By Shawn Leonhardt for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer
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hen you first start learning how to play guitar, it is best to learn as many songs as possible, whether you play electric guitar or acoustic guitar. Once you know some easy chords, start trying to play by ear. It is tedious but worth it. This constant process of finding new songs and learning the strumming pattern will eventually make you a great guitarist! Your first song could be a simple song with a slow tempo. In the early stages, the thrill of strumming your first chord and gradually mastering full songs is unmatched.
In the meantime, here’s a curated list of 10 easy guitar songs perfect for those starting out, and even novice guitarists. These songs are a great way to practice and introduce you to various song structures and rhythms at a manageable pace to help you learn how to play guitar and get better!
What Makes An Easy Guitar Song?
Instead of learning songs, it is best to study chord progressions. As you play new tunes, look closely at the guitar chord orders in the entire song; you will see them over and over again. The most common progression is the 1-4-5 or it can be labeled as the I-IV-V; this progression can be in any key. For the key of G, it is G major – C major – D major, for the key of C it is C major – F major – G major. You can use a Circle of Fifths chart to find this progression for each key.
Once you get to know these common chord sequences you will be able to play with almost any band. To be clear, a progression doesn’t always last a whole song but only as long as that feeling is needed. Once the music changes, so do the chords! So as you play these songs, listen to their chords and notice when they are similar. Eventually, you will realize how alike most pop, rock, metal, and even jazz can be!
Don’t forget that if you have trouble playing certain chords, check out a guitar chord chart. If it’s still difficult, you can change the key of the song! It is good practice and helps you figure out your chords faster. If you have trouble still, move on to a song that works for you!
10 Easy to Learn Guitar Songs
Tom Petty’s “Learning to Fly”
A great example is Tom Petty, who has many easy songs on guitar to play; his music is simple and that’s why it is so beloved. One of his more popular songs is “Free Fallin’,” but “Learning to Fly” is a classic song. It exemplifies simplicity, making it a fantastic starting point, and offers a gentle introduction to chord changes and strumming. It is just F-C-Am-G for both the verse, chorus, and even the bridge. If the F major is hard to play, try another inversion or the partial barre of XX3211. Otherwise, this tune is easy to play and even sing along to. Start slow and change chords as the words do!
The Lumineers’ “Ho Hey”
The Lumineers’ popular song “Ho Hey” is another excellent choice as it shares the same four chords as Tom Petty’s “Learning to Fly”! See why chord progressions are so easy. But it is not the same melody; this is the hard part: resetting your brain to use the same harmonic structure but with a different melody.
This song reinforces the concept of common chord progressions across different tunes, providing practice in adapting to various melodies. Honestly, that’s what most pop music is about!
Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)”
There is a reason “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” is a hit song and is heard across college campuses nationwide. It is a popular choice among beginners for its simple rhythm and chord structure and is a great way to practice transitioning between chords G, C, D, and Em. There is an extended Cadd9 chord, but you can cheat and just play the C major. The extended chords can often be simplified as long as you sing the song right. Once you have the song down, then start working on the add9 part.
This list of beginner guitar songs is perfect for anyone just starting out on guitar. No matter your age, the joy of playing guitar is a thrilling experience. Check out online guitar lessons like these to get started in learning how to play.
The Rolling Stones’ “Dead Flowers”
“Dead Flowers” is another great song and was a hit for The Rolling Stones and Townes Van Zandt; it is three chords repeated with D-A-G, which is a 1-5-4, so a little reversed from normal. These three chords aren’t always in this order, but they are all that’s used; they change for the verse and chorus. This song is an excellent example of how a few chords can create a classic hit. And it is another great hit to learn to sing with also!
Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”
Another student standard as this Bob Dylan tune repeats the G, C, D, and Am, all very simple chords for a beginner. Plus, Dylan’s work is never that complicated to sing or play; after all, he is a poet and songwriter, not a progressive rocker or rapper. This tune uses easy open chords and offers a gentle introduction to folk and pop genres. It’s a great way to practice strumming patterns and chord changes.
Stick to folk and pop artists for the best starter songs. If you’re playing a folky sounding track, try to maintain loose and jangly chords and ease up on your strumming arm.
Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Most ’90s grunge and alternative songs are really easy to play, especially when you use power chords. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” song is ideal for practicing power chords. That music style is repetitive, and, most of all, there is so much distortion that sloppy playing is kind of normal. If you struggle with full chords at the moment, stick to songs with power or partial barre chords.
