Learning to play guitar is an exciting journey, and diving into rock music can make it even more fun. For beginners, starting with easy songs is key to building confidence and skills. Many iconic rock tracks are surprisingly simple to learn on guitar, focusing on basic chords and rhythms that are perfect for new players. This curated list of easy rock songs is drawn from classics and indie gems, offering a fantastic starting point for your guitar playing adventure.
Dive into These Beginner-Friendly Rock Tracks
Starting your guitar journey with rock music doesn’t have to be daunting. Many popular rock songs rely on simple chord progressions and repetitive structures, making them ideal for beginners to learn and master. Here are some excellent choices that are both fun to play and will help you develop essential guitar skills.
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Modest Mouse – A Life of Arctic Sounds
Modest Mouse, known for their indie rock sound, offers several accessible songs for guitar learners. “A Life of Arctic Sounds” is a great example, with its straightforward guitar parts that focus on timing and tone. The song’s structure is relatively simple, making it easy to follow along and play.
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Modest Mouse – Heart Cooks Brain
Another fantastic track from Modest Mouse, “Heart Cooks Brain,” continues with the band’s accessible guitar work. This song is excellent for practicing left-hand independence and developing a feel for indie rock rhythms. Its catchy riffs and relatively easy chord changes make it a rewarding song for beginners to tackle.
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Modest Mouse – The Ocean Breathes Salty
Completing the Modest Mouse trio, “The Ocean Breathes Salty” is another gem for beginner guitarists. Like their other songs, it maintains a level of simplicity that’s perfect for learning, while still being engaging and musically rich. This track is great for solidifying your understanding of basic guitar techniques within a popular rock context.
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The Strokes – The Modern Age
Moving into the realm of garage rock revival, The Strokes offer a treasure trove of easy guitar songs. “The Modern Age,” from their iconic album “Is This It,” is a prime example. In fact, most songs from both “Is This It” and “Room on Fire” albums are incredibly beginner-friendly, characterized by simple, catchy riffs and chord progressions.
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The Strokes – Someday
“Someday,” another hit from The Strokes, reinforces their status as a great band for beginner guitarists. This song features straightforward chord structures and iconic guitar riffs that are both recognizable and easy to learn. It’s a perfect track for building your repertoire of recognizable rock songs.
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The White Stripes – The Air Near My Fingers
The White Stripes are renowned for their raw and minimalist rock sound, which translates beautifully to beginner guitar playing. In reality, almost everything The White Stripes have created is perfect for guitarists just starting out. “The Air Near My Fingers” is a fantastic entry point into their catalog, showcasing simple yet powerful guitar riffs.
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Rage Against the Machine – Guerilla Radio
For those wanting to add a bit of edge to their beginner practice, Rage Against the Machine’s “Guerilla Radio” is an excellent, albeit slightly more challenging, choice. While it’s more rhythmically driven, the core guitar parts are manageable for beginners ready to expand their skills with some funk-rock influence and power chords.
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Grandaddy – Hewlett’s Daughter
Grandaddy, with their lo-fi indie rock, offers “Hewlett’s Daughter,” a song that is melodically rich yet structurally simple. This track is great for beginners looking to explore slightly more nuanced melodies while still working within a comfortable skill range. It’s a good bridge to more complex indie rock.
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Placebo – Pure Morning
Placebo’s “Pure Morning” brings a touch of alternative rock to the list. This song is known for its distinctive guitar riff, which, while iconic, is also quite approachable for beginner guitarists. Learning “Pure Morning” can be a great way to explore different rock subgenres and riff-based playing.
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The Shins – So Says I
Concluding the list is The Shins with “So Says I,” an indie pop-rock track with catchy guitar melodies that are easy to pick up. This song is perfect for practicing strumming patterns and transitioning between chords smoothly. It’s a fun and upbeat song to add to your beginner repertoire.
Start Rocking Today
These songs are not only easy to learn but also incredibly enjoyable to play. They offer a fantastic foundation for any aspiring guitarist looking to delve into rock music. So grab your guitar, tune up, and start learning these easy rock songs to kickstart your musical journey!
