Learning guitar can be incredibly rewarding, and one of the quickest ways to start playing your favorite songs is with guitar tablature, or guitar tabs. If you’re a beginner guitarist, navigating standard music notation can feel daunting. That’s where Beginner Guitar Tablature comes in! Tabs are a simple and visual way to learn songs, showing you exactly where to place your fingers on the fretboard.
This free guitar lesson is designed to get you playing iconic riffs and licks right away using easy-to-read beginner guitar tablature. We’ve compiled 20 awesome riffs that are perfect for new players – they sound fantastic and are surprisingly easy to learn.
In this lesson, you’ll discover:
- 20 iconic guitar riffs presented in beginner guitar tablature that are both fun and easy to play.
- Videos for each riff to guide you step-by-step and ensure you master each tab.
- A diverse range of genres, helping you develop your lead guitar skills while exploring different musical styles.
Ready to dive in? Let’s get started and explore the world of beginner guitar tablature!
Guitar Tabs for Beginners: ‘Beat It’ by Michael Jackson
This is a fantastic example of beginner guitar tablature in action. The riff from “Beat It” is instantly recognizable and, despite its iconic status, it’s not overly complicated to play. It utilizes the Minor Pentatonic scale, a foundational scale for guitarists, and sounds incredible.
Before we look at the beginner guitar tablature, take a listen to the original track to get the rhythm and feel in your ear.
Beat It – Michael Jackson (Official Video)
Here’s the main riff in beginner guitar tablature:
e|-------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------------------------|
G|-------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------|
A|-5-5-5-3-5-5-5-3-5-3-3-1-3-3-3-1-----------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------|And here’s a video lesson explaining how to play this beginner guitar tablature:
Beat It Guitar Lesson – Michael Jackson Guitar Riff – Beginner Guitar Tabs
Notes on how to play this beginner guitar tab
- Start Slow: The golden rule for learning any guitar part, especially when using beginner guitar tablature, is to practice slowly. Focus on accuracy first. Get the notes right at a slow tempo, and then gradually increase your speed. This slow and correct practice is the most effective way to build muscle memory and ensure you learn the riff properly from the start.
- String Skipping: A slightly tricky aspect of this beginner guitar tablature riff is the jump from the A string to the G string, as you have to skip over the D string. Pay attention to your picking hand and try to visualize the string change. Look at your strings as you make this transition initially to help your accuracy.
- Isolate the Jump: Practice transitioning between the A string notes and the G string notes separately. Just play the sequence on the A string, then immediately jump to the G string sequence. This focused practice will help you become more comfortable with the string skip.
- Picking Direction: Be mindful of your picking direction – whether you are picking up or down. For example, when moving from the G string to the D string (though not in this specific riff, but as a general tip), you might find it easier to use an upward pick stroke, so your pick is already moving in the direction of the next string. Picking away from the direction you need to go can sometimes make string changes more awkward.
To further develop your lead guitar skills and learn more techniques, check out our comprehensive guide:
How To Play Lead Guitar: The Ultimate Guide
Beginner Guitar Tablature: ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’ by Cream
“Sunshine Of Your Love” boasts one of the most recognizable and satisfying riffs in rock history, and it’s surprisingly accessible for beginner guitar tablature learners. This riff is big, bold, and perfect for cranking up your amp and channeling your inner Eric Clapton circa 1967!
Listen to the iconic riff before you examine the beginner guitar tablature below:
Cream – Sunshine of Your Love (Official Music Video)
We’ll focus on the intro riff for this beginner guitar tablature lesson:
e|-----------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------|
G|-----------------------------------|
D|-----------------------------------|
A|-------0-3-5---5-3-0---------------|
E|-0-3-5-------------5-3-0-----------|
guitar tabs for beginners
Watch this video where Jack explains how to play this riff using beginner guitar tablature:
Sunshine Of Your Love – Cream – Guitar Lesson – Easy Guitar Tabs
Tab Notes for this beginner guitar tablature
- Slow and Steady Wins: Just like with “Beat It,” begin practicing this beginner guitar tablature riff slowly. Accuracy is paramount at this stage. Get each note and string change correct before gradually increasing your speed. Repeating this point is crucial: practicing slowly and correctly is the cornerstone of building solid muscle memory and developing good technique from the outset.
