Learning guitar can be incredibly rewarding, and one of the most motivating things is being able to play your favorite songs quickly. If you’re just starting out, wading through complex chords and fast riffs can be discouraging. That’s why focusing on easy guitar songs is the perfect way to build your skills and confidence. This list of 27 Easy Guitar Songs To Learn is designed specifically for beginners, featuring simple chord progressions, manageable rhythms, and timeless tunes that you’ll love to play. Get ready to strum your way to success with these fantastic beginner-friendly songs!
1. “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath
For those wanting to dive straight into rock, “Paranoid” is an iconic metal anthem that’s surprisingly easy to learn on guitar.
Starting with just two powerful strums of an E power chord on the 7th fret, you’ll immediately feel the energy of rock music. This strong opening chord is followed by a cool, simple hammer-on riff in the same position, using E, A, and D power chords played with steady downstrokes. To nail this classic, listen closely to the original track to capture the rhythm and feel of this legendary 70s song. Power chords are a beginner guitarist’s best friend, and “Paranoid” is a perfect example of how impactful they can be.
2. “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi
Requires a capo on the 1st fret.
Lewis Capaldi’s soulful hit, “Someone You Loved,” is a beautiful and emotionally resonant song that’s also wonderfully accessible for beginner guitarists. Built around a core progression of C, G, Am, and F chords, this song is perfect for practicing smooth chord changes and developing your strumming hand.
You can start with a slow, steady strumming pattern to match the song’s melancholic mood. For a more nuanced approach, try fingerpicking the individual strings to bring out the melody and add a layer of sophistication to your playing. While there are some chord variations later in the song, including Am7 and Dm7 in the bridge, these are simple adjustments from the basic open chords and offer a gentle introduction to slightly more complex chord voicings without being overwhelming.
3. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Sweet Home Alabama” boasts a fun and instantly recognizable riff that evokes the spirit of the American South. This classic riff is based on D, C, and G open chord shapes, making it a fantastic choice if you’ve already started practicing these fundamental chords.
While the riff might sound fast at first, it’s not overly complex. The key is repetition – the more you play it, the faster and more authentically “twangy” your rendition will become. A helpful tip is to keep your pinky finger anchored on the 3rd fret of the B string. This positioning helps your other fingers naturally fall into place for the C and G chord shapes, streamlining the transitions and making the riff flow more smoothly. The best way to truly master it is to play along with the original Lynyrd Skynyrd recording, focusing on matching their beat and picking style. Because the riff loops back to the beginning, it’s incredibly satisfying to play repeatedly, and before you know it, you’ll be playing it effortlessly.
4. “Free Fallin'” by Tom Petty
Requires a capo on the 3rd fret.
“Free Fallin'” by Tom Petty is a timeless classic that’s been covered by numerous artists, including John Mayer. This song is built on a simple yet effective chord progression, making it a great choice for singing along while you play.
With a capo placed on the 3rd fret, you’ll be using familiar open D, A, and E chords. To add a touch of variation, the song also incorporates a Dsus4 chord. Don’t let the name intimidate you – Dsus4 is simply a D chord with your pinky finger placed on the 3rd fret of the high E string instead of the 2nd. This minor change creates a subtle but pleasing harmonic color. “Free Fallin'” works beautifully on both acoustic and electric guitars. For electric, try adding a touch of overdrive for a classic rock tone that complements the song perfectly. You’ll be channeling classic rock vibes in no time with this easy-to-master hit.
5. “My Generation” by The Who
“My Generation” by The Who is not only incredibly easy to play but also incredibly fun to rock out to. This iconic song is built around just two chords: G and F. To capture the raw energy of The Who, play these chords as power chords. Power chords are simplified versions of chords that are perfect for rock music, and they will give you that signature meaty rock sound.
The song’s structure leaves space for instrumental breaks, initially filled by the famous bass solo in the original recording. However, Pete Townshend’s energetic guitar fills provide a fantastic opportunity for you to experiment with your own improvisations. “My Generation” is an excellent song for developing your lead guitar skills because the rhythm and chord structure are straightforward, allowing you to focus on exploring simple solos and fills without getting bogged down in complex chord changes.
6. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals
“House of the Rising Sun” is a blues-infused folk classic made famous by The Animals. This song revolves around a chord progression of Am, C, D, E, and F chords. Instead of strumming, “House of the Rising Sun” is traditionally played by picking each note of the chord individually in an arpeggiated style. Playing the notes in ascending and descending order creates the song’s signature bluesy and somber tone.
Later in the song, you’ll encounter a C/E chord. This might look unusual, but it’s simply a C chord with an E note as the bass note. In practice, this is easily achieved with a slight adjustment to the standard open C chord structure, usually by ensuring the open E string rings out clearly as the lowest note in the chord. You’ll also encounter E7 and F7 chords, which introduce 7th notes from the scale, adding a touch of bluesy tension. These are simple variations of the open chords and appear a few times in the song to add harmonic color and depth.
7. “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus
If you’re in the mood for some country fun, “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus is a catchy and lighthearted song built on a simple two-chord structure.
This country-style jam uses just two chords: A and E. The simplicity of the chord progression provides ample space to explore country guitar techniques. You can experiment with country-style licks using the notes within the open A and E chords. Exploring scales in the key of A will provide you with the notes you need to improvise simple solos over the chord progression. For a more advanced country sound, try incorporating “chicken pickin'” techniques, which are a hallmark of country guitar playing and add a distinctive percussive twang to your solos.
8. “American Idiot” by Green Day
“American Idiot” by Green Day is a high-energy punk rock anthem that dominated the charts in 2003 and remains a blast to play on guitar today.
The main riff is based on three straightforward power chords in C#, G#, and F# positions. The riff involves quickly switching between these three power chords in a driving rhythm. At the end of the riff phrase, there’s a short, sharp, and energetic hit of the open strings, which acts as a musical punctuation mark and signals the start of the vocal verses. The guitar solo in “American Idiot” is also relatively beginner-friendly. It features octave shapes played in quick succession, followed by a simple, melodic lick played higher up the guitar neck.
9. “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley
Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” is an uplifting reggae classic with a message of positivity, and it’s also incredibly easy to learn on guitar. The song is built from just three chords – A, D, and E – played with a reggae strumming rhythm.
The reggae strumming pattern can be tricky for beginners to grasp initially, as it emphasizes the off-beats and creates a syncopated feel. If the reggae strum feels too challenging at first, start by practicing with a regular down-strumming rhythm pattern to get comfortable with the chord changes. Once you’re comfortable switching smoothly between A, D, and E, you can begin to incorporate the more complex reggae strum. There are many online resources and tutorials specifically dedicated to teaching reggae strumming patterns that can be very helpful.
10. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana is often considered a rite of passage for guitar players, and for good reason. This groundbreaking grunge anthem is built on a foundation of four power chords. These power 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 simple and repetitive, allowing you to focus on getting the power chord shapes clean and powerful.
To capture the signature “Smells Like Teen Spirit” rhythm, hit each power chord a couple of times and then fill the spaces between chords with muted strums (also known as palm mutes). For the verses, the guitar part becomes even simpler. By holding down the 1st fret of the high E and B strings and plucking these two strings, you’ll be playing the iconic verse melody that defines the song.
11. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” is an undeniably feel-good song that’s hard not to sing along to. Its upbeat and cheerful vibe comes from its bright G major key.
The song features easy-strumming open G, C, D, and Em chords. These are some of the first chords most guitarists learn, making “Brown Eyed Girl” an excellent choice for practicing chord transitions and developing a smooth strumming hand. Once you’ve mastered the chords and rhythm, you can challenge yourself by learning the fun, riff-based intro. The intro riff adds a distinctive melodic element to the song and is a great way to introduce yourself to playing simple lead guitar lines within a chord-based song.
12. “Wonderwall” by Oasis
Capo on the 2nd fret.
