Little Boy Blue – Guitar Chords, Tabs, Sheet Music for Guitar, Printable PDF

“Little Boy Blue“ is a very popular English nursery rhyme. It is known from its earliest printed version in Tommy Thumb’s Little Song Book, in 1744. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 11318.

On this page you can find Guitar Chords and Tabs followed by an Easy Guitar Sheet Music with notes and tablature (fingerpicking technique). See also our Printable PDF file for free download.

Contents

Guitar Chords and Tabs in D

“Little Boy Blue” is an easy 4-chord song in a major key. We suggest the key of D major (and, alternatively, the key of G major as you can see next). To play the tune in D one must be familiarized with the full “barré” technique for the Bm chord. The remaining three chords D, A and G are essential for beginners.

The melody range that results when singing in the key of D is the octave A4-A5 (see on the Music Sheet in D following) which is perfect for most children’s voice pitch. Nonetheless, you could use a capo to transpose to D#, E, F, or F# major by placing it respectively on fret I, II, III, or IV.

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Guitar Chords and Tabs in G

In case you have any difficulty with the Barré technique, or if you would like an easier option for your beginner students, we suggest the key of G major, as all four chords G, D, Em and C are essential for beginners. Accordingly, the melody range extends to the octave D4 to D5 (see on the Music Sheet in G following) and might be a bit low for children. However, it is perfect for lower female or male voices if sung an octave lower. As mentioned before, you could always use a capo to transpose to G#, A, Bb, or B major by placing it respectively on fret I, II, III, or IV.

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Easy Guitar Sheet Music with Notes, Chords and Tablature in D

Here is a simple transcription for guitar with a bass line plus recommended fingering. As much as the song is great for singing with kids, it is also an ideal piece for guitar beginners. Actually you can play it within the first month of guitar lessons! Regarding the left hand you can practice the notes on the 2^nd position and up to the 5^thfret, using all 4 fingers. The upper melody line is played on the first three strings (E, B and G) and the bass line is mostly on the open strings D and A. Don’t forget the F sharp (2^nd fret – 1^st string) and the C sharp (2^nd fret – 2^nd string)!

The piece is also good for right hand mobility and control, as one can practice the apoyando technique with i-m, while the thumb moves on the bass strings.

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Easy Guitar Sheet Music with Notes, Chords and Tablature in G

If you’d like a more sophisticated approach, you can try this easy arrangement in G major. In the second half of the piece we have transposed the lead voice an octave up; all at once, the cute piece levels up aesthetically and technically. It is ideal to use this version as an introduction to the 7th position further down the fretboard, as the melody reaches D above staff on the 10th fret.. The upper melody line is played on the first three strings (E, B and G) and the bass line is on all bass strings. Don’t forget the F sharp (2^nd fret – 1^st string and 4^thfret – 4^thstring)!

The piece is also good for right hand fingerpicking, as one can practice the apoyando technique with i-m, as well as thumb mobility and control.

To save this free guitar music sheet of “Little Boy Blue” to your computer, right click (or tap and hold, on mobile devices) and choose “Save Image As…”.