Beginners might benefit from learning these no capo guitar chords as a first step to learning to play the instrument. Hey Soul Sister has an easy picking pattern and open chords which won’t cause any hassle to beginners.
1. Riptide by Vance Joy
Vance Joy, an Australian troubadour, co-wrote and produced Riptide alongside drummer Edwin White for release in 2013. It quickly became a hit, spending over 100 weeks on Australian charts — breaking Lady Gaga’s previous record set by Poker Face.
Riptide’s lyrics recount a relationship between its singer and an attractive female companion that causes jealousy among his peers. Lyrics such as “I want to be your left-hand man” mean he wants to provide support and assistance for her. This song is ideal for beginners due to its simple chord progression and easy strumming pattern; therefore it makes an excellent learning tool.
2. Hey Soul Sister by Patrick Monahan & Amund Bjorklund
Hey Soul Sister is a song composed by Patrick Monahan and Amund Bjorklund for Train’s album Train that features lamentations about an unfulfilled love relationship.
This song’s acoustic guitar riff is ideal for beginners looking to practice their finger dexterity. Using only open chords, with a simple strumming pattern repeating throughout its entirety.
Happier is another Ed Sheeran tune that is ideal for beginners to learn quickly and play with minimal technical difficulty, using only three open chords and an endlessly repetitive DU DU DU strumming pattern throughout.
3. Wonderwall by Marcos Alberto
This Oasis song is perfect for beginners as it only requires three open chords: E minor, C major and B7 are easy chords for novice players to pick up quickly and the strumming pattern follows an easy D DUDUDU UDU rhythm throughout its entirety.
Ed Sheeran’s hit is another fantastic song for beginner guitarists to learn, as its chord progression and strumming pattern can’t be simpler. Furthermore, its blend of country and pop music make it ideal for novice guitarists.
4. Turn the Page by Bob Seger
This song’s guitar chords are accessible and easy for beginners, though you will require a capo at the fourth fret to play them correctly. This provides an excellent opportunity to practice 12-bar blues comping as well as some fun licks in G key.
The dramatic elements of this song are perfectly captured in its lyrics. Each six-line verse features approximate rhymes for an engaging dialogue tone.
This song explores an old relationship which has now found fulfillment with someone else, making for a beautiful yet relatable piece. Enjoy!
5. Fly Me to the Moon by Bart Howard & Kaye Ballard
Fly Me to the Moon is one of the world’s most beloved songs and makes an ideal choice for learning without using a capo. It features straightforward chord progression and strumming pattern without barre chords – an ideal song for beginning players!
Hey Soul Sister is another hit TikTok song co-written by Train lead singer Patrick Monahan and Amund Bjorklund that’s simple to learn on guitar. This timeless love ballad tells of two individuals desperately in love who try to convince their respective fathers that it would be beneficial for them to marry each other.
6. Love Story by Taylor Swift
Love Story by Taylor Swift is one of her iconic songs that is easy to learn on an acoustic guitar. The chord progression and strumming pattern make learning Love Story straightforward for beginners while helping hone rhythmic skills.
This song tells a poignant love story that is inspired by Taylor’s past love affair with someone. Although her parents advised against it, Taylor maintained her romantic attraction to this individual despite their objections and persisted with their affection for one another despite warnings against such people from them.
7. Havana by Camila Cabello
Havana by Camila Cabello marks her debut single since departing Fifth Harmony and marks her biggest solo hit as an artist.
According to Frank Dukes, Havana was conceptualized during a three-day session between Cabello, Ali Tamposi and its producer. Dukes played her a piano loop featuring a salsa piano riff which inspired Havana.
TikTok sensation that uses open chords and an easy strumming pattern to tell its tale of toxic love that never came to fruition. Perfect for beginner musicians.