The Ultimate Guide to Easy Guitar Songs

If you want to play a catchy song on a guitar, you’re not the only one.

The guitar is a massively popular instrument. In the US, 16 million people took up the guitar at the outset of the pandemic.

That’s a lot of beginners looking to learn easy guitar songs.

Table of Contents

• What’s the Easiest Song to Play on the Guitar?
• Single Chord Songs
• Two-Chord Campfire Songs for Beginners
• Three-Chord Songs
• Four-Chord Songs
• What is a Fun Song to Play on Guitar?
• Chord Progressions
• Popular Chord Progressions
• Essential Open Chords
• Changing Between Chords: Tips for Smooth Playing
• Strumming: The Heartbeat of Easy Songs
• Singing While Playing
• Memorizing Chords and Lyrics
• Incorporating Fingerpicking into Easy Guitar Songs
• Setting Up Effective Practice Sessions
• Overcoming Common Challenges for Beginner Guitarists
• 15 Top Beginner Guitar Songs
• More Tips for Mastering These Songs
• Even More Songs? Use a Capo
• The Role of Theory in Learning Guitar Songs

Perfect entry point – easy guitar songs for beginners

Whether we want to play “Brown Eyed Girl”, or become the next Bob Dylan, we need an entry point. We want to find songs that sound great but are accessible.

This article explores the easiest songs to play on the guitar. These tunes are popular vocal songs to strum and sing. It is not beginning classical guitar music.

We find out what makes a song “easy”. We give you a selection of one, two, three and four-chord songs, and offer tips on how to make them sound effortless. We talk about strumming. We talk about singing.

And we offer up our ultimate list of 15 top beginner guitar songs to enjoy.

So whether we want to release our inner Taylor Swift or our Lynyrd Skynyrd, let’s dive into the Ultimate Guide to Easy Guitar Songs.

What are the Easiest Songs to Play on the Guitar?

There’s no single “easiest” guitar song. It depends on our familiarity with chords, hand dexterity, and playing experience.

Easier guitar songs will feature:

1. Minimal chord changes

2. Easy chords

3. A simple strumming pattern

4. A slow tempo

Many guitar songs include just one or two basic chords. It makes sense to start with these.

Single Chord Songs

Single-chord songs are great for practicing strumming, rhythm, and timing. We don’t have to worry about chord changes.

They are some of the easiest songs to play. And they focus on melody, lyrics, and rhythm to engage listeners.

Many of them are children’s songs, like “Frere Jacques” or rounds like “Row Row Row Your Boat”.

Many are songs from aural traditions, such as “Shady Grove”.

But there are also instances of one-chord songs in popular music. Check out “Crosseyed and Painless” by the Talking Heads. Or the reggae beat “Exodus”, by Bob Marley.

And don’t forget the quirky honky-tonk “Ding Dang” by the Beach Boys. It lasts all of one minute.

Two-Chord Campfire Guitar Songs for Beginners

Two-chord songs can be fun for all ages. But they are especially good for kids, and a campfire crowd.

Campfire songs allow everyone to join in, regardless of musical ability. They create a shared experience. They bring people together, making lasting memories.

When choosing songs for a campfire, simplicity is key. These songs often have memorable melodies and simple lyrics. They are easy to learn after just a few repetitions.

We can create a fun atmosphere with minimal effort. And everyone can join in.

Here are some classic campfire songs that we can play with just two chords:

1. “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” by Hank Williams

   • Chords: C and G

   • A classic, upbeat country song.

2. “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus

   • Chords: A and E

   • An iconic country song with a catchy chorus.

3. “Feelin’ Alright” by Traffic (Popularized by Joe Cocker)

   • Chords: C7 and F7

   • For a relaxed, groovy campfire vibe.

4. “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley

   • Chords: A and D

   • This reggae classic is easy to play and spreads general happiness.

5. “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”

   • Chords: G and D

   • A fun and engaging song for all ages, especially if kids are part of the campfire crowd.

6. “Down in the Valley”

   • Chords: G and D7

   • A traditional folk song.