- String Crossing: Pay close attention to the sections where you cross strings. Ensure your picking hand is smoothly transitioning between the E and A strings. Smooth string changes are essential for a clean and fluid performance.
- Break It Down: Don’t hesitate to break the riff down into smaller, manageable parts. Master each small section individually before attempting to play the entire riff. This approach makes learning complex-sounding riffs much less overwhelming when using beginner guitar tablature.
Beginner Guitar Tablature: ‘Seven Nation Army’ by The White Stripes
Here’s another incredibly impactful riff from the White Stripes. This band created a huge sound with just two members, and this riff is a testament to their minimalist yet powerful approach.
“Seven Nation Army” is a fantastic choice for beginner guitar tablature because it sounds amazing and is played entirely on a single string! This makes it less demanding on your fretting hand and allows you to focus on rhythm and picking technique.
Let’s listen to the main riff from the beginning of the song:
The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army (Official Music Video)
The beginner guitar tablature for the main riff is as follows:
e|-------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------------------------|
G|-------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------|
E|-7-7-10-7-5---3-3-2-2-0--------------------------|
easy guitar tabs for beginners
In this video, Jack provides further explanation of each part of this beginner guitar tablature riff:
Seven Nation Army – White Stripes – Guitar Lesson – Easy Guitar Tabs
Notes on how to play this beginner guitar tab
- Fingering Options: The main challenge with this beginner guitar tablature riff is deciding on the best fingering. One common approach is to start with your 1st finger on the 7th fret and then stretch up to the 10th fret with your pinky finger. After that stretch, you can revert to using primarily your first finger for the rest of the riff.
- Simplified Approach for Newbies: If you are completely new to guitar, you can absolutely play this entire beginner guitar tablature riff using just one finger! Experiment with both techniques – using one finger and incorporating your pinky – and see which feels most comfortable and efficient for you.
Beginner Guitar Tablature: ‘Come As You Are’ by Nirvana
Beginner guitar tablature doesn’t get much moodier or more iconic than the main riff from “Come As You Are.” This riff is instantly recognizable and has a cool, laid-back vibe that’s perfect for practicing.
Here’s the beginner guitar tablature for this legendary riff:
e|-------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------------------------|
G|-------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------|
A|-0-0-0-2-3-2-0---0-0-0-2-3-2-0-------------------|
E|---------------------------------3-3-3-5-3-0-------|
best guitar tabs for beginners
Watch Jack’s video explanation to see how to play this beginner guitar tablature riff:
Come As You Are – Nirvana – Guitar Lesson – Easy Guitar Tabs
Notes on how to play this beginner guitar tab
- Open A String Transition: The slightly tricky element in this beginner guitar tablature riff is moving from the 2nd fret back to the open A string. This requires a clean and quick transition.
- Focused Practice: Consider isolating and practicing just this part of the riff – the transition between the 2nd fret and the open A string. Repeated practice of this small section will significantly improve your fluidity and make the entire riff smoother.
- Muscle Memory is Key: Remember, with any riff, especially when learning from beginner guitar tablature, consistent practice of the challenging parts is essential. Even if a section feels difficult initially, targeted practice is exactly what you need to build the necessary muscle memory and overcome the hurdle.
Beginner Guitar Tablature: ‘Day Tripper’ by The Beatles
“Day Tripper” by The Beatles is another outstanding example of beginner guitar tablature material, featuring a truly awesome and instantly catchy riff. Increase the gain on your amp and you’ll hear how much raw energy this riff possesses – it’s incredibly cool and fun to play.
This riff shares some similarities with “Beat It” by Michael Jackson, using the same scale and incorporating open strings. This familiarity can make it easier to learn if you’ve already tackled “Beat It.”
