No matter your musical background or skill level, this song offers something for every acoustic guitar player looking for slow-tempo tunes or starting power chords for the first time. Plus it introduces you to an important technique called raking that will come in handy for fingerpicking more complex songs in future!
An entertaining song featuring an engaging strumming pattern and various mutes. Easy to learn, and perfect for an acoustic guitar!
About A Girl
“About a Girl,” which originally appeared on Nirvana’s unfinished first draft grunge album Bleach, became even more beloved after an intimate live acoustic version was recorded and released for MTV Unplugged in New York in 1994.
Bully frontwoman Alicia Bognanno has drawn comparisons to Kurt Cobain since their 2015 debut, and their version of “About A Girl” should definitely be checked out.
Disarm
Like the saying goes, all it takes to tell a good tale is three chords and some truth – which certainly applies in this emotional ballad from Nirvana.
However, these chords easily translate to guitar for beginners and should be easy for newcomers to pick up. The only complicated part may be figuring out the Bm barre chord; otherwise it should all come easily!
Two Steps Behind
Michael Kamen made this acoustic rendition of Two Steps Behind for Last Action Hero by making some adjustments and adding strings, featuring an extremely simple strum pattern which repeats several times throughout.
Focus on down-strums for this song and try playing the intro lick if possible; it will give your strumming accuracy an invaluable chance to shine! This song provides an ideal opportunity to practice strumming with consistency and accuracy.
Run-Around
This song provides an ideal way to practice down-strumming, with its memorable intro lick being especially helpful. Simply place an Em7 chord between two or three verses on your pinky finger for this cool effect.
Blues Traveler excels at crafting songs with emotive vocals and drumming that deliver emotional stories through guitar chord progression.
Sweet Home Alabama
This lovely country rock song offers an engaging rhythm for beginners to play, using three of the most common open chords – making it easier for them to master this piece.
This classic Lynyrd Skynyrd tune is an excellent starting point for beginner guitarists. Featuring an easy down-strum pattern and slow tempo that won’t strain wrists, as well as some strumming techniques which can expand beginner guitarists’ skill set, this song provides the ideal way for them to learn.
Wild Horses
This song’s riff is similar to Europe’s “The Final Countdown.” Additionally, this can serve as an excellent opportunity to practice basic strumming patterns.
Once you know the open G chord, this acoustic classic can be easily learned. It provides an ideal opportunity to practice both down-strumming and picking techniques simultaneously and consistently throughout its entirety.
And It Stoned Me
Van Morrison sings about the impact that feeling at home has on us; whether that is in terms of physical location or state-of-mind. This song makes an excellent way to practice down-strumming or chord progressions if playing chorded guitar; be patient when practicing chords! Practice slowly and carefully!
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
Good Riddance, as the most delicate and reflective track on Nimrod, showcases Abrams at her most vulnerable. The lyrics are emotional yet delicately beautiful while production offers delicate yet stunning details.
Green Day’s acoustic ballad was an unexpected departure from their signature punk sound, prompting some fans to express displeasure with them for abandoning this style. Yet many found enjoyment from it.
The lick begins on the second fret and is repeated multiple times.
Sweet Jane
Lou Reed of Velvet Underground fame composed this song to explore what life might be like as a rock star. He included it in both of his live sets as well as albums like Live at Max’s Kansas City and Rock n Roll Animal.
Some interpret the song’s central theme to be drugs; its lyrics refer sarcastically to sweet jane as marijuana slang. Others see it as a subtle allusion to Andy Warhol and see its lyrics as an allusion.
Have You Ever Seen The Rain?
Creedence Clearwater Revival were one of the most acclaimed bands in rock & roll during their heyday in the 70s, yet their iconic hit “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?” came at a time of internal conflict for them at what should have been an auspicious time in their history.
John Fogerty wrote this song about the dissolving bond within his band when they had achieved great success and their egos began clashing at its pinnacle of success.