Learning a new instrument can be daunting, and if you are playing music that is too challenging, it is easy to get discouraged and give up practicing. So, it is vital to your continued musical development that you set yourself up for success with your guitar skills. Read on to discover 10 easy guitar songs for beginners.
- “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles
The Beatles produced many songs great for beginners. “Twist and Shout” fits that description because it has simple, open chords for most of the song. The majority of this tune consists of G, D, and A chords. You can also add a bit of complexity to this song if you want more of a challenge.
- “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen
This poignant folk rock tune was written and performed by Leonard Cohen for the first time in 1984. The song, inspired partly by biblical stories, is a popular choice for covers.
“Hallelujah” is a beautiful and simple song. Since it is fairly slow, you can perform it at your own pace and comfortably play the five chords in the song. Use G, Em, C, D, and B7 to develop your muscle memory. On top of its playability, this song is ideal to play with others as a beginner, since most people know it.
- “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus
“Old Town Road” is a 2019 remix by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus. It falls into the country rap genre, and went viral on social media platforms, including TikTok.
Since this song is originally played with a capo, it offers you the perfect opportunity to learn how to use one easily. In particular, you can familiarize yourself with E, G, D, and A chords. With the use of a capo, the notes used may change.
- “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton released “Wonderful Tonight” on his 1977 album, Slowhand. The ballad fits into the soft rock or yacht rock genre. This song did very well on international billboard charts when it was first released.
This memorable song is easy to learn and easier to remember since the lead line is quite catchy. This song includes G, D/F#, C, D, and Em. “Wonderful Tonight” offers the opportunity to practice different skills, including finger dexterity and string bending.
- “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes
“Seven Nation Army” is a single from The White Stripes’ fourth studio album, Elephant, released in 2003. This song did well on international charts and was a breakout hit for the duo behind it.
Not only is “Seven Nation Army” an easy-to-remember tune and a popular sports anthem, but it is also simple to play. You can play it all on the fifth string, and the entire main riff is just seven notes. This song includes Em, G, C, B, A, Am, and E chords.
- “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
“Stand By Me” was originally a single on Ben E. King’s 1961 album, Don’t Play That Song! It is inspired by the spiritual, “Stand by Me Father.” There are more than 400 other recordings of this song, with some of the most notable covers being by John Lennon, Florence, and the Machine, and Otis Redding.
This song is an ideal choice for novices because it is easy enough for a beginner, but with enough complexity that it is engaging. When learning this tune, you will get to practice the G, Em, C, and D chords and some rapid changes.
- “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan
“Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” was recorded by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the movie “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.” It was released in 1973 and is in the folk-rock genre.
Since “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is such a well-known song, many find it easy to pick up despite its five chords. These chords are not particularly difficult, but the amount is more than many of the other entries on this list. This track will help you learn the G, D, C, Am7, and Am chords.
- “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley
Bob Marley recorded “Three Little Birds” on his 1977 album Exodus. It is a roots reggae song and is one of Marley’s most popular tracks. Several artists have covered the single, including Conny Talbot, Maroon 5, and Marley’s son, Ziggy.
This simple, but fun song allows you to practice the vital A, D, and E chords without posing a serious challenge. So, you can practice singing and playing at the same time if that is of interest to you.
- “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
“Bad Moon Rising” was the lead single from the 1969 album Green River. It reached number two on the Billboard charts and has been recorded by many other artists in numerous genres.
This is an ideal choice when it comes to easy guitar songs if you want to improve your speed as you change from chord to chord. It is straightforward to focus on speed since there are only three chords that you change between. “Bad Moon Rising” is another example of a song that uses D, A, and G.
- “Zombie” by The Cranberries
“Zombie” is a single protest song from the Cranberries’ 1994 album, No Need to Argue. This song topped many international charts, including those in Iceland, France, Denmark, Germany, and Australia.
It is an easy guitar song for beginners to learn. The only chords are E minor, C, G, and D/F sharp. While these are more complicated than others with open chords, the repetition greatly simplifies this song.
Final Thoughts
So, the next time you feel overwhelmed by your guitar practice, pick up one of these songs to develop your skills. Practice some or all of the entries on this list to create a foundation for your repertoire. Soon you will be ready to perform or play with others. At the very least, with the proper practice of these easy guitar songs, you can graduate to an intermediate level.
