Beginner guitarists will find these songs perfect for practicing chord progressions and fingerwork on F and G chords. The Lumineers make great use of four chords in their hit “Ho Hey,” making this an ideal practice track.
Learning beginner guitar chords will enable you to play along with many of your favorite songs. Though memorizing them may take some time, the effort will certainly pay off!
1. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sweet Home Alabama is an iconic rock song every guitarist should master. Using simple chord progressions and a straightforward strumming pattern, Sweet Home Alabama makes an excellent way to break into guitar playing for beginners.
This song’s guitar riff is simple to learn and has become an iconic motif among music enthusiasts. Written originally by Ronnie Van Zant in response to Neil Young’s songs about Alabama and South Carolina that criticize their racist pasts.
2. “Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones
This classic country song employs a straightforward three-chord progression, making it suitable for beginners. The chords used are G, C and D – originally written by Gram Parsons who performed it alongside his Flying Burrito Brothers band.
Grateful Dead’s song, “What I Got”, uses an easy four-chord progression, making it ideal for practicing strumming techniques and quickly switching chords.
3. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan
This classic folk song is an entertaining way for beginners to learn guitar chords songs. Using multiple chords, this upbeat version can get people dancing!
Nirvana’s song is an ideal first step song for beginners – only having four chords but offering up an uptempo tune that helps build speed and provides ample practice using slash chords (chords with an “S” on their front), making this one perfect.
4. “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Tom Petty
This song can be sung along to, making it an excellent starting point for beginning guitar players. It introduces G, C and D chords as well as “slash” chords (those marked with an “/”) which combine root notes with another note in bass position.
Ed Sheeran’s slow love song provides an ideal way to practice playing these five essential chords consecutively and easily strum them, an essential skill when learning guitar.
5. “Wonderwall” by Oasis
Oasis’ hit “Wonderwall” would make any list of easy guitar songs complete, marking its place at the core of Britpop era with only three chords and an intricate staccato-style strumming pattern to master.
Tom Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” provides an ideal opportunity to practice using barre chords. Additionally, the Lumineers’ “Ho Hey” offers an easy and accessible opportunity to experiment with open chords and strum patterns.
6. “When I Come Around” by Green Day
This popular Green Day tune makes an excellent acoustic guitar tune for beginners, using only five open chords with an easy strumming pattern to learn quickly.
Blind Melon’s “No Rain,” from the 1990s alternative and grunge boom era, features four chords with an E7 added for added embellishment.
An iconic riff that anyone should recognize. It uses D, C and G open chord shapes so it provides a great opportunity for practice.
7. “Buddy Holly” by Weezer
This song by Weezer is an enjoyable one to learn, requiring only three chords and an easy strumming pattern for beginners to grasp. Perfect for parties and get-togethers because its familiar melody will instantly connect with listeners!
This uptempo song is easy to play and will impress a crowd. Additionally, it gives players an opportunity to practice a G/B chord – that is a G chord with a B in place of an A in its bass register – without feeling intimidated by playing solo.
8. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl is another fantastic song for beginners to learn, with only two chords (G and C) required to strum along to this crowd-pleaser. Beginner guitarists can find this an easy track to pick up quickly.
This relaxing tune features an easy progression of G, Cadd9 and D which makes it suitable for anyone learning guitar. Add in an Em power chord if you want something a bit different!