Watch this video to see Jack demonstrate how to play this riff using beginner guitar tablature:
Day Tripper – The Beatles – Guitar Lesson – Easy Guitar Tabs
Notes on how to play this beginner guitar tab
- Slow Practice, Always: Reinforcing this again, always practice slowly when learning beginner guitar tablature. Accuracy before speed is the mantra. Get the notes and rhythms correct at a slow tempo, and then gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable. This method is the most effective way to develop lasting muscle memory.
- String Accuracy: This riff requires precise string switching, especially in the initial part. Your accuracy needs to be on point to avoid accidentally hitting unwanted strings. When first learning this beginner guitar tablature riff, play deliberately slowly, focusing on cleanly picking each string individually.
- Finger Stretch: The transition from the 2nd fret on the A string to the 4th fret on the D string can be a bit of a stretch for beginner guitarists. Take your time with this stretch and ensure you are relaxed. Avoid tension in your hand, as tension hinders dexterity and speed.
- Wrist and Forearm Movement: You might need to adjust your wrist position – moving it slightly forwards or backwards – to make this riff more comfortable to play. Ensure your forearm is free to move and is not restricted. Remember, playing guitar chords and riffs involves movement from your whole arm, not just your fingers.
For further inspiration and to see where these riffs rank in rock history, check out this article from NME which features ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’ in their Top 50 Greatest Guitar Riffs of all time. It’s a great read for any guitar enthusiast: 50 Greatest Guitar Riffs Of All Time
Beginner Guitar Tablature: ‘Wonderful Tonight’ by Eric Clapton
“Wonderful Tonight” features a truly beautiful and melodic riff. This song often evokes a sense of nostalgia for guitarists, taking them back to their early days of learning.
This riff, presented in beginner guitar tablature, introduces a few different lead guitar techniques, making it excellent for developing beginner skills. It incorporates string bending, a fundamental technique for expressive guitar playing.
While it’s slightly more challenging than some of the previous examples due to the bends requiring controlled execution, it’s a fantastic learning exercise. Stick with it, and you’ll develop crucial ear training and finger strength.
guitar tabs for beginners wonderful tonight
Here’s the beginner guitar tablature for the main riff:
e|-------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------------------------|
G|---------------------7b9r7-----------------------|
D|-7-7-9-10-9-7-5-7-7-------9-7-5-----------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------|Here’s a video walkthrough to guide you through this beginner guitar tablature riff:
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton – Guitar Lesson – Easy Guitar Tabs
Notes on how to play this beginner guitar tab
- Focus on Bends: The trickiest aspect of this beginner guitar tablature riff is executing the string bends accurately. When bending strings, consciously TARGET the note you are aiming for. Listen intently to ensure the bent note is in tune and matches the intended pitch.
- Ear Training and Intonation: This riff is excellent for ear training. Pay close attention to the pitch of the bends and compare them to the original recording. Developing your ear to recognize correct intonation during bends is a vital skill for any guitarist.
You can delve deeper into lead guitar techniques, including string bending, in our comprehensive guide: How To Play Lead Guitar: The Ultimate Guide
Beginner Guitar Tablature: ‘Iron Man’ by Black Sabbath
This next riff is a cornerstone of heavy metal history, helping to define the genre. If you’re ready to rock and explore heavier sounds, this beginner guitar tablature riff is perfect for you.
We’ll focus on the main intro riff of “Iron Man,” which kicks in after the initial “robot voice” intro, around 0:28 in the song.
Black Sabbath – Iron Man [Official Live Video]
Here’s the beginner guitar tablature for the “Iron Man” riff:
e|-------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------------------------|
G|-7---7---7---5---7---7---7---5-----------------|
D|-7---7---7---5---7---7---7---5---5-4-2-0--------|
A|-5---5---5---3---5---5---5---3---5-4-2-0--------|
E|-----------------------------------3-2-0--------|Jack breaks down this riff in more detail in this video:
Iron Man – Black Sabbath – Guitar Lesson – Easy Guitar Tabs
Notes on this beginner guitar tab
- Picking Speed Development: This beginner guitar tablature riff can become quite challenging when you reach the 10th and 9th frets (although not explicitly shown in this simplified tab, the full riff does go higher). The changes in this section are rapid, making it excellent practice for developing your picking speed and accuracy.
