This Old Guitar

by John Denver

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Lyrics

This old gui tar taught me to sing

a love song, (G)o showed me how to laugh and (A)how to cry.

It in tro (G)duced me to some friends of mine and (D)bright ened (A)up some days.

It (G)helped me make it through some lone ly (D)nights.

(A)Woh,

(D)what a (G)friend to have on a (Asus4)cold and (A)lone ly night.

This old gui tar gave me my love

ly la dy; (G)o pened the up her eyes and (A)ears to me.

It in It (G)brought us close to geth er shine and (D)guess it (A)broke her heart.

It (G)o pened up the space for us to (D)be.

(A)Woh,

(D)What a (G)love ly place and a (Asus4)love ly (A)space to be.

(A)Yes I do, you know.

I love to sing my (A)songs for (D)you.

This Old Guitar by John Denver — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “This Old Guitar” by John Denver in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of D at 160 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

Tips for parents & teachers

  • Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
  • Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
  • Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
  • Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "This Old Guitar" good for a child learning piano?
Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "This Old Guitar"?
Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?
No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?
Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.