Learning guitar can feel overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t have to be! One of the most effective and fun ways to begin your guitar journey is by exploring Single String Guitar Songs. These simplified melodies, played on just one string, are perfect for developing essential skills and building confidence on the instrument.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to 10 fantastic single string guitar songs that are not only easy to learn but also sound surprisingly impressive. Get ready to improve your finger dexterity, technique, and musical repertoire, all while having a blast playing some well-known tunes.
Why Start With Single String Guitar Songs?
Beginning guitarists often face a steep learning curve. Coordinating both hands, learning chords, and strumming patterns can be a lot to handle at once. Single string guitar songs offer a brilliant solution by simplifying the process.
Here’s why focusing on single string melodies is beneficial for beginners:
- Develop Dexterity: Playing melodies on a single string helps you train your fretting hand fingers to move accurately and efficiently.
- Improve Technique: You’ll start to develop essential picking or fingerstyle techniques without the complexity of chords.
- Build a Repertoire Quickly: Learning recognizable songs early on is incredibly motivating and keeps you engaged in your practice.
- Focus on Melody: Understanding melody is fundamental to music. Single string songs allow you to concentrate on pitch and rhythm without chord distractions.
- Have Fun Immediately: Playing songs you know and love, even in a simplified form, makes learning guitar enjoyable from day one.
Before diving into the songs, make sure your guitar is in tune! A tuner is an indispensable tool for any guitarist, especially beginners. Clip-on tuners are highly recommended for their ease of use and accuracy.
Understanding Guitar Tablature for Single String Songs
To learn these single string guitar songs, we’ll be using guitar tablature, or “tab.” Tab is a simple and intuitive way to read music for guitar, especially for melodies.
In tablature:
- Each horizontal line represents a guitar string. The bottom line is the thickest string (E string), and the top line is the thinnest (high E string).
- Numbers on the lines indicate the fret to be played on that string. “0” means an open string (played without pressing down any frets).
If you’re completely new to tab, take a moment to familiarize yourself with a basic guide on reading guitar tabs. This knowledge will unlock a vast library of songs for you to learn.
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10 Must-Know Single String Guitar Songs
Let’s get to the music! Here are 10 popular songs that sound fantastic on a single guitar string and are perfect for beginners:
1. “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes
This iconic riff is often the first song that comes to mind when thinking about single string guitar songs. Instantly recognizable and incredibly simple to play, “Seven Nation Army” is a must-learn.
You’ll be playing the famous bass line intro, which essentially forms the song’s structure. Only one string and one finger are needed to master this tune.
Take your time to learn the tab and focus on the rhythm. The spaces between the notes are just as important as the notes themselves!
2. “Running Down a Dream” by Tom Petty
Tom Petty’s “Running Down a Dream” intro riff is another classic that translates beautifully to a single string guitar song. It’s a bit faster than “Seven Nation Army,” so it might require a little more practice.
This riff appears in the intro and throughout the song. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t play it at full speed right away. Start slowly and gradually increase your tempo as you become comfortable.
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Pro Tip: While downstrokes are common for beginners, try to incorporate alternate picking (down-up strokes) to improve your picking technique for faster melodies like this one.
3. “Sunshine of Your Love” by Cream
“Sunshine of Your Love” by Cream is a quintessential rock riff that’s surprisingly easy to play as a single string guitar song. This riff uses the blues scale, but for now, just focus on enjoying this classic rock anthem.
The timing can be a bit tricky for beginners, so listen to the original recording carefully. Practice slowly, focusing on accuracy, and gradually increase the speed.
Pro Tip: Experiment with different guitar picks. A good pick can significantly impact your tone and playing comfort. For beginners, Dunlop 1mm Nylon Max-Grip picks are highly recommended.
4. “Smoke On the Water” by Deep Purple
“Smoke On the Water” is arguably the quintessential beginner guitar riff and a staple in single string guitar songs. For generations, aspiring guitarists have started their journey with this heavy rock classic.
While the original riff uses two strings, playing it on just the G string simplifies it perfectly for beginners. For an extra challenge later on, you can try playing it on both the G and D strings simultaneously.