Other Two-Chord Songs

Many traditional folk songs are based on two chords. But some popular songs are too.

Take the hit Beatles song “Eleanor Rigby”. It alternates an Em and C chord to create that nostalgic feel. And Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” can be played with just two chords.

“Horse with No Name” by America is another great song for beginners.

Three-Chord Songs

This is where the floodgates open. There must be thousands of songs based on just three chords.

But the “three-chord trick” is not a combination of random chords. Music like this has been sung for centuries. It’s a chord progression that follows some of the most powerful rules in music theory.

They’re only three chords – but they are the right three chords.

We’ll talk about this important chord progression later. But for now, here are some easy guitar songs containing three chords. These are perfect for the beginner guitarist.

• “Happy Birthday” – Trad.

• “The Duck Song” – Bryant Oden

• “Hound Dog” – Elvis Presley

• “La Bamba” – Ritchie Valens

• “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” – The Tokens

• “Wild Thing” – The Troggs

• “Love Me Do” – The Beatles

• “Ring of Fire” – Johnny Cash

• “Stay with Me” – Sam Smith

• “Surfin’ USA” – The Beach Boys

• “Mustang Sally” – Wilson Pickett

• “Marry You” – Bruno Mars

• “The First Cut is The Deepest” – Sheryl Crow

• “Great Balls of Fire” – Jerry Lee Lewis

• “Gloria” – Them

• “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw

And let’s not forget the catchy and energetic “Blitzkrieg Bop” by Ramones. Perfect for the neo-punks among us to jam on our electric guitars.

Four-Chord Songs

With four chords, the world is our oyster. Millions of songs use just four chords.

Here are just ten:

• “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran

• “Faded” – Alan Walker

• “Radioactive” – Imagine Dragons

• “Zombie” – The Cranberries

• “You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift

• “It’s My Life” – Bon Jovi

• “Creep” – Radiohead

• “I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz

• “Get Lucky” – Daft Punk

• “Hey Ya” – Outkast

To appreciate the power of the four-chord song (and if you want a smile), enjoy these witty videos:

• The brilliant Axis of Awesome

• And the wonderful Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

We get the joke. Great songs often revolve around the same four chords.

What is a Fun Song to Play on Guitar?

Once we have a few chords in our toolbox, we’ll be looking for fun beginner songs to play.

Of course, our definition of a fun song may differ from someone else’s.

We might be excited by the driving power of “Eye of the Tiger” or prefer “Sweet Home Alabama”.

We might be a fan of Tom Petty’s songs. Or we might want to revisit the campfire songs from our Scouting days.

Whatever our personal preferences, enjoyable songs usually have some of the following features:

• Catchy Melodies: They stick in your mind.

• Comfortable Chord Progressions: This doesn’t necessarily mean the chords have to be simple. Sometimes, the challenge of mastering a slightly complex progression can be part of the fun.

• Rhythmic Variety: Exciting rhythms lead to a more lively and dynamic experience.

• Personal Connection: Songs that hold personal significance or evoke strong emotions can be more enjoyable to play.

• Opportunity for Creativity: Songs that allow for a bit of improvisation or personal interpretation can be fun to play. They give us the chance to put our spin on the music. This may be beyond the scope of an easy guitar song. But it’s fun to have a go!

• Skill Level Appropriateness: It’s not much fun if we’re struggling. We need just the right amount of challenge without being overwhelmed.

• Audience Engagement: Well-loved songs are fun to play in social settings. It’s great when others join in. (As long as Great Aunt Maud is singing in tune.)

• Variety in Techniques: Songs incorporating fingerpicking, hammer-ons, pull-offs or slides can keep things fresh and interesting.

• The Cool Factor: Some songs are just inherently cool. There could be an iconic riff. Or the song could hold legendary status in music history. It could just be how the song feels when you play it.

The most fun songs are the ones that keep you coming back for more.

Chord Progressions

We’ve used the phrase “chord progression” a few times already. Even very easy guitar songs use chord progressions. (Unless it’s a song that only contains one chord.)

