Chords form the backbone of music. While certain chords may be more ubiquitous than others, many songs follow similar progressions when it comes to chords.
This beginner level piece involves strumming simple open chords. It provides a great opportunity for developing finger dexterity and learning how to switch chords quickly.
Perfect by Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran has become one of the world’s most beloved singer-songwriters, known for creating songs across many genres and playing guitar expertly himself. Heeran’s influence has inspired many musicians to learn the instrument; his songs provide excellent training grounds for beginner guitarists.
One of Sheeran’s best-known songs, Perfect, released in 2017 has become an international smash hit and reached number one in several countries across the globe including the US, UK, Australia and more. Additionally, several artists such as Foy Vance and Andrea Bocelli have covered it.
This song is an intermediate-level guitar song that requires a capo on the first fret for performance. Composed of simple chord progressions and strumming patterns, using this song as an effective practice tool will allow you to sharpen up on chording skills while expanding your repertoire – this beautiful song will lift your spirits!
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Wish You Were Here was born during one of Pink Floyd’s most unorthodox sessions ever, coming on the heels of Dark Side of the Moon’s immense success and feeling distant from their work.
This song begins with an atmospheric radio shuffle before transitioning into Gilmour’s twelve string acoustic guitar playing a beautiful melodic line. The band strives to provide listeners with an experience rather than simply another album of songs.
Strumming patterns are fairly easy to learn, but you must avoid making it sound monotonous by sticking with just one pattern. FATpick’s interactive tab can provide valuable feedback on accuracy and timing – great way to hone guitar playing skills while becoming comfortable playing songs without beats!
What’s Up? by 4 Non Blondes
4 Non Blondes’ debut single earned them significant commercial exposure, becoming one of their best one-hit wonder songs and an audience favorite. Guitar parts work well across both electric and acoustic guitar, though ideally you will use a capo on the second fret to play this song if possible – otherwise try strumming pattern voicings that strengthen dexterity by training right arm muscle groups!
John Mayer is well known for his technical skill and emotive phrasing, but this song from him can be much easier for beginners as you’re playing open chords at this tempo rather than chord voicings; you will also practice multi-stringed playing as different fingers are placed on different strings which is an invaluable lesson to gain as a beginning guitarist.
Wish You Were Here by Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran is one of today’s foremost guitar icons and his music offers beginner guitarists plenty of opportunities for getting started easily. His songs feature folk influences with open chords to ease beginners in. If you want an added challenge, play along with a band or try singing it!
This song is about a man lamenting the loss of someone special to him or her, with an acoustic guitar providing an emotive accompaniment. This piece can bring comfort and strength for anyone experiencing grief over loss, as well as providing some much-needed uplift in any given moment. Play it for someone who needs it or even as part of an uplifting session!
Everlong by Foo Fighters is another widely popular song, typically played on electric guitar, though you can use power chords to give it more driving feel acoustically and use this opportunity to practice both your open chords and strumming pattern.