Joy to the World

[agent77]

I've been recruited to play with a guitarist for a Christmas event at a church. One of the songs is 'Joy to the World'. I just happen to have a book where this song is displayed in tab (on the G string: 7 6 4 2 etc...) but the sheet music the guitarist has is completely different. We tried playing them both together and agreed that both parts are in a different key. Neither I or the guitarist are very good at reading sheet music. Can anyone offer any insight about this particular song?

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by agent77

I've been recruited to play with a guitarist for a Christmas event at a church. One of the songs is 'Joy to the World'. I just happen to have a book where this song is displayed in tab (on the G string: 7 6 4 2 etc...) but the sheet music the guitarist has is completely different. We tried playing them both together and agreed that both parts are in a different key. Neither I or the guitarist are very good at reading sheet music. Can anyone offer any insight about this particular song?

Yes you both need to be using the same key.

Both The United Methodist Hymnal and the Cooksbury Worship Hymnal have the song in D so that is a good chance the vocalist will be happy with D. But, maybe not......

Here is some fake chord in G. Notice the transpose button - top of the page - transpose down 5 half steps to get it in D.
Joy To The World Chords (ver 2) by Misc Christmas @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

Find out what key the vocalist would like the song to be in. Then use the above fake chord site and transpose it into what ever the vocalist wants. Then you three use that same music.

Have fun.

[nutdog]

The melody is based on the major scale. The first line, IIRC, is the major scale going down and is usually in D. It can be faked and even rocked out using three chords D G and A. Mostly lots of D.

Is it instrumental or accompaniment for vocal?

[Roscoe East]

the Hoyt Axton tune?

[Rockin Mike]

the Three Dog Night song?

[john m]

Gerimia was a bullfrog.