us.
