Starting your guitar journey can be incredibly exciting, and what better way to stay motivated than by learning to play actual songs? For over 30 years, diving into new music has been my biggest inspiration as a guitar player, especially in those crucial early stages. Many beginners feel discouraged within their first year, so it’s vital to connect with what sparked your interest in guitar in the first place – real, playable music! This guide provides a curated list of 52 easy Guitar Music Chords Songs perfect for beginner players. These songs are not only fun to play but are also designed to keep you engaged and learning throughout your first year and beyond.
A Year of Guitar Music Chords Songs
This comprehensive list features 52 songs, offering you the fantastic opportunity to learn one new song each week for an entire year. Incorporate these into your daily practice, and watch your skills grow as you master each piece. If some songs initially seem too challenging, don’t worry! Bookmark them and revisit them as you progress and build a stronger foundation with easier guitar music chords songs.
The selection criteria for this list prioritize songs that are largely based on basic open chords. These chords are known for being more accessible and easier for beginner guitarists to learn and play. To further assist you, chord diagrams are included for each song, making learning guitar music chords songs even more straightforward.
Don’t let the term “easy” mislead you into thinking these songs are simplistic or uninteresting. This collection offers a diverse range of upbeat and mellow rock ‘n’ roll tracks. From simple three-chord progressions to slightly more complex seven and eight-chord structures, these songs are enjoyable for guitarists of all levels, from novice to advanced. They are excellent for building your repertoire of guitar music chords songs.
To expand your learning experience, consider exploring the CAGED chord shapes and experiment with substituting triads in place of full chords. This will not only enhance your understanding of guitar music chords songs but also broaden your playing versatility.
1. “Nutshell” – Alice in Chains
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – G – D – Cadd9
We begin our list of guitar music chords songs with “Nutshell,” a beautifully melancholic acoustic track from Alice in Chains’ Jar of Flies EP. This song features a simple four-chord progression in the key of Em (E minor scale). A key technique in this song is using the ring finger as a pivot point between chord changes. This technique simplifies transitions, making “Nutshell” an exceptionally accessible song for practicing smooth chord changes while learning guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Nutshell” – Alice In Chains
2. “Learning to Fly” – Tom Petty
Key: C
Chords: F – C – Am – G
“Learning to Fly,” from Tom Petty’s album Into the Great Wide Open, is a quintessential easy-to-learn guitar music chords song. Its chord progression, F – C – Am – G, is repetitive, forming the backbone of the entire song with minimal variations. This repetitive structure makes it incredibly easy to memorize and master, solidifying your grasp of these fundamental chords in the context of guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Learning to Fly” – Tom Petty
3. “Dead Flowers” – The Rolling Stones
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
“Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones is simplicity at its finest, utilizing just three chords: D, A, and G. This 3-chord progression makes it an excellent choice for anyone starting with guitar music chords songs. What’s particularly instructive about “Dead Flowers” is how it crafts distinct verses, pre-choruses, and choruses using only these three chords. This demonstrates the versatility and expressiveness achievable even with a limited set of guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Dead Flowers” – The Rolling Stones
4. “Rockin’ In the Free World” – Neil Young
Key: Em
Chords: Em – D – C – G – A
Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” is a high-energy rock anthem played in the key of Em. Despite its robust sound, it’s surprisingly accessible, making it a fantastic addition to a beginner’s repertoire of guitar music chords songs. Learning this song is not just about mastering chords; it’s about learning to play with energy and passion while keeping the chord changes clean and rhythmic, essential skills for playing guitar music chords songs effectively.
Listen: “Rockin’ in the Free World” – Neil Young
5. “The Celestials” – The Smashing Pumpkins
Key: Em (F#m)
Chords: Em – G – D – Cadd9 – Am
“The Celestials” by The Smashing Pumpkins is an excellent choice for practicing fundamental strumming patterns in your journey with guitar music chords songs. While officially played with a capo on the 2nd fret, the chords are presented here in their open forms for easier learning. This song is perfect for developing a consistent rhythm and experimenting with different strumming techniques across a simple yet engaging chord progression, vital for mastering guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “The Celestials” – The Smashing Pumpkins
6. “Used to Love Her” – Guns N’ Roses
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
“Used to Love Her” by Guns N’ Roses is another easy acoustic guitar song that shares a striking similarity with “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones in terms of guitar music chords songs. Both songs predominantly use the same three open guitar chords – D, A, and G. The chord progression varies slightly, offering a subtle twist while reinforcing your familiarity with these essential chords in different contexts of guitar music chords songs. Learning one essentially gives you a head start on learning the other!
