How to Play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on Guitar: Easy Tutorial for Beginners

"Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" is among the most enduring nursery rhymes in the world. The song was written by an English Poet named Jane Taylor and was officially published in 1806. It is not true that Mozart wrote this piece. Take note of that. However, it is a fact that the tune used in this song is derived from another piece, specifically the "Ah! Vous Dirai-Je, Maman" by M. Bouin.

Admittedly, the song itself is contagious at first. When we were still kids, we can't help but this song, even if we are not really conscious about it. Even today, I still have an inkling to hum this song, especially during leisure.

Notably, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" has the same tune as "The Alphabet Song" and "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep." The melody has been used by other songs in different parts in the world such as Hungary, Spain, and Germany. Therefore, if you know how to play those latter songs on the guitar, you won't have any difficulties with the prior piece.

But for starters, let me give you a quick guide on how to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on guitar. Let's get started!

More...

How to Play Twinkle Twinkle Star on Guitar

Before we start, make sure that you know how to play all the basic guitar chords already. Moreover, it is also essential that you know how to read the guitar tablature as well. Although the latter is not really necessary, it can still help you along the way.

Don't worry. This song is extremely basic. Nothing is complicated here. In fact, you can play the song in different ways. You can either strum the strings more or just include additional beat to it. But for now, let me show you a tablature for the song.

Take note that all the chords are just following the same picking. Therefore, it is already sufficient that you know how the first two lines go. The succeeding lines are pretty repetitive. You can easily get the hang of it in just a couple of minutes or hours (if you are still a beginner)

Furthermore, you should strum properly so that you can hear the transition from C chord to Am7. Optionally, you can insert an Am chord there. However, in my opinion, doing that would not greatly improve the melody of the music. Now, let me show you how the song goes with the chords already in place.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Lyrics With Chords)

You can play this song in a standard tuning. Ideally, you should place a guitar capo on Capo 1. If you are not familiar with the symbols, the asterisks that you can see means a single strum. If you want to do an outro of this song, just play the C-chord fingerpicking pattern.

There are different guitar tabs for this song that you can see from other sites. However, it doesn't mean that mine or theirs are wrong. As I mentioned earlier, there are a lot of ways to play this song. You can see a plethora of tablatures for this single piece alone. But it is certainly great that you should try this arrangement first before checking other versions later on.

For those who are not familiar with the entire lyrics of the song, don't fret. I have the entire verses down below! Don't worry. These are not made-up parts. These are the real lyrics, as found from the "Rhymes for the Nursery" by Jane Taylor. Of course, the playing progression for the whole song stays the same. Just play the chords that I have shown, and you can flawlessly cover the entire piece!

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,

How I wonder what you are!

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky.

​

When the blazing sun is gone,

When he nothing shines upon,

Then you show your little light,

Twinkle, twinkle, through the night.

​

Then the traveler in the dark

Thank you for your tiny spark;

He could not see where to go,

If you did not twinkle so.

​

In the dark blue sky, you keep,

And often through my curtains peep,

For you never shut your eye

Till the sun is in the sky.

​

As your bright and tiny spark

Lights the traveler in the dark,

Though I know not what you are,

Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

Conclusion

Learning how to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on guitar is a nice thing. If you are a beginner, this song will actually teach you the fundamentals of the playing guitar. You can learn the basics of chord reading and strumming. Of course, it can also guide you how to strum and tune your instrument properly.

If you have kids, being able to play this song is a huge perk. The melody of this song is more than entertainment for them. Sooner, they might even develop an interest in music!

​

Enter your text here...