As a guitar teacher at guitarplayers.net, part of my role is to find songs that will resonate with my students and fuel their learning journey. While some guitarists arrive knowing exactly which songs they are eager to master and diligently work through their ever-expanding song lists, others seek guidance on what songs are considered essential or beneficial to learn. However, unlike subjects such as mathematics or physics, music learning isn’t prescriptive. There’s no definitive list of songs you must learn to progress. Unless you’re deeply immersed in music theory, there’s no set path to guitar mastery. The most effective learning path is the one that ignites your passion and keeps you motivated. You’ll achieve far greater progress by tackling a song you genuinely love, even if it seems slightly beyond your current skill level, compared to practicing an easier, but less inspiring piece assigned by someone else.
To spark inspiration in my students, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of songs widely enjoyed and frequently played on guitar. (I want to acknowledge the /r/Guitar community on Reddit for their invaluable contributions in expanding this collection). This list spans diverse styles and difficulty levels. Recognizing that many guitarists focus on instrumental practice, I’m prioritizing songs that are instantly recognizable from their guitar parts alone. (For those interested in strumming and singing, I also maintain a vast resource of tunes in my Beginner’s Song Browser.)
To listen to a song, simply click on its title to open it in YouTube. Once you’ve found a song that excites you, click the “Lesson” link to access a video tutorial on how to play it. Need further assistance? Compile a list of songs you’re keen to learn from this page and bring it to your guitar teacher. If you don’t currently have a teacher, I offer Skype guitar lessons and would be delighted to guide you through any of these songs.
This list is continuously being updated, so please feel free to report any broken links or suggest songs that I might have overlooked.
You can also find all of these songs compiled into a Spotify playlist.
FREE Video Course: How to Practice Scales
Animated guitar practice scale guide for building muscle memory
In this complimentary 3-day video course, you will discover the guitar scale practice method that I teach to all my private students. This method is specifically designed to help you develop the essential muscle memory needed to create authentic music like a seasoned professional.
IMPORTANT: You are not yet enrolled in this course! Please check your inbox immediately for an email from me titled “CLICK THIS LINK for access to your free video course: How to Practice Scales”.
