Mariah Carey’s tribute to her mother and family features easy chord progressions that even beginners can easily learn and play, making this ballad ideal for listening or performing live.
This song uses five simple chords with different strumming patterns to provide enough variation. Add in some percussion elements for even greater interest! Certainly worth learning.
I Have a Dream
Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech delivered at Washington DC’s Lincoln Memorial during a civil rights march on August 28, 1963 was an act of freedom and equality, marking one of the highlights of civil rights history, making an indelible mark on America. Today it remains one of its most notable speeches ever given in its entirety.
This song is easy to play, using right hand palm-muting techniques for that signature rock guitar sound. Just strum through its first couple of sections until verse comes in; when verse begins you should switch up your playing technique by fuller strummings.
For optimal practice with this chord chart, focus on down strums with an eighth-note rhythm.
Rolling in the Deep
Adele’s 21 album produced a track called “Hello”, which became an international success and saw Adele rise to stardom worldwide. Critics also applauded its production and lyrics as an artistic achievement.
“Rolling in the deep” is both an allegory and an expression of powerful emotion, suggesting that singer is filled with strong vengeful feelings against former lovers.
The song requires only three open chords for beginners to learn easily, making it ideal for new guitarists just starting out. Played at 103 beats per minute (Andante), its simple strumming pattern will quickly be grasped.
I’ll Be There
This song’s lyrics address unconditional love. The singer of this tune assures their partner that no matter what comes their way, they’ll always be there for them no matter what may come their way. Michael Jackson made this tune popular throughout his career. It remains one of his most well-known tracks today.
Endless love may not always be good, as this haunting country song by Gary Nichols of SteelDrivers proves. His dramatic vocal performance delivers its haunted melody with intensity reminiscent of bluegrass hellraising.
To create the desired sound for this song, I recommend employing power chords without the 3rd fret and palm muting techniques to produce deep percussive tones – perfect for this style of tune! Just be sure to count out loud every time you strum!
Don’t Stop Believing
Many popular songs feature four-chord progressions, like this Journey song. But with its intricate barre chords that may make playing it challenging for beginning guitarists – but don’t worry; our tutorial and tabs will show you how to simplify it!
Where Is The Love? by Black Eyed Peas is another iconic four chord song from 2013. This powerful tune addresses discrimination, hatred and inequality with powerful lyrics about injustice that makes listeners demand change. Additionally, its catchy bass line and unique drumbeat will add funky elements to any music. Plus its chords are conventional and straightforward – no wonder Charlize Theron roller skated to it in Monster; or why its use as the soundtrack of a diner scene in The Sopranos made headlines!
I’m Not Alone
This song is simple to play and features an accessible, acoustic riff – making it the ideal choice for beginner guitarists or anyone wanting to quickly learn how to play songs without difficulty.
E Minor is a key that offers many popular chords for electric and acoustic guitar players, and these power chords (commonly referred to as 5th chords) omit the third interval of each scale degree – thus eliminating their third intervals altogether.
Beginner guitarists should start out strumming the bottom two or three strings of each chord while keeping to an eighth note beat pattern of down-strums. You may use palm muting (resting the heel of your right hand on the bridge to slightly mute each string) in the early parts of a song; once it reaches “The Scars of Your Love”, begin playing fuller chord sounds.