4 Non-Blonde’s “What’s Up”
“What’s Up” is a mix of super easy but with a little struggle; the chords are A, Bm, and D. That Bm barre chord is a real pain; however, it is the exact practice you need as a beginning guitar player. Once you have it down, the rest of the song, including the solo and singing, is easy and fun! Mastering this song is a rewarding milestone for beginners, opening up countless other songs to learn.
This list of songs is great because it includes various 3-chord songs. If you know your basic open chords, you can play literally hundreds of songs! There are various guitar lessons online that will show you the ins and outs of learning these basic chords, like these.
Blue’s Traveler’s “Run Around”
Despite the virtuoso harmonica playing in Blues Traveler, most of their songs are easy to play on guitar. “Run Around” uses G-C-Am-D progression, which is a common progression and is used on many famous hits. They also use a Cadd9, but again, you can just stick to the regular C major. Their song “Hook” also uses a popular epic progression.
The Beatles’ “Love Me Do”
Sometimes, Beatles songs are difficult with all their chord changes, but in their classic hit “Love Me Do,” the verse and chorus only use G, C, and C7. Once we get to the bridge, we add a D in with the G and C; otherwise, there are no other chords.
The key to playing this song right is to get the accents on the strum; listen as you play along to hear what you need to do. Another great way to work on rhythm and strumming accents.
Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold”
This Neil Young song also has a harmonica like the last three; often, harmonica tunes use a simple chord progression like here with the Em, G, C, and D. The chords are easy, along with the strumming and singing, and are perfect for beginners looking to add a bit of folk to their repertoire. There are a couple of extra riffs in the song, but you can get by on just these chord changes if you want. Like the rest of the artists on this list, you can play many of his songs when starting out!
Conclusion
This list of easy guitar songs is a treasure trove of ten easy, well-known songs that are excellent choices for beginner guitarists. Whether you’re drawn to easy rock songs, classic country songs, or timeless pop hits, mastering these tunes provides a solid foundation for your guitar-playing journey. They offer a great opportunity to practice easy open chords, simple rhythms, and song structure.
If you don’t get it the first time, keep trying as the second time it may just click. At the moment, it may seem difficult to play some songs but once you get 10-20 down, the patterns become obvious and you soon start to pick up on how similar most rock and pop are!
Remember, the key to mastering the guitar is patience and practice. Don’t be discouraged by the tricky F chords or the speedy change between chords; every guitarist starts with the first chord and progresses at their own pace. Embrace these first steps, and soon you’ll be playing entire songs all by yourself.
This list is not just a set of songs; it’s a pathway to discovering your favorite songs to play, offering a great way to enhance your skill level and enjoy the music you love.
Additional Artists to Consider
Other artists to consider are Bob Marley, Ed Sheeran, Jack White, Fleetwood Mac, Taylor Swift — and so many more! From the iconic riffs of the White Stripes to the soothing melodies of Bob Marley, from Fleetwood Mac’s classics to Taylor Swift’s hits, and the heartfelt lyrics of Ed Sheeran, there are so many songs that offer a great opportunity to practice easy open chords, simple rhythms, and song structures.
3 Key Takeaways from 10 Easy Songs to Learn on Guitar if You’re a Beginner Guitarist
- Mastering Chord Progressions is Crucial: One of the most important steps for beginner guitarists is to understand and master common chord progressions, such as the 1-4-5 (I-IV-V) sequence. This foundational knowledge not only simplifies learning new songs but also enables players to recognize patterns across different genres, making it easier to play along with almost any band or song.
- Start Simple and Build Confidence: Beginning with easy-to-learn songs that use simple chords and rhythms is essential for building confidence and skill. Songs that feature straightforward chord progressions and slow tempos allow beginners to focus on developing their strumming patterns, chord changes, and overall comfort with the guitar. This approach lays a solid foundation for tackling more complex songs in the future.
- Practice and Patience Lead to Progress: Learning to play the guitar is a journey that requires patience, practice, and perseverance. Initial challenges, such as mastering tricky chords or achieving speedy chord changes, are part of the learning process. By starting with easier songs and gradually increasing the complexity as their skills improve, beginners will find that patterns in rock, pop, and other genres become more apparent, facilitating faster learning and more enjoyable playing experiences.