10 Easy Songs for Guitar Beginners
From being a self taught guitarist to teaching it as a job- believe me when I say I’ve played a lot of songs!
There is literally an unlimited amount of songs you can learn. And while I always advise learning your favourites, playing songs that meet you where you’re at while at the same time build your skillset is important too- especially for those just beginning.
Here are 10 songs that have some of the easiest chord progressions.
Some of these I learned as a beginner myself and some are songs my students enjoy. I teach an age range of 10-70, so it’s an eclectic mix! All of these songs are well known and from various genres. So, hopefully you’ll know most of them- and maybe you’ll even discover a new favourite to play!
CHORDS USED:
SIMPLIFIED CHORDS:
I call these “half chords,” or “mini chords,” because they’re the top half of their full chord counterparts. If you’re finding the C, F or G chords too difficult, start by playing these smaller versions instead. *Remember to only strum the area you’re fretting for these chords. (Mind the x’s at the bottom of the diagrams!)
1 What I Like About You
by the Romantics
Chords: E, A, D, A
E, A, D repeat
2 We Will Rock You
by Queen
Chords: (verse) Em, Em, Em, D
Em, Em, D repeat
(chorus)G, D, Em, C, Em repeat
3 What Makes You Beautiful
by One Direction
Chords: D, G, A, A repeat
4 Sweet Home Alabama
by Lynard Skynard
Chords: D, Cadd9, G, Cadd9, G repeat
5 Free Fallin’
by Tom Petty
Chords: D, G, G, A repeat
6 I’m Yours
by Jason Mraz
Chords: C, G, Am, F repeat
7 The Middle
by Jimmy Eat World
Chords: D, A, G, D repeat
8 Ho Hey
by the Lumineers
Chords: (verse) C, C, C, C, F repeat
(chorus) Am, G, C, C repeat
(bridge) F, F, G, G repeat
9 Shake it Off
by Taylor Swift
Chords: Am, C, G, G repeat
10 All Star
by Smash Mouth
Chords: G, D, Am, C repeat
Try listening to these songs and anticipating the chord changes. You’ll also be able to get a sense of the rhythms that way. Don’t forget to play as slowly as you need to (chord quality before speed!) and start with a simple strum pattern- even if it’s just one strum per barre or chord- then go from there.
And above all, enjoy!
Happy Strumming!
