Learning your first song on guitar is a major milestone for any beginner. After mastering the basics like tuning, holding a pick, and learning a few chords, playing a song is the perfect way to put your skills into practice and feel a real sense of accomplishment. If you’re drawn to the heartfelt storytelling and twangy sounds of country music, you’re in luck! Country music is full of fantastic songs that are surprisingly easy to learn on guitar, making it an ideal genre for beginners.
Country music offers a wide range of guitar techniques that are accessible to new players. From simple strumming patterns to foundational fingerpicking, learning Easy Country Songs On Guitar is a fun and effective way to build your skills. Whether you’re a fan of classic icons like Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton or contemporary stars like Carrie Underwood and Maren Morris, there’s a wealth of easy country tunes waiting for you to discover.
Here are 19 easy country songs on guitar that are perfect for beginners to learn and enjoy:
Dolly Parton – “Jolene”
Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” is a classic country ballad known for its haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics. This song is built around a simple and repetitive chord progression using just three easy guitar chords: Am, C, and G. “Jolene” is excellent for practicing strumming techniques. Beginners can focus on alternate strumming at a slower tempo to capture the song’s emotional depth. As you become more comfortable, you can experiment with dynamics and strumming patterns to add your own touch. The song’s structure is also very straightforward, making it easy to follow and memorize. The enduring popularity of “Jolene” means you’ll be learning a song that’s instantly recognizable and impressive to play.
Chords Used: Am, C, G
Learn how to play “Jolene” by Dolly Parton on Fender Play
Willie Nelson – “On the Road Again”
“On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson is an iconic country anthem that celebrates the joys of touring and making music with friends. This upbeat and catchy tune is fantastic for beginner guitarists because it relies on simple strumming and introduces the bass note strum technique. The song is driven by a lively rhythm guitar part, which is perfect for developing your strumming hand coordination and timing. “On the Road Again” is also a great song for playing with others. Its simple structure and repetitive chords make it ideal for jam sessions, where you can divide up parts between different instruments and players. Learning this song will give you a taste of classic country rhythm guitar and get you playing a crowd-pleasing favorite quickly.
Chords Used: G, C, D
Learn how to play “On the Road Again” on Fender Play
Hank Williams – “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)”
Hank Williams’ “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” is a cornerstone of country music, known for its infectious melody and sing-along chorus. This song is excellent for beginners because it features a simple chord progression using only two easy guitar chords: C and G. “Jambalaya” is also a great introduction to single-note picking techniques in country guitar. While the song is strumming-based, experimenting with picking out the melody notes can be a fun challenge for beginners looking to expand their skills. The song’s cheerful and upbeat tempo makes it enjoyable to practice, and its historical significance in country music makes it a valuable addition to any beginner’s repertoire.
Chords Used: C, G
Learn how to play “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” on Fender Play
Steve Goodman – “City of New Orleans”
“City of New Orleans,” written by Steve Goodman and popularized by Arlo Guthrie and Willie Nelson, is a folk-country classic that paints a vivid picture of a train journey through America. This song is beneficial for beginner guitarists as it helps solidify bass note strumming techniques. The song’s gentle tempo and clear chord changes make it easy to follow along and practice smooth transitions between chords. “City of New Orleans” is also a great song for developing a sense of rhythm and timing, crucial skills for any guitarist. Learning this song will not only expand your country repertoire but also introduce you to the storytelling tradition within the genre.
Chords Used: C, G, F
Learn how to play “City of New Orleans” on Fender Play
Dolly Parton – “I Will Always Love You”
While famously covered by Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton’s original version of “I Will Always Love You” is a deeply moving country ballad that showcases her songwriting and vocal talent. For beginner guitarists, Dolly’s version provides an opportunity to practice fingerpicking and bass note strumming in a slower, more deliberate context. The song features a country-style walk down, a common technique in country guitar, which adds a melodic element to your playing. “I Will Always Love You” is a powerful song that allows beginners to explore dynamics and expression on the guitar while learning a timeless classic. Its emotional depth and relatively simple guitar arrangement make it a rewarding song to learn.