“Wonderwall” by Oasis, while sometimes jokingly groaned about for its ubiquity, is undeniably a seminal song that every guitarist should have in their repertoire. It’s built from a foundation of basic G, C, D, and Em chords, but with a slight sonic twist that gives “Wonderwall” its signature sound.
The key to the “Wonderwall” sound is to hold down the 3rd fret of both the B and high E strings across all of these chords. This technique creates the iconic “Wonderwall” treble-heavy tone. Later in the song, you’ll encounter a G transition chord. This isn’t a new chord shape, but rather a smooth way to move between chords. The G transition in “Wonderwall” involves moving from the standard G chord by sliding your finger from the 3rd fret to the 2nd fret on the low E string while keeping the 3rd fret held down on the B and high E strings. This transition chord is played just once and serves to smoothly blend into the Em chord that follows. You’ll find similar transition chord movements in many songs, so understanding this technique early on is beneficial.
13. “Zombie” by The Cranberries
“Zombie” by The Cranberries is a soulful and powerful song with a strong message. Emblematic of the 90s alternative rock scene, “Zombie” is surprisingly simple to learn on guitar, featuring just four chords: Em, Cmaj7, G, and D.
The Cmaj7 chord might look complex at first glance, but it’s actually quite straightforward – it’s essentially the same as a regular open C chord, but you don’t fret the 1st fret on the B string. There’s a unique satisfaction in playing and singing along to the powerful chorus, especially belting out “What’s in your heaaaad” as you navigate the comfortable and emotionally resonant chord progression. “Zombie” is a great song for developing your strumming dynamics and expressing emotion through your guitar playing.
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 song that’s both iconic and very approachable for beginner guitarists. It’s fun to play and easy to sing along with, making it a crowd-pleaser around a campfire or at a casual jam session.
The verse sections of “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” follow a chord progression of G, D, Am/G, D, C. The Am/G chord might seem unusual, but it’s simply an Am chord with a G note in the bass, often played by keeping the G string open. The progression alternates between Am and C as the final chord in the sequence. The chorus simplifies the chord progression to G, D, and C, creating a slightly more anthemic and singalong feel. The song then reverts to the verse progression for the subsequent verses, creating a clear and easy-to-follow structure.
15. “The Joker” by Steve Miller Band
“The Joker” by the Steve Miller Band is a true earworm – instantly recognizable and undeniably catchy. You might not immediately recognize the song title, but once you hear the opening chords, you’ll likely know it. The good news for beginner guitarists is that “The Joker” is also a breeze to play. It’s built around a simple three-chord progression of G, Cadd9, and D. These are all very common and beginner-friendly chords.
The chords are played in a steady, rhythmic pattern that is easy to internalize. As your confidence grows in playing the chords and transitioning smoothly between them, you can start to explore fingerpicking the notes individually to mimic the song’s distinctive bass line. You can also begin to add in simple guitar licks and fills of your own, drawing inspiration from the song’s bluesy and laid-back feel.
16. “Buck Rogers” by Feeder
“Buck Rogers” by Feeder is a British indie rock classic from the 2000s that still holds up today as a high-energy and fun song to play.
“Buck Rogers” has a very straightforward arrangement, making it perfect for beginner guitarists looking to play something with a bit of rock energy. The song primarily uses an open Em chord and power chords. The power chords are played at the 7th and 9th frets of the low E string. This combination forms the basic rhythmic foundation of the song. The chorus section adds another power chord, played at the 5th fret of the low E string. All these chords are strummed in a consistent, steady beat that’s easy to pick up and maintain, allowing you to focus on the energy and dynamics of the song.
17. “All The Small Things” by Blink-182
“All The Small Things” by Blink-182 is pop-punk at its most infectious and crowd-pleasing. This smash hit is guaranteed to get an audience singing along, and it’s also remarkably easy to play on guitar.