Listen: “Used to Love Her” – Guns N’ Roses
7. “One” – U2
Key: Am
Chords: Am – D – F – G – C
“One,” arguably U2’s most beloved song, is also remarkably beginner-friendly on guitar. It’s a perfect addition to your list of guitar music chords songs. The chord progression is not only easy to grasp but also emotionally resonant, making practice sessions more rewarding. Learning “One” is a fantastic way to apply basic chords to a song with depth and feeling, enhancing your experience with guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “One” – U2
8. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Key: C
Chords: C – Am – G – F – C/B – Am/G
“Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” by Creedence Clearwater Revival introduces a slightly more advanced concept: slash chords. These chords, like C/B and Am/G, feature a bass note different from the root. The notation indicates the chord to the left of the slash and the bass note to the right. This song provides a gentle introduction to more complex chord voicings while remaining accessible for beginners learning guitar music chords songs, expanding their harmonic understanding early on.
Listen: “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
9. “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
Key: C
Chords: F – C – Am – G
The Lumineers are masters of simplicity, often building entire songs around just a few chords. “Ho Hey” is a prime example, constructed from the four chords: F, C, Am, and G. This makes it an ideal song for beginner guitarists exploring guitar music chords songs. “Ho Hey” also offers a chance to experiment with different fingerings for the F major and G major chords. Feel free to try out various positions to find what’s most comfortable, enhancing your chord vocabulary in the realm of guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
10. “And It Stoned Me” – Van Morrison
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Am – Em
“And It Stoned Me,” from Van Morrison’s iconic Moondance album, is a delightful five-chord song in the key of G major. Composed entirely of open chords, it’s perfectly suited for beginners eager to expand their knowledge of guitar music chords songs. This song is not only easy to play but also melodically rich, making it a rewarding piece to learn and practice as you build your repertoire of guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “And It Stoned Me” – Van Morrison
11. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Green Day
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Cadd9 – Em
“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” from Green Day’s Nimrod album is instantly recognizable and surprisingly simple to play. While the original song features arpeggiated chords at the beginning, it translates beautifully to strummed chords, making it highly accessible for beginners learning guitar music chords songs. Whether you choose to arpeggiate or strum, this song is a fantastic way to practice smooth chord transitions and develop your musicality with guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Green Day
12. “Sweet Jane” – The Velvet Underground
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G – Bm – C#m – G# – E – B
Don’t be intimidated by the number of chords in “Sweet Jane” by The Velvet Underground; it’s not as complex as it looks for learning guitar music chords songs. The song features a catchy strumming pattern that’s incredibly fun to play and relatively straightforward to learn. However, be aware that “Sweet Jane” does incorporate several barre chords. While barre chords can be challenging initially, practicing them with a song like “Sweet Jane” is highly effective and rewarding in your journey of mastering guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Sweet Jane” – The Velvet Underground
13. “I Remember You” – Skid Row
Key: G
Chords: G – Cadd9 – D – C – Em
“I Remember You,” Skid Row’s power ballad, is a popular choice for guitarists learning guitar music chords songs. The chords are primarily strummed, offering a great opportunity to focus on rhythm and timing. Additionally, “I Remember You” provides space to experiment with adding embellishments between chord changes. These little flourishes can spice up your playing and start developing your personal style within the framework of guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “I Remember You” – Skid Row
14. “Mother” – Pink Floyd
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – F
“Mother” from Pink Floyd’s monumental album The Wall presents a simple chord progression in the key of G, making it accessible for beginners exploring guitar music chords songs. While the chords themselves are straightforward (G, C, D, F), the strumming pattern in “Mother” has a unique intricacy. Pay close attention to the rhythm and nuances of the strumming, as mastering this aspect is key to truly capturing the feel of the song while practicing guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Mother” – Pink Floyd
15. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Am
“Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan is a timeless classic and an ideal starting point for beginners learning guitar music chords songs. Its simple chord progression and universally recognized melody make it instantly rewarding to play. This song is not only easy to learn but also serves as a foundational piece in any guitarist’s repertoire of guitar music chords songs, offering a great sense of accomplishment early in your learning journey.
Listen: “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan
16. “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” – R.E.M.
