Learning guitar can be an incredibly rewarding journey. If you’re just starting out, or even if you’ve been playing for a while, understanding guitar tabs can open up a whole new world of songs and techniques. As a content creator for guitarplayers.net, I’ve guided countless beginners through the initial steps of guitar playing, and I can tell you a secret: guitar tabs, while they might look confusing at first, are actually quite simple to grasp. They are a fantastic tool for learning songs quickly and effectively.
In this guide, we’ll break down what guitar tabs are, how to read them, and then dive into 15 Easy Acoustic Guitar Tabs perfect for beginners like you. These tabs will help you start playing some of your favorite tunes right away.
Click here to jump directly to the beginner guitar tabs!
Originally published on May 22, 2019, this article was republished on February 28, 2024.
Alt text: Guitar progress tracker cover image, promoting consistent 10-minute daily practice for faster learning and skill building.
What Exactly Are Guitar Tabs?
Guitar tabs, short for tablature, are a user-friendly way to write down music specifically for guitarists. Think of them as a visual shortcut for playing songs. Instead of using traditional musical notation with notes on a staff, guitar tabs use a six-line grid that represents the six strings of your guitar.
Each line in a guitar tab corresponds to a guitar string – from the thinnest string at the top (high E string) to the thickest string at the bottom (low E string). Numbers are placed on these lines to indicate which fret to press down on that particular string. A ‘0’ means you play the open string, ‘1’ means you press down the first fret, ‘2’ the second fret, and so on.
Some guitar tabs are very basic, only showing you the fret numbers. Others are more detailed and may include rhythmic notation to give you a better sense of the timing and rhythm of the music.
While some musicians are trained in standard musical notation, guitar tabs have become a widely popular and accessible method, especially for guitarists learning popular music. Many guitarists learn songs by listening to the music and then using guitar tabs to quickly grasp the finger positions. You can easily find tons of free acoustic guitar tabs online, making it a fantastic resource for beginners.
Decoding Guitar Tabs: How to Read Them
Reading guitar tabs is straightforward. You read them from left to right, just like reading a sentence. The horizontal direction represents the progression of time in the music. The speed at which you move across the tab corresponds to the tempo of the song – faster for a fast song, slower for a slow one.
As you move across the tab, you’ll encounter numbers on the six lines. These numbers tell you exactly which fret to play on which string.
For example:
e|--0--3--|
B|--1--0--|
G|--0--0--|
D|--2--0--|
A|--3--2--|
E|--x--3--|In this simple example, the top line ‘e’ represents the high E string, and the bottom line ‘E’ is the low E string. Following the first column, you would play the open high E string (0), the 1st fret on the B string, the open G string, the 2nd fret on the D string, the 3rd fret on the A string, and an ‘x’ on the low E string (meaning don’t play this string). Then you move to the next column and play the 3rd fret on the high E string, open B string, open G string, open D string, 2nd fret on the A string, and 3rd fret on the low E string.
Beyond these basic fret numbers, you might also see rhythmic notations borrowed from standard music notation in more advanced tabs. Additionally, there are various guitar tab symbols used to indicate techniques like slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, vibrato, and bends. While there are many symbols, a lot of the common stylistic notations are fairly standard across different guitar tabs, and you’ll quickly become familiar with them as you learn more songs.
15 Easy Acoustic Guitar Tabs for Beginners
Now that you understand what guitar tabs are and how to read them, let’s get to the fun part – playing some music! Here are 15 easy acoustic guitar tabs that are perfect for beginners. These songs are popular, recognizable, and relatively simple to play, allowing you to build confidence and get comfortable with reading tabs.
1. Before You Go – Lewis Capaldi
Lewis Capaldi’s “Before You Go,” released in 2019, is a deeply emotional and personal song. It’s a fantastic choice for acoustic guitar and involves fingerpicking between a few common guitar chords. It’s a great way to start practicing fingerstyle techniques.
You can find the tab here.
2. Like a Stone – Audioslave
Audioslave’s “Like a Stone,” a major hit from 2003, features a memorable intro riff that’s excellent for beginner guitarists to learn. After mastering the riff, you can move on to the chord progressions in the chorus. This song is a cool introduction to rock riffs on acoustic guitar.
