Embarking on your guitar journey is an exciting adventure, and learning to play your favorite songs is a fantastic way to ignite your passion and keep you motivated. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of strumming along to a well-known tune, especially when you’re just starting out. While shredding like Van Halen or riffing like Cream might be your ultimate aspiration, mastering the basics is key to building a solid foundation. Luckily, there’s a treasure trove of songs that are surprisingly easy for beginners to learn, paving the way for your musical aspirations.
Grab your acoustic or electric guitar and dive into these beginner-friendly songs. With the right guidance and a little practice, you’ll be playing these tunes in no time.
Why Start With Easy Guitar Songs?
Before we jump into the song list, let’s understand why beginning with easier songs is crucial for new guitarists:
- Builds Confidence: Successfully learning a complete song, even a simple one, provides a massive confidence boost. This early success is vital for staying motivated and continuing your learning journey.
- Develops Fundamental Skills: Easy songs often focus on basic chords and strumming patterns. Mastering these fundamentals is essential before tackling more complex techniques. You’ll learn chord transitions, rhythm, and timing – the building blocks of guitar playing.
- Makes Learning Fun and Engaging: Learning songs you love keeps the practice process enjoyable. Instead of tedious exercises, you’re working towards playing recognizable music, which is inherently rewarding.
- Faster Progress: Easy songs allow you to see quicker progress. This immediate gratification encourages you to practice more and stick with it, leading to faster overall improvement.
- Familiarity Breeds Fluency: Learning songs you know well helps your ear train alongside your hands. You’ll develop a better sense of timing and rhythm as you learn to replicate familiar melodies.
Top Beginner-Friendly Songs to Learn on Guitar
Here’s a curated list of easy songs perfect for beginner guitarists. These songs are popular, recognizable, and utilize simple chord progressions and strumming patterns, making them ideal for your first steps in guitar playing.
1. J Mascis – “Feel The Pain”
Inspired by the iconic sounds of Black Sabbath, J Mascis and Dinosaur Jr. crafted a unique blend of punk, rock, and alternative. “Feel The Pain” is a great entry point into their catalog. Its straightforward structure and chord progression make it surprisingly accessible for beginners eager to explore rock music.
Learn how to play “Feel The Pain” here.
2. Oasis – “Wonderwall”
“Wonderwall,” from Oasis’s seminal album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, became an anthem for a generation. This song is practically synonymous with “easy guitar songs” for a reason. Its simple chord progression and strumming pattern have made it a go-to for beginners worldwide, and a staple around campfires and casual jam sessions.
Learn how to play “Wonderwall” here.
3. The Bobby Fuller Four – “I Fought the Law”
Written by Sonny Curtis of The Crickets, “I Fought the Law” is a rock and roll classic with a rebellious spirit. Made famous by The Bobby Fuller Four and later covered by The Clash, this song’s driving rhythm and simple chord structure make it a fun and easy song to learn. The straightforward strumming pattern is perfect for developing your rhythm hand.
Learn how to play “I Fought the Law” here.
4. Carrie Underwood – “Blown Away”
Carrie Underwood has solidified her place as a modern “Queen of Country” with her powerful vocals and contemporary country songwriting. “Blown Away,” a chart-topping hit, is surprisingly beginner-friendly. With a repeating chord progression, you can quickly master this Grammy-winning song and impress your friends with a contemporary country tune.
Learn how to play “Blown Away” here.
5. Lukas Graham – “7 Years”
Danish pop band Lukas Graham achieved global success with “7 Years,” a soulful and reflective hit. This song, with its poignant lyrics and catchy melody, is built upon a simple chord structure that repeats throughout. Learning “7 Years” is a great way to explore contemporary pop music on the guitar.
Learn how to play “7 Years” here.
6. Brad Paisley – “He Didn’t Have to Be”
Brad Paisley, a master of the Telecaster, is known for shaping the modern country sound. “He Didn’t Have to Be,” his first No. 1 hit, is a gentle and heartwarming song perfect for beginner guitarists. Its relaxed tempo and straightforward chords make it excellent for practicing smooth chord changes and developing your strumming technique.
Learn how to play “He Didn’t Have to Be” here.
7. The Rolling Stones – “Honky Tonk Women”
“Honky Tonk Women” by The Rolling Stones is a quintessential rock anthem that blends hard rock energy with country twang. This iconic track, driven by the G chord, is immediately recognizable and fun to play. You’ll learn the intro riff, verse, and chorus, all while solidifying your G chord and basic strumming.