Chords Used: G, D, C, Em
Learn how to play “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton on Fender Play
John Denver – “Thank God I’m a Country Boy”
John Denver’s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” is an upbeat and celebratory anthem that blends folk and country influences. This song is excellent for beginners looking to learn melodic riffs and bass note picking. The main riff is catchy and repetitive, making it easy to memorize and incorporate into your playing. “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” also encourages you to develop a rhythmic feel in your playing, essential for country and folk styles. Learning this song will add a lively and fun piece to your beginner repertoire, perfect for showcasing your growing guitar skills.
Chords Used: G, C, D
Learn how to play “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” on Fender Play
Carrie Underwood – “Blown Away”
Carrie Underwood is a contemporary country superstar, and “Blown Away” is one of her Grammy-winning hits that demonstrates her powerful vocals and storytelling. This song is remarkably easy for beginner guitarists as it revolves around a single chord progression. Mastering this progression will allow you to play through the entire song, focusing on your strumming and rhythm. “Blown Away” is a great choice for beginners who want to learn a modern country hit quickly and impress their friends with a recognizable and contemporary song.
Chords Used: Am, G, C, F
Learn how to play “Blown Away” on Fender Play
Willie Nelson – “Whiskey River”
“Whiskey River” is another Willie Nelson classic, known for its bluesy feel and shifts in tempo. This song introduces beginners to time signature changes and essential country guitar techniques like alternate strumming and string muting. While the song has dynamic shifts, the underlying chord progression is manageable for beginners. “Whiskey River” is a fantastic song for developing a sense of dynamics and learning how to control the intensity of your playing. It’s a great stepping stone for beginners looking to explore more nuanced country guitar techniques.
Chords Used: G, C, D, A
Learn how to play “Whiskey River” on Fender Play
Dolly Parton – “Coat of Many Colors”
“Coat of Many Colors” is a deeply personal and heartwarming song by Dolly Parton that tells a story of poverty and a mother’s love. This acoustic country ballad is perfect for beginners to practice techniques like the country-style walk down and fingerpicking with a bass note strum. The song’s slower tempo and clear melody make it easy to follow and learn these techniques gradually. “Coat of Many Colors” is not only an easy song to learn but also a song with significant emotional depth and storytelling, making it a rewarding piece to add to your repertoire.
Chords Used: C, F, G
Learn how to play “Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton on Fender Play
Dwight Yoakam – “Guitars, Cadillacs”
Dwight Yoakam’s “Guitars, Cadillacs” is a neo-traditional country hit that blends honky-tonk energy with modern sensibilities. This song introduces beginners to various picking techniques, including 16th note picking, downpicking, and hammer-ons. While these techniques might seem advanced, “Guitars, Cadillacs” is structured in a way that allows beginners to approach them gradually. The song is also driven by a strong rhythm and chord progression, making it fun to play and practice your rhythm guitar skills. Learning “Guitars, Cadillacs” will expose you to classic country guitar sounds and techniques in an engaging and approachable way.
Techniques Used: Fingerpicking, Strumming, Hammer-ons
Learn how to play “Guitars, Cadillacs” on Fender Play
Buck Owens – “Together Again”
Buck Owens’ “Together Again” is a classic Bakersfield Sound country hit known for its heartfelt lyrics and simple, direct delivery. This song is perfect for beginners to master the bass note strum, a fundamental technique in country guitar. The song’s straightforward chord progression and tempo make it easy to follow and practice. “Together Again” is a beautiful and classic country song that will help beginners solidify their basic strumming and bass note techniques while learning a timeless tune.
Chords Used: G, C, D7
Learn how to play “Together Again” on Fender Play
Traditional – “I Shall Not Be Moved”
“I Shall Not Be Moved” is a traditional song with roots in blues, folk, and country music. Mississippi John Hurt’s version is particularly influential and accessible to beginner guitarists. This song features three basic chords and syncopated rhythms, providing a great introduction to rhythmic variations in country and folk guitar. “I Shall Not Be Moved” is excellent for practicing chord changes and developing a feel for syncopation. Its historical significance and simple structure make it a valuable and easy song for beginners to learn.
Techniques Used: Basic Chords, Syncopated Rhythms
Learn how to play “I Shall Not Be Moved” on Fender Play
Maren Morris – “My Church”
Maren Morris’ “My Church” is a modern country hit with a classic feel, exploring themes of personal connection and music’s spiritual power. This song is beginner-friendly, featuring three open major chords: A, D, and E. “My Church” is a great song to practice different strumming techniques, including alternate strumming, quarter note strumming, and eighth note strumming. The song’s contemporary sound and easy chord progression make it appealing to modern beginners while providing excellent practice for fundamental strumming skills.
