Learning guitar can be an incredibly rewarding journey, and one of the best ways to stay motivated as a beginner is to learn songs you love right away. Instead of getting bogged down in complex theory or scales immediately, diving into playing actual music provides instant gratification and encourages consistent practice. If you’re just starting out and wondering what the Easiest Song To Learn On Guitar is, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of 27 fantastic songs that are perfect for beginners, focusing on simple chords, easy strumming patterns, and recognizable melodies. Get ready to impress yourself and your friends as you quickly master these tunes!
1. “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath
For those who want to rock from the get-go, “Paranoid” is a legendary metal anthem that’s surprisingly simple to play. It’s built around power chords, which are a foundational technique for rock and metal guitarists. You’ll start with an E power chord on the 7th fret, giving you that instant heavy sound. The song then moves through E, A, and D power chords, all played with steady downstrokes. Focus on listening to the track to nail the rhythm, and you’ll be headbanging along in no time. This track is excellent for building hand strength and getting comfortable with power chord transitions.
2. “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi
If soulful ballads are more your style, Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved” is a fantastic choice. This emotional hit uses a capo on the 1st fret and features a chord progression of C, G, Am, and F. These are all fundamental open chords that are often among the first chords beginners learn. You can strum these chords slowly to match the song’s melancholic mood, or try fingerpicking the strings individually for a more nuanced sound as your skills develop. The bridge introduces Am7 and Dm7 chords, which are slight variations of the basic chords and offer a gentle introduction to 7th chords.
3. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Instantly recognizable and undeniably fun, the main riff of “Sweet Home Alabama” is a classic for a reason. It revolves around the open chord shapes of D, C, and G. If you’ve practiced these essential chords, you’ll be able to pick up this riff relatively quickly. The key to mastering this song is to play along with the original track, paying close attention to the beat and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s signature picking style. The riff is repetitive and cyclical, making it easy to practice and memorize. You’ll find yourself playing this automatically before you know it!
4. “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty
Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” is a timeless classic covered by many artists, including John Mayer. With a capo on the 3rd fret, the song uses simple open D, A, and E chords, along with a Dsus4 chord for a little variation. The Dsus4 is easily played by adding your pinky finger to the 3rd fret of the high E string while playing a standard D chord. This song works beautifully on both acoustic and electric guitars. Try adding a touch of overdrive on an electric guitar for a classic rock vibe. Its straightforward chord progression makes it one of the easiest songs to learn on guitar and sing along to.
5. “My Generation” by The Who
For a dose of iconic 60s rock, “My Generation” by The Who is incredibly easy to play and full of energy. This song is built on just two chords: G and F. Playing them as power chords will give you that powerful, rocking sound that defines The Who. “My Generation” is famous for its bass solo, but Pete Townshend’s guitar fills offer perfect opportunities to start experimenting with improvisation. The simple chord structure makes it a great song for developing your ear and experimenting with basic soloing.
6. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals
“House of the Rising Sun” is a bluesy and atmospheric classic that uses a sequence of Am, C, D, E, and F chords. Instead of strumming, this song is often played by arpeggiating the chords, meaning you pick each note of the chord individually. This creates the song’s signature melancholic and blues-infused tone. Later in the song, you’ll encounter a C/E chord, which is a C chord with an E bass note. This is a simple variation that adds a touch of sophistication. You’ll also find E7 and F7 chords, which introduce 7th notes from the scale, adding a bit of bluesy tension. These variations are simple to grasp and add depth to your playing.
7. “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus
If you’re in the mood for some country fun, “Achy Breaky Heart” is a catchy and straightforward song with just two chords: A and E. This simplicity provides a great foundation for exploring country guitar techniques. You can experiment with country-style licks using the notes within the A and E chords. Delving into scales in the key of A will open up opportunities for improvising solos over the song’s simple structure. For a truly authentic country sound, try incorporating “chicken pickin'” techniques as you progress.
8. “American Idiot” by Green Day
Green Day’s “American Idiot” was a defining pop-punk anthem of the 2000s, and it remains incredibly fun to play on guitar. The main riff is composed of three power chords: C#, G#, and F#. The song involves quick transitions between these power chord positions. The riff concludes with a sharp, energetic hit on the open strings, signaling the vocal entry. Even the guitar solo is accessible for beginners, featuring octave shapes and a simple lick higher up the neck.
