Starting your guitar journey with an electric guitar can be incredibly rewarding and fun. Many beginners might think acoustic guitars are the only way to start, but electric guitars offer some distinct advantages, especially when you’re just getting your fingers acquainted with the fretboard. Electric guitars typically have thinner strings, which are much gentler on your fingertips compared to the thicker strings found on acoustic guitars. This can significantly reduce finger pain, a common hurdle for new players. Furthermore, the necks on electric guitars are often slimmer, making them easier to grip, especially for players with smaller hands, allowing for a more comfortable and less strenuous learning experience.
Learning songs is a fantastic way to motivate yourself and develop your skills on the electric guitar. While the world of electric guitar music is vast and varied, there are plenty of songs that are perfect for beginners to tackle. Forget about overly complicated solos and lightning-fast riffs for now. We’ve compiled a list of 10 Easy Electric Guitar Songs that not only sound great but are also achievable for players just starting out. From classic rock anthems to bluesy grooves and reggae rhythms, this list has something to get every beginner excited about playing.
1. Smashing Pumpkins: “Cherub Rock”
Billy Corgan, the mastermind behind Smashing Pumpkins, is known for his ability to blend hard rock intensity with catchy pop melodies. “Cherub Rock,” a hit from their 1993 album Siamese Dream, perfectly exemplifies this. This song is built around a driving rhythm guitar part that’s excellent practice for beginners. Fender Play instructor Matt Lake highlights that “Cherub Rock” is a great tune to learn octave riffs and 16th note strumming, fundamental techniques for rock guitar. It’s a fantastic introduction to alternative rock guitar and a song that sounds impressive even when played simply.
Learn how to play “Cherub Rock” here.
2. Blue Öyster Cult: “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”
“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult, released in 1976, is a classic rock staple with a haunting and memorable vibe. This song is a fantastic choice for beginners looking to expand their technique with arpeggio picking and palm muting. Despite its slightly eerie atmosphere, the guitar parts are surprisingly accessible. Rolling Stone magazine recognized its brilliance by naming it song of the year upon its release, solidifying its place in rock history and making it a rewarding song for beginner electric guitarists to learn.
Learn how to play “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” here.
3. Willie Dixon: “I Can’t Quit You Baby”
“I Can’t Quit You Baby” is a blues standard penned by the legendary Willie Dixon. While Otis Rush first recorded it in 1956, and Led Zeppelin famously covered it, the original blues essence remains strong and accessible for beginners. This song’s beauty lies in its simplicity. Built on just three chords – G, C, and D – it’s an excellent entry point into blues guitar. Fender Play instructor Barrett Wilson expertly guides learners through these chords, making it a perfect first blues song to learn on electric guitar and understand basic blues progressions.
Learn how to play “I Can’t Quit You Baby” here.
4. Black Uhuru: “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”
Dive into the world of reggae with Black Uhuru’s “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” This song is perfect for developing your reggae rhythm guitar skills. The core of reggae guitar is the distinctive backbeat rhythm, and Fender Play instructor Jen Trani breaks down how to master this groove. “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” is hypnotic and groovy, and learning to play it will introduce you to a new genre and rhythmic style, expanding your musical horizons as a beginner electric guitarist.
Learn how to play “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” here.
5. Elmore James: “It Hurts Me Too”
Elmore James, a master of the blues, makes heartbreak sound captivating in “It Hurts Me Too.” This classic blues track utilizes traditional blues chord changes, providing a solid foundation for learning blues guitar vocabulary. Learning the shuffle pattern and mastering downstrums are key elements in this song. “It Hurts Me Too” serves as an excellent doorway into the blues genre, allowing beginners to grasp essential blues rhythms and chord progressions on the electric guitar.
Learn how to play “It Hurts Me Too” here.
6. The Strokes: “Last Nite”
The Strokes revitalized punk and garage rock in the early 2000s with their debut single, “Last Nite.” Its upbeat and danceable rhythm made it a hit, even reaching the top five on the American charts. This song is perfect for beginners wanting to play something energetic and modern. Learning “Last Nite” will familiarize you with chord anticipation and 16th note strumming patterns, techniques that are crucial for playing many popular rock and indie songs on electric guitar.
Learn how to play “Last Nite” here.
7. The Cars: “My Best Friend’s Girl”
The Cars successfully blended easy-to-learn hard rock guitar with new wave synth-pop, and “My Best Friend’s Girl” is a prime example of their catchy and accessible sound. This song relies on a simple three-chord progression, making it incredibly beginner-friendly. Fender Play instructor Matt Lake guides you through these chords, allowing you to easily learn and play a song that brings you back to the iconic sounds of the 1980s. “My Best Friend’s Girl” is a fun and recognizable tune to add to your beginner electric guitar repertoire.
Learn how to play “My Best Friend’s Girl” here.
8. Cracker: “Low”
Cracker’s 1993 hit “Low” is another fantastic song for beginners because it only uses four chords: D, C, E, and G. These are common beginner chords on the guitar, making the song quickly learnable. Fender Play instructor Jen Trani helps you master basic chord switching with a consistent strum pattern in this lesson. “Low” is a great choice for practicing smooth transitions between chords while playing a recognizable and enjoyable alternative rock song on your electric guitar.
Learn how to play “Low” here.
9. Robert Cray: “Smoking Gun”
Robert Cray, a master of the Stratocaster, achieved pop radio success with “Smoking Gun,” which reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This song is built around E minor and A minor chords, two fundamental minor chords for guitarists. Fender Play instructor Akira Harrison demonstrates basic techniques using this blues-infused pop hit. “Smoking Gun” is an excellent choice for beginners to learn minor chords and practice bluesy techniques while playing a well-known and catchy song on electric guitar.
Learn how to play “Smoking Gun” here.
10. The Rolling Stones: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones is instantly recognizable, largely thanks to Keith Richards’ iconic guitar riff. This song perfectly embodies the Rolling Stones’ blend of rock and soul, which solidified their reputation as “the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band in the world.” While the full song has more to it, the main riff itself is surprisingly accessible to beginners and is a cornerstone of rock guitar. Learning to play the “Satisfaction” riff is a rite of passage for any electric guitarist and a fantastic confidence booster for beginners.
Learn how to play “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” here.
Learning these easy electric guitar songs is just the beginning. To unlock even more songs and develop your guitar skills further, consider exploring resources like Fender Play (free trial available). With practice and dedication, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you progress and how much fun learning electric guitar can be. So pick up your electric guitar, choose a song from this list, and start playing today!
