Canon in D guitar tab
The famous bass line alone, then the first entry of the tune over it: two notes at a time, in 2/4.
- Level
- Melody and bass
- Key
- D major
- Time
- 2/4
- Tempo
- ♩ = 60
- Tuning
- Standard, EADGBE
Canon in D
Johann Pachelbel · arranged by guitarnotation
How to play it
- Bars 1 to 8 are the bass alone, one half note each: D, A, B, F♯, G, D, G, A on the fourth, fifth and sixth strings. The F♯ is the second fret of the sixth string.
- From bar 9 the melody enters on top, F♯ E D C♯ B A B C♯, while the bass repeats underneath. Pluck both notes together, thumb on the bass.
- The chord names above the bars, D, A, Bm, F♯m and G, are for anyone playing along. The notes themselves stay in the first three frets.
About the song
Pachelbel wrote the canon around 1680 for three violins over a repeating bass. The bass line, eight notes long, is one of the best known in music.
The melody is in the public domain. This arrangement is ours, and you're welcome to download, print and play it for your own practice.
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