9. “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley
Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” is an uplifting reggae classic built on just three chords: A, D, and E. The reggae strumming pattern can be a bit tricky for absolute beginners, but starting with a basic, consistent rhythm will help you get comfortable with the chord changes. As you improve, you can then work on incorporating the more complex reggae strumming patterns to capture the authentic feel of the song. This song is perfect for practicing smooth chord transitions and developing your rhythmic feel.
10. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana is practically a rite of passage for guitarists. This grunge anthem is based on four power chords. These chords are played at the 1st fret of the E string, 1st fret of the A string, 4th fret of the E string, and 4th fret of the A string. The rhythm is straightforward, allowing you to focus on the raw energy and attitude of the song. To achieve the signature rhythm, hit each chord a couple of times and then fill the spaces with muted strums across the strings. For the verses, simply hold down the 1st fret of the high E and B strings and pluck them – and you’ve got the verse melody!
11. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” is an undeniably feel-good song in the key of G major. It’s hard not to smile while playing this tune! Featuring easily strummed open G, C, D, and Em chords, it’s a great song for practicing your strumming and singing simultaneously. Once you’re comfortable with the chords and rhythm, challenge yourself to learn the fun, riff-based intro. “Brown Eyed Girl” is a crowd-pleasing song that’s perfect for building confidence and enjoyment in your playing.
12. “Wonderwall” by Oasis
Oasis’ “Wonderwall” might be a song that’s played a lot, but it’s still a fundamental song for any guitarist to have in their repertoire. With a capo on the 2nd fret, it uses basic G, C, D, and Em chords, but with a slight twist. On each chord, you hold down the 3rd fret of the B and high E strings. This creates the iconic bright, treble-heavy tone of “Wonderwall.” Later in the song, you’ll encounter a G transition chord, which helps smoothly transition into the Em chord. This transition chord is a useful technique that you’ll see in many other songs, making it a valuable element to learn early on.
13. “Zombie” by The Cranberries
The Cranberries’ “Zombie” is a powerful and emotive song that’s surprisingly simple to learn. It uses just four chords: Em, Cmaj7, G, and D. The Cmaj7 chord might sound complex, but it’s essentially the same shape as an open C chord, just without fretting the 1st fret on the B string. There’s a real satisfaction in playing and singing along to the chorus “What’s in your heaaaad” while playing this comfortable chord progression. “Zombie” is a great song for practicing dynamics and emotional expression on the guitar.
14. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan/Guns N’ Roses
“Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” originally by Bob Dylan and famously covered by Guns N’ Roses, is a classic that’s both easy to play and sing along to. In the verses, it follows a progression of G, D, Am/G, D, C, alternating between Am and C as the last chord. The chorus simplifies to a G, D, and C progression. The song’s structure is repetitive and easy to memorize, making it a great choice for beginners to practice chord changes and strumming patterns.
15. “The Joker” by Steve Miller Band
Steve Miller Band’s “The Joker” is an incredibly catchy song that’s also very beginner-friendly. It’s based on just three simple chords: G, Cadd9, and D. These chords are played in a steady, repeating pattern. As you become more comfortable with the chord changes, you can start to pick out individual notes to mimic the bassline and add your own little fills and embellishments. “The Joker” is a great song for developing rhythmic accuracy and exploring basic improvisation.
16. “Buck Rogers” by Feeder
Feeder’s “Buck Rogers” is a 2000s rock anthem that still holds up today. It has a simple arrangement built around an open Em chord and power chords at the 7th and 9th frets of the low E string. This forms the basic rhythm of the song. The chorus adds a power chord at the 5th fret of the low E string. All chords are strummed in a consistent beat, making it easy to follow and learn. “Buck Rogers” is a perfect song for practicing power chords and energetic strumming.
17. “All The Small Things” by Blink-182
Blink-182’s “All The Small Things” is pop-punk perfection and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It revolves around a C power chord on the 3rd fret of the A string, a G power chord on the 3rd fret of the low E string, and a power chord in the F position. The strumming pattern is easy to master, consisting primarily of steady downstrokes. Listen for the palm mutes in the intro and subtle pauses throughout the song to get the rhythm and feel just right. “All The Small Things” is a high-energy song that’s great for practicing power chords and rhythmic precision.
18. “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars” is a soulful and catchy song that’s also very easy to play. It features a melodic riff that’s picked throughout much of the song, offering a break from strumming-heavy songs. Instead of strumming full chords, you pick power chord shapes. There’s a slight stretch involved in picking the 5th fret of the A string and the 9th fret of the G string, which is great for building hand strength and dexterity. The song concludes with a series of chords – A, E/G#, D, Dsus2, Dmaj7 – played in a steady, down-picked rhythm to match the vocals. While these chord names might seem a bit more advanced, they are played in a simple, repetitive manner that’s accessible to beginners.
19. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” is a timeless classic with open chords, a memorable intro, and heartwarming lyrics. It’s one of those songs that’s impossible not to sing along to, and the simple C, Am, F, G chord progression makes it easy to focus on your vocals while playing. The intro riff is all about timing, so listen closely to the original recording to capture its feel. For the strumming patterns, aim to match the beat and tempo of the song to get the groove just right. “Stand By Me” is a fantastic song for practicing smooth chord transitions and developing your sense of rhythm.
20. “Love Me Do” by The Beatles
The Beatles’ “Love Me Do” is super simple and super classic, making it an ideal choice for beginner guitarists. It uses just G, C, G7, and D chords. The G7 chord is a slight variation of G, simply moving your finger from the 3rd fret to the 1st fret on the high E string. The strumming pattern is consistent and not overly complex, making it easy to pick up quickly and play along. “Love Me Do” is a foundational song that will build your confidence and introduce you to classic rock and roll.
21. “A Horse With No Name” by America
America’s “A Horse With No Name” might have a slightly different strumming pattern than many beginner songs, but it avoids difficult chords. The chord progression consists of Em, D6/9, Em9, and Dmaj9. While these chord names might seem intimidating, they are actually very easy to play. D6/9 involves just one finger, Em9 simply requires you to hold the 2nd fret of the high E string instead of the A string, and Dmaj9 is a slight variation of a standard D chord. “A Horse With No Name” is a great song for expanding your chord vocabulary slightly while still remaining accessible.
22. “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones
The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop” is a punk rock anthem that’s incredibly simple and energetic. This song is built on just three power chords. These power chords are located at the 5th fret of the low E string, the 5th fret of the A string, and the 7th fret of the A string. The progression is very easy to learn and memorize. The key to playing “Blitzkrieg Bop” is to play it fast and loud! It’s perfect for practicing fast power chord changes and unleashing some punk rock energy.
23. “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes
4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up?” is a 90s classic with just three chords, a straightforward strumming pattern, and powerful vocals. All you need to play “What’s Up?” are G, Am, and C chords. The strumming pattern transitions from slow to fast within each bar, making it easy to get into the rhythm of the song. “What’s Up?” is a great song for practicing dynamic strumming and singing along to a powerful melody.
24. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day
Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” is a mellow and catchy acoustic favorite. The chord progression of G, Cadd9, D, Em, and C is simple and quick to learn. The intro involves a slightly different technique: instead of full strums, you play the bass strings while sequentially picking the high E and B strings. Soon after the intro, the song transitions to standard strumming patterns. “Good Riddance” is an excellent song for practicing fingerpicking and transitioning between fingerpicking and strumming.
25. “Circles” by Post Malone
Post Malone’s “Circles” is a modern hit that’s really fun to strum and sing along with. The strumming pattern is very simple, and while the chord names might look complex at first glance, they are mostly variations on open chords. The chords are: Cmaj7, Fmaj7, Fm, C, F, C/B, and Cmaj7/B. If you find barre chords like F challenging initially, you can substitute it with a power chord or an open F chord. “Circles” is a great song for getting comfortable with slightly more complex chord names while still playing relatively easy shapes.
26. “Otherside” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Otherside” features a recognizable riff and simple chord structure. While the verses in the original song typically don’t have strummed chords, strumming chords works perfectly well for beginners. The song uses Am, F, C, G, Em, and A chords, which are all fundamental open chords. As you progress, you can try playing the iconic riff and melody over a backing track to challenge yourself further. “Otherside” is a fantastic song for practicing both strumming and transitioning to riff-based playing.
27. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” is a slow and romantic song with an easy selection of chords. You only need C, C/E, F, G, Dm, and Am chords to play the entire song. The key to mastering “Thinking Out Loud” is paying close attention to the timing and chord changes, especially in the line “maybe we found love right where we are,” where there’s a chord change for almost every word. While this might seem challenging at first, with a little practice, you’ll master it. “Thinking Out Loud” is a beautiful song for practicing timing, chord changes, and playing smoothly and expressively.
These 27 songs provide a diverse range of genres and styles, all while being incredibly accessible for beginner guitarists. By learning these easiest songs to learn on guitar, you’ll build a solid foundation of chords, strumming patterns, and techniques, and most importantly, you’ll have fun making music right from the start of your guitar journey. So grab your guitar, pick a song from this list, and start playing today!