Learn how to play “Honky Tonk Women” here.
8. Joni Mitchell – “Big Yellow Taxi”
Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” is a folk-pop classic with an important environmental message. Written in Hawaii, the song’s catchy melody and simple, repetitive chord progression make it a delightful and easy song to learn on guitar. It’s a great introduction to folk music and fingerpicking patterns (though strumming works just as well for beginners).
Learn how to play “Big Yellow Taxi” here.
9. Buddy Holly – “Not Fade Away”
Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away,” a rock and roll staple from the 1950s, is characterized by its infectious rhythm and simple structure. With just three major chords (E, A, and D), this song is incredibly accessible for beginners. You can start with basic down strums and gradually work towards a more percussive alternate strum as your skills develop.
Learn how to play “Not Fade Away.”
10. Leonard Cohen – “Hallelujah”
Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is a timeless ballad, renowned for its profound lyrics and haunting melody. Famously covered by Jeff Buckley, the song, in its basic form, utilizes a relatively simple chord progression that, while slightly more complex than some beginner songs, is still manageable with practice, and incredibly rewarding to learn.
Learn how to play “Hallelujah” here.
11. Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Bad Moon Rising”
Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” is a classic rock anthem with a deceptively upbeat sound despite its ominous lyrics. This song is built around a simple three-chord progression (D, A, and G) and a steady strumming pattern. It’s a fantastic song for practicing basic chords and smooth chord transitions.
Learn how to play “Bad Moon Rising” here.
12. Johnny Cash – “Ring of Fire”
“Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash is a country classic with a distinctive mariachi-style trumpet riff (often imitated on guitar). Beyond the iconic intro, the song itself is based on simple chords and a steady, manageable strumming pattern. Learning “Ring of Fire” allows you to explore country music and develop a consistent rhythm.
Learn how to play “Ring of Fire” here.
13. Bob Dylan – “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”
Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” is a folk and rock standard, known for its simple yet powerful message. This song is incredibly easy to learn, often using just G, D, and Am chords (or variations depending on the version). Its slow tempo and repetitive structure make it ideal for beginners to practice chord changes and singing along while playing.
Learn how to play “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” here.
14. Vance Joy – “Riptide”
Vance Joy’s “Riptide” is a contemporary indie-folk hit characterized by its ukulele-driven sound. However, it translates beautifully to guitar and is incredibly beginner-friendly. With a simple four-chord progression and a distinctive strumming pattern, “Riptide” is a fun and modern song to add to your repertoire.
Learn how to play “Riptide” here.
15. The Lumineers – “Ho Hey”
“Ho Hey” by The Lumineers is an infectious folk-pop song that gained massive popularity for its catchy chorus and simple instrumentation. This song is built around a very basic chord progression and a straightforward strumming pattern, making it an almost instant win for beginner guitarists. Its sing-along quality makes practice even more enjoyable.
Learn how to play “Ho Hey” here.
Tips for Beginner Guitarists Learning Songs
Learning songs is a rewarding part of the guitar journey. Here are a few tips to help you along the way:
- Start Slow: Don’t rush. Focus on clean chord changes and accurate strumming at a slower tempo. Speed will come with practice.
- Practice Chord Transitions: Smooth transitions between chords are key. Practice moving between the chords in your chosen song slowly and deliberately until it becomes fluid.
- Use Online Resources: Fender Play (and other online platforms) offer fantastic resources, including video lessons, chord diagrams, and song tutorials specifically designed for beginners.
- Break It Down: Learn the song in sections (verse, chorus, etc.). Master each part before putting it all together.
- Listen Carefully: Pay close attention to the original song. Notice the rhythm, strumming patterns, and how the chords fit together.
- Be Patient and Persistent: Learning guitar takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if it feels challenging at first. Consistent practice is the key to progress.
- Have Fun! Choose songs you genuinely enjoy. The more you love the music, the more motivated you’ll be to learn.
Start Playing Today!
This list of easy guitar songs is your starting point to a world of musical enjoyment. Learning these songs will not only build your skills but also provide you with a repertoire of tunes to play and enjoy. Remember, every guitar master started as a beginner. Embrace the journey, be patient with yourself, and most importantly, have fun making music!
Ready to dive deeper and unlock even more songs and guitar skills? Explore Fender Play for structured lessons, song tutorials, and personalized guidance to take your guitar playing to the next level.
