The How-To Repository for the Cigar Box Guitar Movement!
How to Build and Play Cigar Box Guitars and other Homemade Instruments
“Scotland the Brave” is one of the most well known patriotic songs of Scotland.
The composer of the melody is unknown, though it is said it first made the rounds in the early 1900s. The version we largely attribute to this anthem today was written around 1950 by Cliff Hanley, a Scottish journalist.
Today we present the melody of “Scotland the Brave” for Diatonically Fretted One-String Canjos.
“Take Me Out to the Ball Game” has been a staple at American Baseball games since 1908.
Co-written by Albert Von Tilzer and Jack Norworth, it is worthy to note that neither one had seen a baseball game before writing the song. Indeed, it would be a decades before either personally attended a game.
We have presented the basic melody as arranged for Diatonically Fretted One-String Canjos as well as the lyrics for the most well-known portion of the song.
Today’s FREE tab offering is the classic Western Folk Ballad, “Oh my Darling, Clementine”.
Here we present two versions. One for the basic melody of the song as well as another that contains chords to help round the song out.
Click here or the image above for the knowledge base entry!
Have a song that you would like to see tabbed out? Leave us a message in the comments!
“The Ballad of the Green Berets”, written by Staff Sgt Barry Sadler, is our newest tablature for Cigar Box Guitars tuned to Open G. It can also be used for any of the other 1-5-1 tunings.
The basic melody and it’s slightly more advanced version, with accompanying chords, will be an easy and recognizable addition to your growing arsenal of songs on your guitar.
Click here for the FREE tab for this song!
Are there any other songs that you would like to see tabbed out? Have a tab you would like to share with the community? Leave us a message in the comments!
We’ve added a new Knowledge Base entry to our growing list of Open G GDG Cigar Box Guitar Tablature.
Today’s feature is “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”, a popular tune that originated during the American Civil War. It has since been covered and adapted by numerous artist over the last 150 years.
Click here for the FREE tablature of this song!
What songs would you like to see tabbed out? Do you have one you would like to share with the community? Let us know in the comments!
Every now and then it is nice to stop and consider a new challenge, or a new way to approach music.
In this informative article Diane, a builder of fine Cigar Box Mountain Dulcimers, gives a great overview of what goes into making one of these beautiful instruments.
From why they might be attractive to beginning and advanced players, to tips and tricks on building your own, it’s a great read.
The Battle Hymn of the Republic, also known as “Mine Eyes have Seen the Glory”, is possibly one of the most well-known songs in the history of our nation.
Today’s knowledge base entry contains tablature for this classic American hymn on your Open G (GDG) Cigar Box Guitar.
Available as both the basic melody and a a version with chords, you’ll be playing along in no time!
Shane Speal returns with another quick and easy building lesson. See how to make artistic pickguards from found objects such as tobacco tins and old steel beer cans.
What better way to celebrate the week of Independence Day than to learn some patriotic songs on your homemade instruments.
Earlier in the week we released a Canjo tab for “Marine’s Hymn”, the official hymn of the United States Marine Corps.
Yesterday we released America the Beautiful for Open G (or any other 1-5-1 tuning) Cigar Box Guitars.
Today, we bring you the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” for One-String Canjo. Click here or the image above to get this FREE Tab!
“America the Beautiful” is an anthem that is perhaps as well known as the Star Spangled Banner.
In celebration of Independence Day, we present to you tablature for this classic songfor Open G -GDG- Cigar Box Guitars.
Click Here or the flag above to check it out!
Thin cigar boxes have great tone. However, some of these boxes may need a little extra bracing before becoming cigar box guitars. In this latest feature, Shane Speal shows how to use common corner moulding from a hardware store to brace the corners and sides of a cigar box.
One of the most recognizable songs of the 20th century, “I Walk the Line” was Johnny Cash’s first #1 hit on the Billboard music charts in 1956. In interviews, he presented that the song was about being faithful and true to his ideals, and those that believed in him.
The original song is a bit more complex, encompassing several key changes and some unique chord progressions. Here we present a PDF that contains the basic melody line, designed to be accessible to players of all skill levels. You’ll be able to play and sing along with this in no time!
Click the image below for the FREE PDF download!