The song revolves around three power chords: a C power chord played at the 3rd fret of the A string, a G power chord played at the 3rd fret of the low E string, and a power chord in the F position (typically played starting on the 1st fret of the low E string). The strumming pattern is simple and consistent, primarily using steady downstrokes throughout the song. To get the intro and verse sections sounding authentic, listen for the palm-muting technique. Palm-muting involves resting the edge of your strumming hand lightly on the strings near the bridge while you strum. This technique deadens the strings slightly, creating a chunkier, more percussive sound that’s characteristic of pop-punk guitar.
18. “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol
“Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol is a soulful and emotionally resonant song that’s also surprisingly accessible for beginner guitarists. It’s catchy, beautiful, and relatively easy to play, making it a popular choice for learning guitar.
“Chasing Cars” features a cool, melodic riff that is picked throughout much of the song. This riff provides a refreshing change of pace from strumming-heavy songs. Instead of strumming full chords, “Chasing Cars” requires you to pick individual notes within power chord shapes. There is a slight finger stretch involved in the riff, requiring you to pick notes at the 5th fret of the A string and the 9th fret of the G string. While this might feel a bit challenging at first, it’s excellent practice for building hand strength and finger independence. Towards the end of the song, the texture shifts to strummed chords. These chords are A, E/G#, D, Dsus2, and Dmaj7. They are played in a steady, down-picked fashion to match the vocal melody.
19. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
“Stand By Me” by Ben E. King is a timeless classic known for its heartfelt lyrics, memorable melody, and easy-to-play guitar chords. It features open chords, a recognizable intro riff, and lyrics that everyone seems to know.
“Stand By Me” is built upon a simple and repeating C, Am, F, G chord progression. These are all fundamental open chords that are among the first chords most beginner guitarists learn. The intro riff is what gives “Stand By Me” its distinctive character. The riff is based around the C chord shape and utilizes hammer-ons and pull-offs to create its melodic movement. The timing of the riff is crucial to capturing its feel, so listening closely to the original recording is essential for learning it accurately. For the strumming pattern, aim to match the beat and tempo of the song. A moderate, steady strumming pattern that emphasizes the downbeats will work well for most of the song.
20. “Love Me Do” by The Beatles
“Love Me Do” by The Beatles is a super simple and undeniably classic song that’s perfect for beginner guitarists looking to learn a piece of music history. It’s straightforward, catchy, and uses a limited number of chords.
“Love Me Do” primarily uses G, C, G7, and D chords. These are all open chords that are commonly taught to beginner guitarists. The G7 chord is a slight variation of the G major chord. To play G7, you simply move your finger from the 3rd fret to the 1st fret on the high E string. The strumming pattern in “Love Me Do” is steady and not overly complex, making it easy to follow along with the song. A simple down-down-up-up-down strumming pattern or even just consistent downstrokes will work well to start.
21. “A Horse With No Name” by America
“A Horse With No Name” by America is known for its mellow, desert-rock vibe and its distinctive acoustic guitar sound. While it might sound complex, it’s actually built on relatively simple chord shapes.
There are no particularly difficult chords in “A Horse With No Name”, but the strumming pattern is slightly different from typical beginner strumming patterns. The main chord progression is made up of Em, D6/9, Em9, and Dmaj9. While these chord names might look intimidating, they are actually quite easy to play. D6/9 is a simple variation of a D chord, often played by just adding the open B string to a D shape. Em9 involves holding down the 2nd fret of the high E string instead of the A string within an Em shape. Dmaj9 is another slight variation of the standard D chord, often achieved by adding the open high E string.
22. “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones
“Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones is a punk rock anthem characterized by its raw energy, fast tempo, and incredibly simple guitar part. It’s a quintessential punk rock tune and a perfect introduction to the genre for beginner guitarists.
“Blitzkrieg Bop” is built on a foundation of just three power chords. These power chords are positioned at the 5th fret of the low E string, the 5th fret of the A string, and the 7th fret of the A string. This is a very straightforward progression to learn and memorize. The key to playing “Blitzkrieg Bop” authentically is to play it fast and loud, capturing the raw, energetic spirit of The Ramones. Focus on tight, rhythmic downstrokes and try to maintain a fast tempo.
