#TAB002 - Merry-Go-Round of Life
Free Tabs + Pro Tips
Merry-Go-Round of Life
Difficulty Level: ⭐️⭐️
Song: Merry-Go-Round of Life
Composer: Joe Hisaishi
Genre: Anime/Instrumental
Movie: Howl's Moving Castle
Tuning: Standard (EADGBe)
Capo: None/Fret 3 (accompaniment)
BPM: 163
Personal Take
I guess most of you have heard of this song as it is super famous and has been played by many different artists. I attended a Studio Ghibli orchestra concert, and it was amazing—worth every penny! I strongly suggest going to those concerts, and I guarantee you won't regret it!
Okay, enough talking, let's dig into it! I have arranged a short guitar duet video, which is about 40 seconds long, and I have made it beginner-friendly. The rhythm is pretty straightforward, but one thing to note is that there is a rhythm change around bar 19-21, where it slows down a little, then resumes when it goes back to the second part (bar 21).
I have separated the arrangement into two different parts:
Melody
Accompaniment
Melody
We don't need a capo here, and the notes used are mostly open strings and common fretting hand positions, with your hand located around fret 1-3. There are two parts that require more practice:
Sliding from the 3rd to 5th fret
Faster pace at bar 30th, 32nd, and 33rd
Accompaniment
This part requires a capo on the 3rd fret, making it easier to play. The pattern is similar for every bar, with the first beat being the bass, which is heavier. The only difference is in bar 24, where the 3 beats are separated into two 1½ beats.
Practice Tips
Counting: Practice counting "1-2-3, 1-2-3" to become familiar with the waltz rhythm.
Sliding: Practice the sliding technique separately, using your pinky to slide from the 3rd to 5th fret on the 1st string (bar 13/29).
Tempo: Start with a slower tempo to ensure accuracy for bar 30th, 32nd, and 33rd, then gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable.
Feel free to check out the VIDEO I've posted on YouTube and use the tab below to practice!
PS: What’s the #1 thing that made you want to check out this newsletter? Reply and let me know, I READ EVERY REPLY!
Melody:
Accompaniment:
Hello. Thanks for providing the sheet, and I will play them for pleasure. Just one note from me that I want to say is maybe you can write C instead of B sharp in musical notation in accompaniment. Maybe I feel will be less complicated for guitar players to see, even with the support of TAB. Sorry if this comment bother you. But I am happy tk receive and read your newsletter.
I just started a few days ago and having songs that I can kinda play make this a lot more fun! This was one of my favorites too so it’ll be the first one I learn