How to Play 'The Farmer in the Dell' on Guitar: A Step-by-Step Guide

 "The Farmer in the Dell" is a traditional children's song that originated in England and has been popularized in the United States. It is often sung as a game, with children forming a circle and acting out the characters in the song. 

The song tells the story of a farmer and his various interactions with other characters in the farm, such as a mouse, a cat, and a dog.

e|---------------------------

B|-----------------0-0-0-0-0-

G|---0-0-0-0-0---2-----------

D|-0-------------------------

A|---------------------------

E|---------------------------

e|-------0-------------------

B|-3---3--3-0-----0-0--------

G|------------0-2-----2-2-0--

D|---------------------------

A|---------------------------

E|---------------------------

To play this tablature, you will need a stringed instrument such as a guitar or a ukulele. Here are the steps to play "The Farmer in the Dell":

1. Start by placing your fingers on the appropriate strings and frets as indicated by the numbers in the tablature. For the first line of the tablature, place your index finger on the first fret of the D string (fourth string) and your middle finger on the second fret of the G string (third string).


2. Pluck the D string with your index finger and let it ring out.


3. Pluck the G string twice with your middle finger.


4. Place your ring finger on the third fret of the B string (second string) and pluck it once with your ring finger


5. Lift your ring finger off the B string and pluck the open G string twice with your middle finger.


6. Place your ring finger back on the third fret of the B string and pluck it once with your ring finger.


7. Lift your ring finger off the B string and pluck the open G string twice with your middle finger.


8. Place your ring finger back on the third fret of the B string and pluck it once with your ring finger.


9. Lift your ring finger off the B string and pluck the open G string twice with your middle finger.


10. For the second line of the tablature, place your index finger on the third fret of the B string and your middle finger on the first fret of the high E string (first string).


11. Pluck the B string twice with your middle finger.


12. Pluck the B string three times with your index finger.


13. Place your index finger on the second fret of the G string and pluck it once with your index finger.


14. Lift your index finger off the G string and pluck the open D string once with your index finger.


15. Repeat steps 2 to 5 to play the last two notes of the tablature.

Repeat these steps to play "The Farmer in the Dell" in its entirety. With practice, you will be able to play the tablature smoothly and accurately..

Need a tune-up?

get in Tune your acoustic or electric guitar: