Billy Boy – Guitar Chords, Tabs, Sheet Music for Guitar, Printable PDF

“Billy Boy” is a traditional folk song and nursery rhyme found in the United States. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 326. It is a variant of the traditional English folk song “My Boy Billy,” collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams and published by him in 1912 as number 232 in Novello’s School Songs.

Today it’s often used as a love song for kids.

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

“Billy Boy” is an extremely easy 2-chord song in a major key. We suggest the key of C major, as both C and G7 chords are essential for beginners. As an alternative you can try the A major following.

The melody range that results when singing in the key of C is a 9th from B3 to C5 (see on the Music Sheet in C following). This might be a bit low for children. However, it is perfect for lower female or tenor male voices. Nevertheless, you could use a capo to transpose to C#, D, Eb, or E major by placing it respectively on fret I, II, III, or IV.

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Guitar Chords and Tabs in A

As mentioned above, we also suggest the key of A major, as both chords A and E7 are essential for beginners and they sound brighter due to the open bass strings A and E that are in use.

The melody range that results when singing in the key of A is a ninth from G4 to A5 (see on the Music Sheet in A following), and it is well suited to most children’s voice pitch.

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.

For saving this free image with the guitar chords of “Billy Boy” 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.

You can practice the notes on the 1^st position and up to the 3^rd fret with the 3 fingers of the left hand on four strings from B (2nd) to A (5th). The piece can serve as a fine legato exercise.

It is also a good exercise for the flexibility of the right hand if played “apoyando” i-m with the fingers scrolling up and down the strings.

To save this free guitar music sheet of “Billy Boy” 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 A

This is a simple transcription for guitar with an accompanying bass line and recommended fingering. As much as the song is great for singing with kids, it is also an ideal piece for guitar beginners.

Regarding the left hand, you can practice the notes on the 1^st position and up to the ^5th fret with all 4 fingers and a lot of legatos. The upper melody line is played on the strings (E, B and G). Don’t forget the three sharps – F# C# and G#!

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

To save this free guitar music sheet of “Billy Boy” 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

If you like to download a printable PDF file with Guitar Chords, Tabs and Sheet Music with notes and tablature for this song, click on the button above or on the following link.

Billy Boy – Guitar Chords, Tabs, Sheet Music PDF – Singing Bell

Click on the button to watch a karaoke video and download an instrumental mp3 of this song for free.