Learning how to play "Over the River and Through the Woods" on guitar will give you a chance to practice your 7th chords. The 6/8 time signature in this song has a lilting feel to it — sort of as though the music has a gallop or limp. “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again” is another familiar song that you play in 6/8 time. Count only two beats per measure — not six (unless you want to sound like a rabbit that’s had three cups of coffee). Use the four-finger E7 for this song.
To play “Over the River and Through the Woods,” you need to know how to play A, D, E7, and B7 chords; how to strum in 6/8 time; and the way to Grandma’s house (in case your horse stumbles and you need to shoot it).
Practice E7 and A7 by strumming each chord four times, switching back and forth between them. Remember to avoid striking the 6th string on the A7 chord.