Some chord progressions are more common than others. So let’s explore what a chord progression is.

To do that, we need (briefly) to explore scales.

8 steps to scale success

Imagine a “scale” in music as a ladder with eight steps, each step representing a note. These steps are called “degrees”, and each has a specific role in the scale.

Like characters in a story, each degree has its own personality and purpose. They are referred to by the Roman numerals I to VIII:

I (1st degree): This is the starting point. The home base. It’s the keynote of the scale where music often begins and ends. It gives a sense of completion and rest. It’s called the Tonic.

II (2nd degree): Just above the home base, this note adds a bit of tension and leads nicely towards other notes. It’s called the Supertonic.

III (3rd degree): Midway between the tonic and the 5th degree, this note helps define the scale’s major or minor quality. It’s called the Sub-Mediant.

IV (4th degree): This is like a step down from the 5th degree, offering a soft landing. Or it provides a build-up back to the tonic. It’s called the Sub-Dominant.

V (5th degree): This strong step creates tension. It’s seeking to resolve back to the tonic. It’s like the peak of a hill, right before you go back home. It’s called the Dominant.

VI (6th degree): This provides a contrasting quality to the mediant and often leads to the dominant or subdominant. It’s called the Sub-Mediant.

VII (7th degree): Right below the tonic, this note is full of tension. It feels like it’s almost pulling us back to the start. Because it leads strongly to the tonic, it’s called the Leading Tone (or Leading Note).

VIII (8th degree): This is the tonic again, but a higher version. We’ve climbed the ladder and reached the top, completing the journey. It’s an “Octave” (eight notes) above our first tonic.

Building simple chord progressions

We can build a chord on each of these scale degrees. The name of the chord is the same as the number of the scale degree.

So chords built on the first, fourth and fifth degrees of the scale will be called chords I, IV and V.

We can then use these numbers to play chords belonging to any key by counting up the scale.

For instance, in the key of C, the I, IV, V progression will consist of the C, F and G chords. In the key of G, the I, IV, and V will be the G, C and D chords.

(Theory tip: The musical alphabet consists of the letters A to G. It then loops round and starts again at A. So the scale of G starts on G, but the second degree is A, not H. If you want to know more about how chords and scales are related, click here.)

Popular Chord Progressions

Many hit songs are no more than a simple chord progression played with style.

The simplest and most common chord progression is I, IV, V, repeat. (Think “La Bamba”.) The band Status Quo is famous for it.

But perhaps the best-known progression in pop (although we may not be aware of it) is I, V, VI, IV. (Think “Don’t Stop Believing”).

Another hit song might use I, VI, IV, V (“Unchained Melody”.)

Jazz music often makes use of II, V, and I.

It doesn’t stop there.

While many artists strive to come up with a new sound, composers have used this magical, enduring progression for centuries:

I, IV, VII, III, VI, II, V, I

And thousands of songs use snippets of it.

Essential Guitar Open Chords

The first chords guitarists usually learn are “Open” chords. They are usually considered essential for beginner guitar players. And form the foundations for many a great song.

They are known affectionately as “Cowboy Chords”.

They are called “open chords” because we play “open strings” in combination with strings that are being fretted.

Open strings are those that are played without us pressing down anywhere on the fretboard. Guitar open strings are usually tuned to E, A, D, G, B and E, although other tunings are often used.

Major chords like C, A, G, E, and D are essential open chords. These are some of the first guitar chords beginner guitar players learn.

We can also include the minor chords Am, Em, and Dm. And the sevenths: G7, A7 and D7.

A chord diagram is a helpful reference when we first start. This shows us which fingers to use on which strings. We don’t have to stick rigidly to a chord chart, but it usually offers the most common and efficient way of playing the chord.

It’s not unusual for an entire song to be made up of just a few of these open chords. They are at the root of music genres from rock and pop to folk and country. They allow us to play a vast repertoire.

Mastering open chords develops finger dexterity. It improves our ability to change chords smoothly. It paves the way for exploring more complex chord shapes – and music theory.

