Can you play “How Great Thou Art” on a beginner instrument? Yes, you absolutely can! This beloved hymn is surprisingly accessible for beginners across guitar, piano, and ukulele, with straightforward How Great Thou Art easy chords. This guide will break down the How Great Thou Art chord progression and provide clear instructions for each instrument. Whether you’re drawn to How Great Thou Art worship songs, How Great Thou Art gospel chords, or How Great Thou Art CCM chords, learning this timeless piece will bring joy and a sense of accomplishment. We’ll also touch on where you can find How Great Thou Art sheet music to supplement your learning.
The Beauty of “How Great Thou Art”
“How Great Thou Art” is more than just a song; it’s a powerful expression of awe and gratitude. Originally a Swedish poem, it was translated into English and gained immense popularity. Its message of the grandeur of creation and the love of God resonates deeply with people across denominations and musical backgrounds. Learning the How Great Thou Art lyrics and chords allows you to connect with this profound sentiment and share it through music.
This hymn often features prominently in How Great Thou Art worship songs sets, providing a moment of reflection and adoration. Its simple yet moving melody, combined with its uplifting message, makes it a staple in many churches and Christian gatherings.
Deciphering the Core Chord Progression
Many hymns share a foundational chord progression that makes them familiar and comforting. “How Great Thou Art” is no exception. While there can be variations, the most common and beginner-friendly How Great Thou Art chord progression often revolves around a few key chords.
The primary chords you’ll encounter are:
- G Major (G)
- C Major (C)
- D Major (D)
- E Minor (Em)
These four chords form the backbone of the song, allowing for a smooth and predictable flow. The typical progression you’ll find in many arrangements is often a variation of:
G – C – G – D
G – C – G – D – G
And within verses, you might see:
G – Em – C – D
G – Em – C – D – G
This simple structure makes it an excellent choice for those new to playing chords.
Common Chord Voicings for Beginners
Before we dive into specific instruments, let’s quickly cover what these basic chords look like. These are the most common and easiest ways to play them.
Guitar:
| Chord | E String | A String | D String | G String | B String | e String |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| C | x | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| D | x | x | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Em | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
(x indicates not playing the string)
Piano:
- G Major: G – B – D
- C Major: C – E – G
- D Major: D – F# – A
- E Minor: E – G – B
Ukulele:
| Chord | G String | C String | E String | A String |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| C | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| D | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Em | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
(These are simplified voicings; more complex ones exist)
Playing “How Great Thou Art” on Guitar: How Great Thou Art Guitar Chords
The guitar is a popular choice for playing hymns, and “How Great Thou Art” is very playable with basic How Great Thou Art guitar chords. The focus for beginners will be on smooth chord changes and a consistent strumming pattern.
The Essential Chords
You’ll primarily use G, C, D, and Em. Practicing the transitions between these chords is key.
- G to C: From G, lift your index and middle fingers, and place your index finger on the first fret of the B string and your middle finger on the third fret of the A string.
- C to G: From C, lift your fingers and place your middle finger on the third fret of the low E string, your index finger on the second fret of the A string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the high e string.
- G to D: From G, lift your middle and ring fingers. Place your index finger on the second fret of the high e string, your middle finger on the third fret of the B string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the low E string.
- D to G: From D, lift your fingers. Place your middle finger on the third fret of the low E string, your index finger on the second fret of the A string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the high e string.
- G to Em: From G, lift your index and ring fingers. Place your index finger on the second fret of the A string and your middle finger on the second fret of the D string.
- Em to G: From Em, lift your fingers. Place your middle finger on the third fret of the low E string, your index finger on the second fret of the A string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the high e string.
- C to D: From C, move your index finger from the first fret of the B string to the second fret of the high e string. Move your middle finger from the third fret of the A string to the second fret of the B string, and your ring finger from the first fret of the C string to the third fret of the A string. (Or a simpler C to D: From C, move your index finger to the second fret of the high e string, and your middle finger to the second fret of the B string. Keep your ring finger on the third fret of the A string.)
