Guitar Lesson: How To Play Birthday By The Beatles

It is just a single-line melody in the key of A, using the notes of the tonic triad (A-C#-E) with the addition of the 6th (F#) and the b7 (G). This is a common combination of notes in many riffs based on a 12 Bar Blues form. Sorry for the techno-talk but sometimes a little more in-depth info can be useful. Another song that falls into this category is Rock And Roll by Led Zeppelin. OK, back to the details.

The riff is played on just 2 strings at a time in 2nd position. In 2nd position your left fingers are lined up with each finger covering 1 fret- 1st finger at the 2nd fret, 2nd finger at the 3rd fret, 3rd finger at the 4th fret, and 4th finger at the 5th fret. Your right hand follows the standard pattern of alternating strokes- down on the beats and up between the beats.

The 1st measure is just a steady stream of 1/8 notes with the F# tied for an extra 1/8. This means that on the 4th beat your right hand moves down, as part of the continuous alternating motion, but doesn't strike the string, picking the last G as an up.

As I mentioned, the riff is played in a 12 Bar Blues form following this pattern-

I I I I
IV IV I I
V V I I

This means the melody line is played twice starting on A, then once each on D, A, E, and finishing on A again.

Here is a link to the TAB

You say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too, yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you.

Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party

I would like you to dance (Birthday)
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance (Birthday)
I would like you to dance (Birthday)
Dance

I would like you to dance (Birthday)
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance (Birthday)
I would like you to dance (Birthday)
Dance

You say it's your birthday
Well it's my birthday too, yeah
You say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you.