Taylor Swift is one of the biggest pop music stars today, known for her infectiously catchy hits that are easy to play on a guitar.
Taylor’s songs often consist of simple open chords that translate easily onto an acoustic guitar, giving guitarists ample room for creative flourishes like strumming patterns and arpeggios.
Back to December
Back to December is an emotive ballad about regret and longing, widely seen as an apology to Taylor Lautner (of Twilight fame) for their relationship that ended tragically.
This song from Taylor Swift stands out from her catalog with its more electronic, less country vibe and consistent beats and chord progression. For beginners looking to start learning to play Taylor’s music, this is an ideal starting point.
Taylor’s 2020 Folklore release offers another excellent choice for beginners. This melancholic track features a straightforward chord progression and can even be played without needing a capo!
Fearless
Fearless from Taylor Swift’s Red album is another excellent Taylor Swift guitar tune to learn, featuring only four chords – making it suitable for most players without needing capo tuning or special tuning for it.
Taylor’s balladesque “This Is Me” is one of her more subdued songs and makes for an excellent introduction to guitar playing, as it offers both emotion and catchiness in one package. Additionally, its unique chord voicing and strumming patterns provide plenty of material for exploration! It makes an enjoyable learning experience for players of any instrument!
Wildest Dreams
Taylor has written many subdued and balladesque songs that work well as introductions for beginners, with this one having some interesting chord voicings that provide excellent chordal practice without needing a capo or open positions on an acoustic guitar.
This song explores a relationship she knows will end badly, yet continues to fantasize about. This theme fits with her 1989 themes of doomed relationships – she starts new ones knowing they won’t last.
This song serves as an early tribute to her Pennsylvania roots.
Evermore
Taylor’s Red album features this more complex acoustic track from her Red album that includes multiple chords and an irregular time signature, but is still manageable on an acoustic guitar.
Taylor often draws upon this theme of someone being hurt and finding new hope after losing it in her songs, and this song adds another facet with its narration tone. For beginners looking to start strumming, this song makes an ideal introduction. With easy chords and an uncomplicated strumming pattern it makes learning this song simple!
Red
Taylor Swift’s popular single from her Red album features basic open chord strummed chords that make this tune easier than most for new guitarists to learn and master; more advanced guitarists may wish to add strumming patterns or arpeggiations for added flavor!
This acoustic folk-pop ballad, written and performed in collaboration with Ed Sheeran, became an immediate success upon its initial release. While critics only gave middling reviews for it, learning this song will introduce you to some unique chord voicing and strumming patterns.
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
Taylor’s signature tune, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together is an upbeat pop tune with a playful spirit. Using cool staccato rhythms and some fun staccato effects, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together is an ideal song to learn if you’re interested in picking up an acoustic guitar for yourself.
The chord progression in this piece should not present too many difficulties for beginning guitarists, making learning it relatively straightforward. Furthermore, its strumming pattern adds an enjoyable element that’s well worth taking the time to learn as well.
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together is an easy guitar song to add to your repertoire, suitable for both acoustic and electric instruments.
Love Story
If you’re new to guitar, “Love Story” from Taylor Swift’s Red album may be an easy and accessible choice for beginners. This ballad depicting her experience of heartbreak boasts simple open chords which provide plenty of opportunities for growth as a guitarist.
This Taylor Swift track explores her feelings following a recent relationship break-up, while also showing how simple open chords can create immense emotion in songs.
This song’s music video showcases her and her former flame in an elegant period-piece scene, drawing from different historical eras for inspiration. It’s visually beautiful yet emotive piece.