- D to C: From D, move your index finger from the second fret of the high e string to the first fret of the B string. Move your middle finger from the second fret of the B string to the third fret of the A string. Keep your ring finger on the third fret of the A string.
Strumming Patterns
For beginners, a simple down-down-down-down pattern works well. As you get more comfortable, you can try a common pattern like:
Down – Down – Up – Up – Down – Up
This pattern gives the song a nice rhythmic feel without being too complicated.
Putting it Together
Let’s look at a simplified version of the How Great Thou Art chord progression for the guitar:
(Verse 1)
(G)O Lord my God, (C)when I in awe con(G)sider (D)
The world thy hands have (G)made
I see the stars, I (C)hear the rolling (G)thunder
Thy power throughout the (D)land displayed
(Chorus)
(G)Then sings my (D)soul, my (Em)Saviour God, to (C)Thee
How (G)great thou (D)art! How (G)great thou (D)art!
(G)Then sings my (D)soul, my (Em)Saviour God, to (C)Thee
How (G)great thou (D)art! How (G)great thou (D)art!
Practice changing chords with each new word or syllable where indicated. Start slowly, focusing on clean chord changes.
Finding Guitar Tabs and Sheet Music
If you want to see the exact chord placements and timings, searching for “How Great Thou Art guitar chords” will bring up many resources. You can also find “How Great Thou Art sheet music” which will often show the chords above the melody line.
Playing “How Great Thou Art” on Piano: How Great Thou Art Piano Chords
The piano offers a rich harmonic soundscape for “How Great Thou Art.” The How Great Thou Art piano chords are relatively simple to grasp for beginners, focusing on playing the root, third, and fifth of each chord.
Basic Chord Structures
As mentioned, the core chords are G, C, D, and Em. On the piano, these are played as triads.
- G Major: Play G, B, and D together.
- C Major: Play C, E, and G together.
- D Major: Play D, F#, and A together.
- E Minor: Play E, G, and B together.
Left-Hand Accompaniment
For beginners, the left hand can simply play the root note of the chord. For example, when the chord is G, the left hand plays G. When it’s C, the left hand plays C, and so on.
As you get more comfortable, you can explore playing the root and fifth of the chord in your left hand, or simple arpeggiated patterns.
Right-Hand Melody
The right hand will typically play the melody of “How Great Thou Art.” You can find many resources for “How Great Thou Art piano sheet music” that will show you the melody notes and chord symbols above.
Chord Progression on Piano
The How Great Thou Art chord progression translates directly to the piano. Let’s apply it to the lyrics:
(Verse 1)
(G)O Lord my God, (C)when I in awe con(G)sider (D)
The world thy hands have (G)made
I see the stars, I (C)hear the rolling (G)thunder
Thy power throughout the (D)land displayed
(Chorus)
(G)Then sings my (D)soul, my (Em)Saviour God, to (C)Thee
How (G)great thou (D)art! How (G)great thou (D)art!
(G)Then sings my (D)soul, my (Em)Saviour God, to (C)Thee
How (G)great thou (D)art! How (G)great thou (D)art!
The key is to coordinate your hands. Start by playing the chords slowly, ensuring both hands are synchronized.
Tips for Piano Beginners
- Practice Chord Changes: Dedicate time to just practicing the transitions between G, C, D, and Em.
- Listen to Recordings: Pay attention to how skilled pianists play the song to get a feel for the rhythm and phrasing.
- Use a Metronome: This will help you develop a steady rhythm.
Playing “How Great Thou Art” on Ukulele: How Great Thou Art Ukulele Chords
The ukulele’s cheerful sound is perfect for hymns, and “How Great Thou Art” is a delight to play on this instrument. The How Great Thou Art ukulele chords are generally very accessible for beginners.
Common Ukulele Chords for the Song
The primary chords for ukulele are the same as the main ones: G, C, D, and Em.
- G Major: GCEA strings are fretted at 0, 0, 0, 2 respectively.
