Basic Fingerstyle Guitar Songs: Your Easy Start to Fingerpicking

Learning fingerstyle guitar, often called fingerpicking, can seem like a huge mountain to climb. Watching guitarists like Andy McKee or Tommy Emmanuel on YouTube might leave you thinking it’s beyond your reach. However, like any journey, mastering fingerstyle begins with a single, manageable step.

So, where should you begin?

Choosing Beginner-Friendly Fingerstyle Songs

When you start looking for easy fingerstyle songs or tabs, you’ll quickly notice that the 1960s and 70s were a peak era for this style, thanks to artists like Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, and, of course, The Beatles.

Drawing inspiration from that golden age and including some modern tunes, we’ve put together a list of 10 excellent fingerstyle songs that are:

Perfect for guitarists who are new to fingerstyle, regardless of their overall playing experience.
Easy to learn and widely recognized.
Diverse in genre, showcasing the versatility of fingerstyle.
Frequently recommended as starting points within these genres.

We’ve taken inspiration from resources like reddit, Guitardomination.net, and helpful posts found here and here. If you’re looking for even more ideas, these are great places to explore. You might also find our earlier article on top acoustic guitar songs for beginners useful.

If you’re just starting out with fingerpicking, we highly recommend checking out Don Ross’s “Fingerstyle” Guitar Course*.

He excels at breaking down fundamental fingerpicking techniques – including Travis picking and proper hand positioning – enabling you to learn quickly. Don Ross is known for his patient teaching style and clear presentation.

For those who are completely new to guitar, you might also want to explore this list of songs for absolute beginners.

The Essential Fingerstyle Song List for Beginners

1. Blackbird (The Beatles)

Key of G, melodic, and simply beautiful. “Blackbird” is almost destined to be your first successful fingerpicking song. Its gentle melody and straightforward chord progression make it an ideal starting point for beginners. The repetitive nature of the picking pattern allows you to focus on coordination and rhythm.

Video Lesson: Trevor Gordon Hall offers excellent “intro to fingerstyle” lessons which are perfect for getting started with this song and fingerstyle in general.

2. Dust In The Wind (Kansas)

This song is incredibly versatile. By learning “Dust In The Wind,” you gain patterns that are transferable. The fingerpicking and chord patterns are similar to those in “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac, allowing you to expand your repertoire quickly. This song is great for developing consistency and fluidity in your fingerpicking.

Video Lesson: Don Ross’s lessons on Travis picking provide an excellent foundation for mastering the techniques needed for “Dust In The Wind”.

3. Ain’t No Sunshine (Bill Withers)

With its iconic and soulful melody, “Ain’t No Sunshine” is instantly recognizable and fun to play. The song’s structure is relatively simple, making it accessible for beginners to fingerstyle. The rhythmic and percussive elements in the guitar part are great for developing timing and groove. Plus, who doesn’t love singing along to “I know, I know, I know, I know, I know…”?

Video Lesson: While not directly for “Ain’t No Sunshine,” Tommy Emmanuel’s lesson on “House of the Rising Sun” explores similar fingerpicking patterns and techniques that can be very helpful in approaching this song.

4. Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)

The acoustic rhythm guitar parts of “Nothing Else Matters” are surprisingly beginner-friendly, despite Metallica’s heavy metal reputation. The beauty of this song lies in its simplicity. It’s proof that complex emotions can be conveyed with straightforward techniques. While the lead guitar is advanced, the rhythm part is perfect for practicing basic fingerstyle patterns and chord changes.

So pretty, and so simple, no specific lessons are absolutely needed here – just listen to the song and start playing.

5. Shape of My Heart (Sting)

Perhaps a slightly less mainstream choice compared to others on this list, “Shape of My Heart” is a truly beautiful song that’s well within reach for those new to fingerstyle guitar. Its melancholic melody and gentle fingerpicking make it a rewarding song to learn. It introduces slightly more complex chord shapes, expanding your chord vocabulary while keeping the fingerpicking accessible.

Video Lesson: The chord shapes in “Shape of My Heart,” particularly those “6” chords, can be the trickiest aspect. Trevor Gordon Hall’s lessons offer foundational fingerstyle guidance that can help you tackle these chords with confidence.

6. Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright (Bob Dylan)

“Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright” is a classic Bob Dylan tune with a fingerpicking style that’s both iconic and approachable. The great thing is that you can get pretty close to Dylan’s sound relatively quickly. It’s a fantastic song for developing a folk-style fingerpicking pattern and learning to play with a relaxed, rhythmic feel. Don’t worry about perfection; just enjoy the groove.

Something tells me you sound more like Bob when you don’t worry too much about sounding perfect. Skip the formal lessons for this one, and just jam along.

7. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) (Green Day)

“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” proves that fingerstyle isn’t limited to folk or classical music; it rocks too! This Green Day hit translates beautifully to acoustic fingerstyle guitar. It’s a great song for learning to apply fingerpicking to a more contemporary pop/rock context. The chord progression is familiar, and the fingerpicking pattern is repetitive and effective.

Video Lesson: Interestingly, “Good Riddance” can be played with either a pick or your fingers. If you’re new to acoustic guitar in general, David Isaacs’ beginner guitar lessons can provide a solid foundation for approaching this song, whether you choose to fingerpick or use a pick.

8. Babe I’m Gonna Leave You (Led Zeppelin)

“Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” is a haunting and powerful Led Zeppelin classic that showcases the dynamic range of fingerstyle guitar. The acoustic intro, in particular, is perfect for beginner fingerpickers. Learning this song introduces you to playing with dynamics and emotion in your fingerstyle playing. Its dramatic flair makes it a captivating piece to learn and perform.