23. “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes
“What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes is a 90s classic known for its powerful vocals and singalong chorus. Beneath the vocal performance is a simple and effective guitar arrangement that’s perfect for beginners.
“What’s Up?” is built around just three chords: G, Am, and C. These are all fundamental open chords that are among the first chords most guitarists learn. The strumming pattern in “What’s Up?” is relatively straightforward but has a slight dynamic variation. The strumming pattern goes from slow to fast within each bar, creating a subtle rhythmic push and pull. This dynamic strumming pattern is easy to get into the rhythm of once you listen to the song a few times.
24. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day
“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day, often referred to as simply “Good Riddance,” is a mellow and acoustic-driven song that contrasts sharply with Green Day’s more punk-oriented tracks. It’s catchy, emotionally resonant, and a great choice for acoustic guitar players.
“Good Riddance” uses a chord progression of G, Cadd9, D, Em, and C chords. These chords are all relatively simple and commonly used in acoustic music. The key to mastering the guitar part in “Good Riddance” is to pay attention to the strumming and picking patterns, particularly in the intro. In the intro, instead of full strums, you play the lower strings (bass notes) and then sequentially pick the high E and B strings. This creates a delicate, arpeggiated texture. Soon after the intro, the song transitions to standard strumming patterns for the verses and chorus, making it easier to play along as the song progresses.
25. “Circles” by Post Malone
“Circles” by Post Malone is a contemporary hit that blends pop, rock, and R&B influences. It’s a really fun tune to strum and sing along with, and it’s surprisingly approachable for beginner guitarists.
The strumming pattern in “Circles” is very simple and repetitive, making it easy to lock into the groove of the song. The chords used in “Circles” are: Cmaj7, Fmaj7, Fm, C, F, C/B, and Cmaj7/B. While this chord list might look long and intimidating, many of these chords are just slight variations of familiar open chords or barre chords. Cmaj7 and Fmaj7 are major 7th chords, which add a jazzy, mellow quality. Fm is an F minor chord, which adds a touch of melancholy. C/B and Cmaj7/B are slash chords, indicating a bass note change, but in practice, they are often simplified on guitar. If you find barre chords like F challenging at this stage, you can simplify it by playing it as either an F power chord (root and fifth only) or an open F chord shape (if it fits your hand).
26. “Otherside” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Otherside” by Red Hot Chili Peppers is known for its distinctive, melodic guitar riff and its blend of alternative rock and funk influences. It features a fun riff and relatively simple chords, making it a good choice for beginners who want to learn a song with a recognizable guitar part.
Typically, “Otherside” doesn’t have strummed chords in the verses in the original recording; instead, it focuses on the iconic guitar riff. However, strumming chords in the verses works just as well for a simplified beginner version and allows you to play along even if you haven’t yet mastered the riff. The chords used in “Otherside” are Am, F, C, G, Em, and A chords. These are all common chords that are often learned early on by guitarists. As you progress and become more comfortable with the song’s structure, you can start to learn the main guitar riff and melody. Playing the riff along with a backing track (available online) is a great way to practice and develop your lead guitar skills in the context of the song.
27. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
Requires a capo on the 2nd fret.
“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran is a popular and romantic ballad known for its smooth melody and heartfelt lyrics. It’s a nice and slow song with a manageable selection of chords, making it a good choice for practicing chord changes at a relaxed tempo.
“Thinking Out Loud” uses the chords C, C/E, F, G, Dm, and Am. These chords are all you need to play the entire song. The C/E chord is a variation of the C chord with an E in the bass, but on guitar, it’s often played simply as a standard C chord, especially for beginners. The key to playing “Thinking Out Loud” well is to listen closely to the song and focus on getting the timing of the chord changes right. One particularly tricky section for beginners is the line “maybe we found love right where we are.” In this phrase, there’s a chord change for each word, requiring quick and precise finger movements. While this might be challenging initially, with practice, you’ll soon master it and improve your overall chord transition speed and accuracy.