- C Major: GCEA strings are fretted at 0, 0, 1, 3 respectively.
- D Major: GCEA strings are fretted at 2, 2, 3, 2 respectively.
- E Minor: GCEA strings are fretted at 0, 0, 0, 2 (all open except the A string on the 2nd fret).
Strumming Patterns for Ukulele
A simple down strum is a great starting point. As you gain confidence, you can try a “down-up” pattern, or a more common ukulele strum: Down – Down-Up – Up-Down-Up.
For “How Great Thou Art,” a steady down strum on each chord change will sound lovely and keep the focus on the melody and lyrics.
Putting it Together on Ukulele
Let’s use the lyrics again with the How Great Thou Art ukulele chords:
(Verse 1)
(G)O Lord my God, (C)when I in awe con(G)sider (D)
The world thy hands have (G)made
I see the stars, I (C)hear the rolling (G)thunder
Thy power throughout the (D)land displayed
(Chorus)
(G)Then sings my (D)soul, my (Em)Saviour God, to (C)Thee
How (G)great thou (D)art! How (G)great thou (D)art!
(G)Then sings my (D)soul, my (Em)Saviour God, to (C)Thee
How (G)great thou (D)art! How (G)great thou (D)art!
The smaller fretboard of the ukulele often makes transitions between these chords quite smooth. Practice the chord changes until they feel natural.
Tips for Ukulele Beginners
- Finger Placement: Ensure your fingers are pressing down firmly on the strings just behind the frets to get clear notes.
- Listen and Strum: Try to match the rhythm of the melody as you strum.
Exploring Other Chords and Variations
While the G, C, D, Em progression is the most common for beginners, you might encounter other How Great Thou Art CCM chords or How Great Thou Art gospel chords in more advanced arrangements. These might include:
- A Minor (Am): Often used to provide a different emotional color.
- F Major (F): A common chord that can add richness.
- B Minor (Bm): Can appear in some variations.
However, for your first foray into playing “How Great Thou Art,” sticking to the basic G, C, D, Em will be highly rewarding.
Finding How Great Thou Art Sheet Music
If you want to explore the full arrangement, including specific voicings and arrangements, “How Great Thou Art sheet music” is readily available online and in music stores. This will often provide the melody line, lyrics, and chord symbols, giving you a complete picture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What are the easiest chords for “How Great Thou Art”?
A1: The easiest and most common chords for “How Great Thou Art” are G Major, C Major, D Major, and E Minor. These form the core of the How Great Thou Art chord progression and are accessible for beginners on most instruments.
Q2: Can I play “How Great Thou Art” with just three chords?
A2: While the song is most commonly played with four chords (G, C, D, Em), you could simplify it further by using G, C, and D for a very basic rendition. However, the Em chord adds significant depth to the progression.
Q3: Where can I find How Great Thou Art lyrics?
A3: The How Great Thou Art lyrics are widely available online. You can find them on most Christian music websites, lyric databases, and in hymnals. They are often paired with chord charts.
Q4: Is “How Great Thou Art” a difficult song to learn on guitar?
A4: No, “How Great Thou Art” is considered a relatively easy song to learn on the guitar, especially with the basic How Great Thou Art guitar chords. The chord changes are smooth, and the strumming patterns can be kept simple.
Q5: What are some popular How Great Thou Art CCM chords?
A5: While the core chords remain G, C, D, and Em, Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) arrangements might introduce variations like Am, F, or even secondary dominants for a more modern feel. However, the fundamental How Great Thou Art CCM chords are still rooted in the classic progression.
Q6: How do I find How Great Thou Art sheet music?
A6: You can find How Great Thou Art sheet music by searching online retailers, Christian music websites, or your local music store. Many websites offer free downloadable sheet music for hymns, often with chord charts included.
Learning to play “How Great Thou Art” is a wonderful musical journey. With these easy chords and a bit of practice, you’ll soon be able to share the beauty and message of this timeless hymn through your own music. Happy playing!