- Rhythm and Timing: Pay close attention to the rhythm and timing of the riff. The power of “Iron Man” comes from its heavy, deliberate groove. Ensure you are playing the notes in time and with the correct rhythmic feel.
Beginner Guitar Tablature: ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ by Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Sweet Home Alabama” is a classic rock staple. While the song is well-known, the live performances, especially the bass player at 0:46 in many videos, are often just as entertaining!
This is one of the more unique examples of beginner guitar tablature in this list because the “official” recording features multiple guitar parts. We will focus on the easiest part of the intro riff, which is still instantly recognizable.
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama (Official Music Video)
Here’s the beginner guitar tablature for a simplified version of the intro riff:
e|-------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------------------------|
G|-------------------------------------------------|
D|-------0-2-----0-2-----0-2-----------------------|
A|-0-2-3-----0-2-3-----0-2-3-----------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------|Here’s some additional guidance from Jack on playing this riff:
Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd – Guitar Lesson – Easy Guitar Tabs
Notes on this beginner guitar tab
- Chord Foundation: This beginner guitar tablature riff is slightly trickier because it relies on a chord progression as its foundation. Before attempting the lead guitar fills in this riff, make sure you are comfortable with the underlying chords. Get the chords down first, strum them in time with the music, and THEN start incorporating the lead fills.
- Chord Knowledge is Key: Understanding the chord diagrams is essential for playing this song correctly. If you are unfamiliar with chord diagrams, take a moment to learn how to read them.
Dsus2 Chord
National Guitar Academy
Learn more easy ways to play the D chord in this lesson: 3 Easy Ways to Play the D Chord on Guitar
Cadd9 Chord
Check out this article to learn various easy ways to play the C chord: Easy Ways To Play The C Guitar Chord
G Major Chord
guitar tabs for beginners
The G major chord is arguably the most versatile and fundamental guitar chord. We’ve created an entire article dedicated to easy ways to play it: 4 Easy Ways To Play The G Chord On Guitar
Mastering these chords is vital as they form the harmonic basis of “Sweet Home Alabama.”
Beginner Guitar Tablature: ‘Smoke On The Water’ by Deep Purple
“Smoke On The Water” is synonymous with rock and roll, and its riff is wonderfully EASY to learn, making it a top choice for beginner guitar tablature.
Deep Purple – Smoke On The Water (Official Video)
The riff is incredibly simple, played entirely on a single string:
e|-------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------------------------|
G|-0-3-5---0-3-6-5---0-3-5---3-0-------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------|While this beginner guitar tablature riff is straightforward, Jack provides further explanation in this video:
Smoke On The Water – Deep Purple – Guitar Lesson – Easy Guitar Tabs
Beginner Guitar Tablature: ‘Enter Sandman’ by Metallica
Metal riffs are consistently excellent choices for beginner guitar tablature, and “Enter Sandman” is another classic example. Many guitarists fondly remember learning this riff early in their guitar journey and rocking out to it for hours!
We will focus on the intro riff of “Enter Sandman” for this beginner guitar tablature lesson.
Metallica: Enter Sandman (Official Music Video)
Here’s the beginner guitar tablature for the intro riff:
e|-------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------------------------|
G|-------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------|
A|-0-0-0-3-5-3-0---0-0-0-3-5-3-0-------------------|
E|-0-0-0-3-5-3-0---0-0-0-3-5-3-0-------------------|Tab notes
- String Changes and Slow Practice: Be attentive to the string changes in this beginner guitar tablature riff, particularly when moving between the E and A strings. As always, practice SLOWLY initially.
- Video Guidance: Jack provides a more detailed explanation of this riff in the video below, which will help you understand the nuances and rhythm:
Enter Sandman – Metallica – Guitar Lesson – Easy Guitar Tabs
Learning guitar riffs using beginner guitar tablature is a fun and effective way to start your musical journey. These 20 riffs are just the beginning. Keep practicing, explore more songs, and enjoy the process of learning and making music!