Chords Used: A, D, E
Learn how to play “My Church” on YouTube
Traditional – “Pay Me My Money Down”
“Pay Me My Money Down” is a traditional song popularized by artists like The Weavers, The Kingston Trio, and Bruce Springsteen. Its old-timey vibe and simple structure make it an excellent choice for beginner guitarists. The song utilizes one-finger chords and simplified rhythm patterns, making it very accessible for those just starting. “Pay Me My Money Down” is perfect for practicing basic chord shapes and developing a steady rhythm. Learning this song will give you a taste of traditional country and folk music while building your foundational guitar skills.
Chords Used: G, C, D
Learn how to play “Pay Me My Money Down” on Fender Play
Jamie Wyatt – “Just a Woman”
Jamie Wyatt is a contemporary artist known for her “outlaw country” sound, and “Just a Woman” showcases her gritty vocals and vintage country style. This song, often played with a capo on the first fret, is beginner-friendly and introduces techniques like bass-note strumming and percussive strumming. “Just a Woman” allows beginners to explore chord changes and rhythmic variations within a modern country context. Learning this song will expose you to contemporary outlaw country while reinforcing essential strumming techniques.
Techniques Used: Bass Note Strum, Percussive Strumming
Learn how to play “Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton on Fender Play
Brad Paisley – “He Didn’t Have to Be”
Brad Paisley is a master of the Telecaster and a defining voice in modern country music. “He Didn’t Have to Be” is one of his early hits and is surprisingly easy to learn on guitar. This song is excellent for refining your strumming hand technique. The gentle tempo and clear chord progression make it easy to follow and focus on creating smooth and consistent strumming patterns. “He Didn’t Have to Be” is a popular and accessible modern country song that will help beginners polish their fundamental strumming skills.
Basic Skills Needed: Strumming Technique
Learn how to play “He Didn’t Have to Be” on Fender Play
Merle Haggard – “The Fightin’ Side of Me”
Merle Haggard is a legend of outlaw country, and “The Fightin’ Side of Me” is a patriotic anthem with a classic country sound. This song introduces beginners to a common chord progression used in many styles of music, utilizing E, A, and B7 chords. “The Fightin’ Side of Me” is a great song for practicing chord changes between these essential chords. Learning this song will not only expand your country repertoire but also teach you a versatile chord progression applicable to various genres.
Chords Used: E, A, B7
Learn how to play “The Fightin’ Side of Me” on Fender Play
Willie Nelson – “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”
“Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” often associated with Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, is a classic outlaw country tune with a cautionary message. This song is excellent for practicing fingerpicking and bass note strumming in a relaxed and ambling style. The fingerpicking pattern evokes the rambling nature of the cowboy lifestyle, while the bass note strum adds a grounded feel. “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” is a richly textured song that allows beginners to explore fingerstyle guitar in an accessible way.
Techniques Used: Fingerpicking, Bass Note Strum
Learn how to play “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” on Fender Play
Merle Haggard – “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink”
Merle Haggard’s “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” is a honky-tonk classic with a shuffle rhythm and relatable lyrics about drowning sorrows. This song introduces beginners to shuffle-style strumming and bass note eighth strumming, essential techniques for playing classic country. Using easy open chords like A, D, and E, “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” is a fun and engaging song for practicing rhythmic strumming patterns. Learning this song will immerse you in the honky-tonk sound of classic country guitar.
Techniques Used: Shuffle Strumming, Bass Note Strumming
Learn how to play “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” on Fender Play
Get Started with Easy Country Guitar Songs
These 19 easy country songs on guitar offer a fantastic starting point for beginner guitarists. Each song provides an opportunity to learn essential techniques, practice basic chords, and, most importantly, have fun playing music. Country music is a rich and diverse genre, and these songs represent just a small sample of the easy and rewarding tunes available for guitarists of all levels.
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Explore more easy songs to learn in other genres: Folk Songs | Pop Songs | Rock Songs | Blues Songs | Songs for Electric Guitar | Songs for Acoustic Guitar | Songs with 3 Chords
