The Star Spangled Banner
The Star Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from a poem written on September 14, 1814, by a then 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key.
He wrote the piece after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy — in Outer Baltimore Harbor in the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the large U.S. flag, with 15 stars and 15 stripes, flying triumphantly above the fort during the U.S. victory.
The poem was set to the tune of “To Anacreon in Heaven”, a popular British song written by John Stafford Smith. The piece soon became a well-known U.S. patriotic song.
While The Star Spangled Banner was first recognized for official use by the U.S. Navy in 1889. I was surprised to learn it was only made ‘official national anthem’ of the United States on March 3, 1931.
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Spotify and streaming
Listen to this my version of the Star Spangled Banner on all streaming services:
How to play The Star Spangled Banner | fingerstyle guitar
I just enjoy Gustavo Santaolalla’s loose, and sparce style of guitar playing — and I employed a similar style for my arrangement here. This piece is suitable for beginner guitar players and up. Enjoy, the guitar tab is available below:
The guitar tab is played straight though without repeats.
**The Star Spangled Banner | fingerstyle guitar
This song is played in an Open G tuning. From low to high: D G D G B D