5. “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC
For a slightly more challenging but incredibly rewarding single string guitar song, try the intro riff of “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. This electrifying riff is a true test of dexterity and timing.
Focus on the first part of the intro riff to begin with. Angus Young famously plays this riff without a pick, but practicing with alternate picking is excellent for developing your technique. Keep your picking hand movements small and controlled.
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Pro-tip: Difficult riffs like “Thunderstruck” are fantastic exercises for building coordination between your fretting and picking hands. Practice slowly and deliberately.
6. “Mamma Mia” by ABBA
Moving away from riffs, “Mamma Mia” by ABBA offers a chance to play a well-known melody as a single string guitar song. You’ll be learning the chorus melody of this timeless pop hit.
“Mamma Mia” has enjoyed enduring popularity through musicals and films, making it a crowd-pleasing song to learn.
Top Tip! Playing single string guitar songs helps you understand how pitch changes on the guitar. Moving towards the guitar’s body (soundhole) increases the pitch, while moving towards the headstock lowers it.
7. “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” is a beautiful ballad with a memorable chorus melody, making it a great addition to your collection of single string guitar songs.
You’ll be playing the chorus melody. The original song is in a guitar-unfriendly key (Ab), but you can easily play it on the G string. If you want to play along with the recording, you can use a capo on the first fret.
Simplicity is key to a catchy melody. The main melody of “Perfect” is quite straightforward and repetitive, making it easy to learn and remember.
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8. The Office (US) Theme Song
The theme song from the US version of “The Office” is a catchy and recognizable tune that works well as a single string guitar song.
This theme melody moves around the G string a bit more, making it slightly more challenging than some of the previous songs, but still very manageable for beginners.
Pro Tip! For melodies with quick note changes, try using multiple fingers on your fretting hand to minimize hand movement. This makes playing faster passages much easier.
9. “How Far I’ll Go” by Auli’i Cravalho (Moana)
“How Far I’ll Go” from the movie “Moana” is a fantastic song written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. This uplifting and popular tune fits perfectly into your set of single string guitar songs.
This melody is played on the high E string. The notes come a little quickly, so try using your first and third fingers to play the 2nd and 4th frets respectively. This song is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, especially with younger audiences!
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10. “Game of Thrones” Theme Song by Ramin Djawadi
For a dramatic and recognizable single string guitar song, look no further than the “Game of Thrones” theme. Composed by Ramin Djawadi, this theme is known for its melancholic and powerful melody.
This melody moves quickly across the fretboard, so take your time and practice it slowly at first.
Fun Theory Tip! The “Game of Thrones” theme is in a minor key, which often conveys a sense of sadness or melancholy. Understanding minor keys and scales will deepen your musical understanding.
Many guitarists tend to underutilize their pinky finger (fourth finger). However, try to involve your fourth finger when playing melodies like this to improve your overall fretting hand dexterity.
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What’s Next After Single String Guitar Songs?
Congratulations on learning these single string guitar songs! Some of these tunes are more challenging than others, so be patient with yourself as you learn.
If you’ve enjoyed this introduction to melody and want to expand your guitar skills further, consider exploring these next steps:
- Learn Basic Chords: Once you’re comfortable with single string melodies, start learning fundamental guitar chords. This will open up a whole new world of songs.
- Explore Strumming Patterns: Combine chords with strumming patterns to play rhythm guitar and accompany yourself or others.
- Dive into Scales and Intervals: Understanding scales and intervals will deepen your knowledge of melody and harmony, allowing you to create your own music and improvise.
Recommended Resources:
- How To Read Guitar Tabs
- Alternate Picking: The Ultimate Guide
- Blues Scale – 4 Things You Need To Know
- How To Use A Capo In 3 Easy Steps
- 10 Easy Songs For Beginners
Learning single string guitar songs is a fantastic starting point for any aspiring guitarist. It’s a fun, effective, and rewarding way to begin your musical journey. So grab your guitar, learn these tunes, and enjoy the process of making music!
