“Frère Jacques” is one of the most famous children’s songs (comptines) and has been established as a sleeping song because of its lyrics.
This French song for kids is about a 17th century monk – an actual person – called Jacques (Jacob – John, in the English translation of the song) who has to wake up and sound the bells for the “matines“ (monastic services), but, obviously, oversleeps, so the song calls him to wake up.
On this page you can find Guitar Chords and Tabs followed by an Easy Guitar Sheet Music with notes and tablature. See also our Printable PDF file for free download.
Contents
Guitar Chords and Tabs in C
“Frère Jacques” is an extremely easy 3-chord song in a major key. We suggest the key of C major, as all three chords C, G and G7 are essential for beginners.
The melody range that results when singing in the key of C is an ninth from G4 to A5 (see on the Music Sheet in C following). This range is well suited to most children’s voice pitch. Nevertheless, you could use a capo to transpose to C#, D, Eb, or E major by placing it respectively to fret I, II, III, or IV.
To save this free image with the guitar chords of “Frère Jacques” to your computer, right click (or tap and hold, on mobile devices) and choose “Save Image As…”.
Guitar Chords and Tabs in A
A an alternative to C, we also suggest the key of A major. All three chords A, E and E7 are essential for beginners and they sound brighter due to the open bass strings A and E. In this case you should lower a bit the pitch of your voice with the melody ranging a 9th from E4 to F#5 (see on the Music Sheet in A following). Nevertheless, you could always use a capo to transpose to Bb, B, C, or C# major by placing it respectively on fret I, II, III, or IV.
To save this free image with the guitar chords of “Frère Jacques” to your computer, right click (or tap and hold, on mobile devices) and choose “Save Image As…”.
Easy Guitar Sheet Music with Notes, Chords & Tablature in C
This is a simple transcription for guitar with recommended fingering. As much as the song is great for singing with kids, it is also an ideal piece for guitar beginners – actually one can play it within the first week of guitar lessons!
You can practice the notes on the 1st position and up to the 5th fret with all four fingers of the left hand. The melody is on the first three strings (E, B and G).
On the two last staves you will find the tune an octave lower. Hence you can use the whole as an exercise for almost every note of the first position. We suggest a few legati for a more delicate approach and extra agility.
Regarding the right hand, you can practice the apoyando technique with i-m.
To save this free guitar music sheet of “Frère Jacques” to your computer, right click (or tap and hold, on mobile devices) and choose “Save Image As…”.
Easy Guitar Sheet Music with with Notes, Chords & Tablature in A
This is a simple transcription for guitar with a simple bass line and recommended fingering. You can practice the notes on the 2nd position and up to the 4th fret with fingers 1, 2 and 3 of the left hand. The melody line is played on four strings (E, B, G and D). Don’t forget the three sharps F#, C#, G# – although you will have to perform only the first two of them.
As for hand techniques, you will find some left hand legati paired with right hand apoyando i-m and thumb mobility and control.
To save this free guitar music sheet of “Frère Jacques” to your computer, right click (or tap and hold, on mobile devices) and choose “Save Image As…”.
Free Printable PDF with Guitar Chords, Tabs and Sheet Music
You can click on the button for a printable PDF file with Guitar Chords, Tabs and Sheet Music with notes and tablature for this song for free.
Frère Jacques – Guitar Chords, Tabs, Sheet Music PDF – Singing Bell
Click on the button to watch a sing-along video and download an instrumental mp3 of this song for free.
Please click on the button to watch a karaoke video and download a PDF file with lyrics to this song for free.
Click on the button to watch a glockenspiel / xylophone tutorial video and download a free printable PDF file with glockenspiel / xylophone Music Sheet and Note Chart of this song.
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