You can read the tab here.
3. Scar Tissue – Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Scar Tissue” by Red Hot Chili Peppers, released in 1999, is known for its beautiful melody and a very catchy and fun intro riff. This song is a great example of how even seemingly complex bands can have accessible riffs for beginners.
Read the tab here.
4. Blackbird – The Beatles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swiC4YUyrOI
“Blackbird,” from The Beatles’ “White Album” (1968), is famous for its delicate and captivating fingerpicking pattern. Inspired by a blackbird’s song, this piece is perfect for developing fingerstyle skills. Try tapping your foot along to get the rhythm, just like Paul McCartney!
Read the tab here.
5. Wonderwall – Oasis
Oasis’s “Wonderwall,” a 1995 hit, is instantly recognizable and features an iconic strumming pattern. Consisting of only five chords, it’s one of the most popular songs for beginner acoustic guitarists to learn and master strumming.
Read the full tab here.
6. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (1973) is a timeless classic with poignant lyrics and a simple yet powerful melody. Its enduring popularity and simple chord structure make it an excellent choice for beginners to learn folk and classic songs.
Read the full tab here.
7. Horse With No Name – America
“Horse with No Name” by America (1971) is a folk-rock favorite known for its atmospheric sound and dreamy lyrics. The repetitive chord progression and simple strumming make it very accessible for beginners to learn and play along with.
Read the full tab here.
8. Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” (1975) is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that’s surprisingly approachable for beginners on acoustic guitar. While the full song has iconic solos, the chord progression and main riff are manageable for those just starting out.
Read the full tab here.
9. Let It Be – The Beatles
“Let It Be” by The Beatles (1970) is an uplifting and comforting ballad. Its reassuring message and iconic melody, combined with relatively simple chords, make it a rewarding song for beginners to learn and sing along to.
Read the full tab here.
10. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” (1967) is a classic celebration of youthful joy and nostalgia. Its infectious groove and catchy melody are underpinned by a simple chord progression that’s perfect for practicing basic chord changes.
Read the full tab here.
11. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) – Green Day
“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day (1997) is a bittersweet anthem known for its acoustic instrumentation and heartfelt lyrics. This song is excellent for practicing gentle strumming and chord transitions, and it’s a popular choice for graduation ceremonies and sentimental moments.
Read the full tab here.
12. Blowing in the Wind – Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan’s “Blowing in the Wind” (1963) is a timeless protest song with a powerful message of peace and change. Its simple chords and repetitive structure make it easy to learn, while its lyrical depth provides substance and meaning.
Read the full tab here.
13. You’re Beautiful – James Blunt
James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful” (2005) is a romantic ballad with a soaring melody. While the vocal range might be challenging, the underlying guitar chords are beginner-friendly and allow you to play along with this popular love song.
Read the full tab here.
14. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” (2008) is a sunny and upbeat pop song that radiates positivity. Its catchy melody and simple, repetitive chord progression make it a fun and easy song to learn and play, perfect for practicing barre chords in a gentle context.
Read the full tab here.
15. Hey, Soul Sister – Train
Train’s “Hey, Soul Sister” (2009) is a catchy and upbeat pop-rock song celebrating friendship and connection. Its infectious groove and straightforward chord progression make it a great song for beginners to practice strumming along to a more modern pop tune.
Read the full tab here.
Want to explore even more songs for acoustic guitar? Check out these 5 easy songs to play on guitar or these 10 easy guitar riffs.
Take Your Guitar Journey Further
These 15 easy acoustic guitar tabs are just the beginning. Learning guitar tabs is a fundamental skill that will unlock countless songs and musical possibilities for you. If you’re serious about improving your guitar playing, consider joining a structured learning environment like Tony’s Acoustic Challenge.
In a supportive community, you can share your progress, get help when you’re stuck, and access a wealth of lessons and exercises designed for all levels. Consistent practice, even just 10 minutes a day, can make a huge difference in your guitar journey.
Ready to take the next step? Watch this FREE guitar class and discover secrets to learn guitar faster and more effectively.