You can click here for a packet of guitar chord resources, including chord diagram reference sheets.

Changing Between Chords: Tips for Smooth Playing

Smooth chord transitions are essential for rhythmic song playing. Beginners can sometimes find this aspect challenging, but there are effective ways to improve.

Here are some tips for quicker, smoother transitions between common chords.

• The “pivot finger” method. One finger remains anchored in place while we switch from one chord to another.

• Begin the switch from one chord to another with a certain finger. Make sure it takes the most direct path to the new position. Watch the movement, and make sure it’s efficient. Try this with each finger in turn.

• Practice chords in pairs. Then in threes.

• Practice transitions slowly and deliberately. And that’s extreme slow motion. Pretend you are in the Matrix!

• Gradually increase speed as we become more comfortable.

• Use “corrective pauses“. Keep it rhythmic, but leave out a beat of strumming while you change.

Ultimately, patience and consistent practice is the key.

Slow is Smooth, and Smooth is Fast.

Strumming: The Heartbeat of Easy Songs

Strumming is the heartbeat of guitar music. It provides rhythm and mood, and drives the song forward. Understanding basic strumming patterns is crucial for bringing a great song to life.

We can strum with our thumbs or our fingers (like a ukulele player). Or we can use a pick.

A pick sounds great on an acoustic guitar. But a classical guitar doesn’t have a pick-guard to protect the guitar surface.

If you’re strumming on a classical guitar, and worried that using a pick might spoil the finish, try this:

Pretend you’re holding a pick. Then strum up and down using the front of the index fingernail on the downstroke. Use the thumbnail on the upstroke.

It creates a nice relaxed full sound.

How to start strumming

The key to strumming is to keep it rhythmic. Start with simple downstrokes to keep the beat. Think of it like a ticking clock. Or a heartbeat. It’s no coincidence that another word for the musical beat is the “pulse”.

Gradually introduce upstrokes. Count to eight as you strum up and down. Don’t worry about more complex rhythms until you feel you can strum in time.

Strumming up and down is a good way to get the feel of the rhythm. But strumming like that for the entire song can get a bit repetitive.

So the next thing we can do is to make our strumming patterns more interesting. We do this by leaving out the occasional strum. We count out loud while we do this.

For example, we can count eight up and down strokes, but leave out number five. We continue moving our hand as if we are strumming number five, but miss the strings.

We can then leave out another random number.

Like all guitar playing, this takes some practice. But it’s very fun to do.

Eventually, we will be able to do this by counting in our heads rather than out loud. And it’ll sound fantastic.

The strumming hand can be considered as important as the fretting hand. With patience and practice, our strumming will become more confident and relaxed.

Singing While Playing

It’s nice to strum along with a singer. But many of us want to sing ourselves – and play guitar at the same time.

Starting with easy songs makes this complex coordination a bit easier.

If we choose songs with simple chords and strumming patterns, we can focus on our vocals.

To start with, we can practice speaking the lyrics while we’re playing, rather than singing. This helps to synchronize our strumming with the rhythmic pattern of the words.

It also helps us to memorize the lyrics.

Memorizing Chords and Lyrics

Memorizing chords and lyrics can turn a good performance into a fluid, natural performance.

How can we achieve this?

We can practice referring to the chords and lyrics as little as possible. Visual memory aids, such as writing down the chord progressions or sketching out the song structure, can also be helpful.

Luckily, we can practice the words pretty much anywhere. We don’t have to sing. We can recite the lyrics in the car, in the shower, in the backyard, or on the school run.

Cleaning our teeth would be an exception.

If we begin by playing songs with a simple chord progression, we often get used to hearing where to change chords.

Repetition is key: The more we play a song, the more naturally the chords and lyrics will come to us.

Incorporating Fingerpicking into Easy Guitar Songs

Fingerpicking adds texture and depth to song accompaniments. It presents a more delicate soundscape. And it looks and sounds impressive, so that’s a bonus.