Video Lesson: Similar to “Good Riddance,” “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” can also be played with a pick or fingers. For beginners just starting with acoustic guitar, David Isaacs’ beginner guitar lessons can provide helpful starting points for tackling this song, regardless of your picking preference.

9. Hallelujah (Jeff Buckley)

“Hallelujah,” especially Jeff Buckley’s version, is a deeply moving and beautiful song that’s ideal for fingerstyle practice. Its slow tempo and spacious arrangement allow beginners to focus on accuracy and feeling. The song’s emotional depth and relatively simple fingerpicking pattern make it incredibly rewarding to play. And no, it wasn’t originally written for Shrek, though Jeff Buckley’s rendition is definitely the definitive version.

Nice and slow, just take your time to learn this one.

10. The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel)

Anything by Paul Simon is a masterclass in songwriting and guitar playing, and “The Boxer” is no exception. His early work perfectly blends songwriting, guitar style, and vocal performance. “The Boxer” is a quintessential Simon & Garfunkel song with a distinctive and learnable fingerpicking pattern. It’s a fantastic example of how fingerstyle can be both melodic and rhythmically driving. It’s a must-learn for anyone interested in folk fingerstyle.

Video Lesson: Once again, Don Ross’s lessons on Travis picking are incredibly valuable for understanding the rhythmic foundation of “The Boxer” and other similar fingerstyle songs.

Bonus Fingerstyle Songs to Explore:

The truth is, the world of beginner fingerstyle songs is vast and rich. Here are a few more excellent suggestions, drawn from comments, recommendations, and further consideration, to keep you inspired on your fingerstyle journey:

11. Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin)

Beyond the Wayne’s World jokes, “Stairway to Heaven” actually contains a beautiful and rewarding fingerstyle guitar part. While the chords can be a bit challenging for absolute beginners, they are well worth the effort to learn as you progress. It’s a classic for a reason and a great piece to add to your fingerstyle repertoire.

12. Everybody Hurts (R.E.M.)

Yes, “Everybody Hurts” is a famously sad song, but it’s also remarkably effective as a beginner fingerpicking piece. Its simple, arpeggiated pattern is easy to grasp and sounds beautiful. It’s a great choice for practicing smooth transitions between chords and maintaining a consistent fingerpicking pattern.

13. Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)

“Wonderful Tonight” is a timeless classic, often heard at wedding slow dances, and it’s also a fantastic beginner fingerstyle song. The lyrics are lovely, the melody is memorable, and the fingerpicking patterns are both simple and elegant. It’s a perfect song for practicing gentle, melodic fingerstyle.

14. Fast Car (Tracy Chapman)

“Fast Car” offers a slightly different approach to fingerpicking. Tracy Chapman’s style isn’t the traditional rolling pattern but a unique, driving acoustic fingerpicked riff that defines the song. It’s a great example of how fingerstyle can be used to create rhythmic and percussive textures, offering a different flavor from the classic folk style.

15. House of the Rising Sun (The Animals)

It’s surprising that “House of the Rising Sun” isn’t more frequently listed as a beginner fingerstyle song. It’s a classic tune covered by countless artists, and at its heart, the song is driven by that iconic guitar picking pattern. Learning this pattern opens the door to playing a vast number of variations and similar songs.

16. Don’t Cry (Guns N’ Roses)

If you’re playing for an audience that includes anyone over 40, playing “Don’t Cry” is almost guaranteed to evoke nostalgic memories of high school days. This Guns N’ Roses ballad features a straightforward and effective fingerpicking pattern that’s both easy to learn and emotionally resonant.

17. Love Yourself (Justin Bieber)

Moving from the 40-year-olds to the younger generation, Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself” features a catchy and addictive acoustic guitar riff that translates beautifully to fingerstyle. It’s a modern pop song that’s surprisingly well-suited for beginner fingerpicking practice, proving that fingerstyle can be applied to contemporary music.

18. Fire and Rain (James Taylor)

“Fire and Rain” by James Taylor is simply a beautiful song with wonderfully crafted fingerpicking patterns. If you’re not already familiar with it, take a listen. The chorus is incredibly catchy and the fingerpicking is both intricate and accessible, making it a rewarding song to learn and play.

19. Hotel California (The Eagles)

While the iconic “Hotel California” intro is originally picked with a pick, the picking pattern itself is perfectly adaptable to fingerpicking. The pattern rolls smoothly from the Low E string to the High E and back, flowing through the chords. This makes it an ideal song for beginners to practice smooth, rolling fingerpicking patterns across the strings.

20. One (Metallica)

Finally, for the metalheads who want to explore fingerstyle, Metallica’s “One” offers a surprising entry point. The intro fingerpicking is slow and deliberate, and the chords are simple, yet the result is an instantly recognizable and iconic riff. While the rest of the song transitions into heavy metal, focusing on the intro provides a great beginner fingerstyle exercise. Just maybe try to ignore the rather depressing lyrics for this one!

Got More Beginner Fingerstyle Song Suggestions?

Please share them in the comments below! We’re always looking to expand this list and help more beginners discover the joy of fingerstyle guitar.

Want to Really Master Fingerstyle? Here’s a Great Resource.

Tommy Emmanuel, widely considered one of the greatest acoustic guitarists in the world (and a Certified Guitar Player), offers a fantastic range of fingerstyle guitar courses. His skill and teaching ability are unmatched.

If you’re serious about taking your fingerstyle playing to the next level, exploring Tommy Emmanuel’s courses is highly recommended. He’s a true master and an inspiring teacher.

Tommy Emmanuel – Fingerstyle Milestones

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Explore More Courses from Tommy Emmanuel

* (Full disclosure: Clicking the course links and signing up helps support our site. Thanks for your support! You’ll find more song-specific lesson recommendations throughout the article.)