We can begin with simple patterns, using our thumb for the bass notes and our fingers for the other strings. As we become more comfortable, we can experiment with more complex patterns.

Most fingerpicking patterns use the index, middle and ring fingers on the G, B and top E strings of the guitar. The thumb can play any of the three bass strings. (E, A and D.)

However, numerous pattern variations don’t stick to this rule. We can do whatever we like if it sounds good.

The key is to practice fingerpicking slowly.

It’s also a good way of hearing if our chord is sounding as clean as we thought when we were strumming.

When we pluck an individual string within a chord, we can often hear a dud note from an inaccurate fretting finger. Chances are, the rest of the strum had been covering it up before.

With fingerpicking, there’s nowhere to hide.

Setting Up Effective Practice Sessions

Effective practice is crucial for progression. We’ll make headway if we set clear, achievable goals for each session.

It makes sense to keep sessions focused and distraction-free. If we regularly review our progress, we stay motivated. This works for simple guitar songs as much as complex technical routines.

Consistency is more important than the length of practice time. Even short, daily sessions can lead to significant improvements over time.

Overcoming Common Challenges for Beginner Guitarists

Every beginner faces challenges. Nearly everyone suffers from sore fingers at some point. And chord transitions can be mighty frustrating.

It’s easy to think everyone else is more talented than us. Or that our joints and muscles are less flexible than everyone else’s.

But these hurdles are part of the learning process.

Regular practice, proper technique, and taking breaks when needed can help. As can focused exercises and a huge dollop of patience.

Try to stay motivated and persistent.

15 Top Beginner Guitar Songs

Here’s our list of 15 easy guitar songs that are perfect for beginners. Many are classics. And it’s no coincidence that they feature simple chord progressions or slow tempos.

• “Horse with No Name” by America
• “Wonderwall” by Oasis
• “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan
• “Let It Be” by The Beatles
• “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd
• “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day
• “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
• “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt
• “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
• “Yellow” by Coldplay
• “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley
• “Love Me Do” by The Beatles
• “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
• “Zombie” by The Cranberries
• “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

More Tips for Mastering These Songs

1. Start Slow: Patience is our best ally. Work on getting the notes right at a slow tempo before attempting to play at the original speed.

2. Use a Metronome: This invaluable tool will help us maintain a steady rhythm.

3. Focus on Clean Transitions: Spend extra time practicing moving smoothly between chords. Clean transitions are crucial for making music sound fluid and professional.

4. Listen Actively: Listening to recordings of these songs helps.

5. Enjoy the Process: The journey is as important as the destination. We can try to celebrate progress rather than be discouraged by setbacks.

Even More Songs? Use a Capo

A capo is a useful bit of kit to have in our bags. It gives us even more opportunities to extend our great beginner songbook.

It’s a device that clamps onto our guitar neck to shorten the strings. So it changes the pitch of the strings wherever it’s placed. It’s effectively moving the guitar nut to wherever we want it.

This enables us to play the shapes of open chords at different positions on the fretboard, and avoid bar chords. We can play songs in different keys, and adapt songs to match our vocal range.

It also sometimes makes it easier for us to play in a band with other instruments.

The Role of Music Theory in Learning Guitar Songs

A basic understanding of music theory can enrich our guitar playing and songwriting.

Learning about key signatures, chord triads and song structures can give us a deeper understanding of the music we play.

While theory may seem daunting at first, even a little knowledge can go a long way to enhance our musical intuition and creativity.

And if we fancy writing some easy guitar songs ourselves, then we have some tools to start with.

A Lifelong Relationship

Starting our guitar journey with easy songs is not just about learning to play music. It’s about building a lifelong relationship with our instrument. And it’s about sharing that skill – and that passion for music – with others.

Mastering a song – no matter how simple – is a joy. So satisfying.

So keep practicing that strumming pattern. Learn those essential guitar chords. Enjoy singing with friends, family, or just in your own space.

And try out some of the songs we’ve mentioned in our Ultimate Guide to Easy Guitar Songs.

We never get tired of them.