Key: A
Chords: D – A – G – Bm – E
“What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” by R.E.M. is a four-chord song that brims with energy and is incredibly fun to play on guitar music chords songs. Despite its lively feel, the chord progression is quite straightforward (D, A, G, Bm, E), making it accessible to beginners. This song is perfect for practicing faster chord changes and maintaining a driving rhythm, adding a dynamic piece to your growing collection of guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” – R.E.M
17. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Key: D
Chords: G – C – D – F
“Sweet Home Alabama” from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Second Helping album is a Southern rock staple and a surprisingly easy song for beginners to learn guitar music chords songs. For the majority of the song, it relies on a simple three-chord progression. The iconic opening riff does incorporate a Cadd9 chord instead of a standard C. However, when just strumming along, the regular C major chord works perfectly well, simplifying it further for those new to guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
18. “Wild Horses” – The Rolling Stones
Key: G
Chords: Am – G – C – D – Bm – F
“Wild Horses,” a gem from The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers album (1971), is a timeless song every guitarist will eventually want to learn as part of their guitar music chords songs journey. While it introduces a few more chords than some of the simpler songs on this list, the chord progression is beautifully melodic and relatively easy to follow. Learning “Wild Horses” adds a touch of classic rock elegance to your repertoire of guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Wild Horses” – The Rolling Stones
19. “No Rain” – Blind Melon
Key: E
Chords: E – A – G – D – E7
Blind Melon’s “No Rain” emerged during the alternative and grunge wave of the early 90s and remains a popular choice for guitar music chords songs. Primarily built on four chords (E, A, G, D) with an E7 adding a bit of color, it’s both catchy and easy to play. “No Rain” has a distinctive groove that makes it incredibly enjoyable to strum along to, perfect for practicing rhythm and chord transitions in the context of guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “No Rain” – Blind Melon
20. “Summer of 69” – Bryan Adams
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G – Bm – F – B♭ – C
Time to plug in your electric guitar and crank up the gain for “Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams! This rock anthem is not only incredibly popular but also surprisingly accessible for beginners learning guitar music chords songs. While it introduces a few more chords including barre chords (F, B♭), the core progression is manageable and immensely rewarding to play, especially when you want to rock out with guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Summer of 69” – Bryan Adams
21. “Cover Me” – Candlebox
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – D – Cadd9
“Cover Me” from Candlebox’s debut album is a fantastic acoustic song, particularly suitable if you’re just starting your guitar journey with guitar music chords songs. The strumming pattern is quite basic, and the tempo is ideal for practicing smooth and accurate chord changes. This song allows you to focus on clean transitions between chords and develop a steady rhythm, crucial skills for playing guitar music chords songs effectively.
Listen: “Cover Me” – Candlebox
22. “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Em – D7
The second Van Morrison song on our list, “Brown Eyed Girl,” is another upbeat and easy acoustic guitar song that’s simply fun to strum and learn guitar music chords songs. Its cheerful melody and straightforward chord progression make it a go-to song for practicing basic chords and improving your strumming technique. “Brown Eyed Girl” is perfect for lifting your spirits and making your guitar practice sessions enjoyable while mastering guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
23. “Mr. Tambourine Man” – Bob Dylan
Key: G
Chords: G – A – D – Dsus2
Continuing with the classics, “Mr. Tambourine Man” is Bob Dylan’s second entry on this list of guitar music chords songs. This song is originally played with a capo on the 3rd fret. The chords provided here are the open form shapes relative to the capo, making it easier to learn without needing to understand capo transposition immediately. Add “Mr. Tambourine Man” to your list of easy acoustic songs to learn guitar music chords songs and enjoy its timeless appeal.
Listen: “Mr. Tambourine” – Bob Dylan
24. “Mr. Jones” – Counting Crows
Key: Am
Chords: Am – F – Dm – G – C
“Mr. Jones,” the breakout hit from Counting Crows’ debut album August and Everything After, is an excellent song for beginner guitar players learning guitar music chords songs. Its memorable melody and relatively simple chord structure make it both fun to play and rewarding to learn. “Mr. Jones” is a great choice for practicing a slightly more complex chord progression while still staying within the beginner-friendly zone of guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Mr. Jones” – Counting Crows
25. “Tangerine” – Led Zeppelin
Key: Am
Chords: Am – G – C – D – Dsus2 – Dsus4 – Asus2 – Asus4
Led Zeppelin might not be the first band that comes to mind when thinking of easy guitar music chords songs, but “Tangerine” is a delightful exception. If you’re not already familiar with it, “Tangerine” is a fantastic introduction to sus2/sus4 chords. These suspended chords add a beautiful, airy quality to the song and are easier to play than they might sound, making “Tangerine” a surprisingly accessible and enriching piece for beginner guitar music chords songs learners.
Listen: “Tangerine” – Led Zeppelin
26. “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
Just three chords—D, A, and G—are all you need to play “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Once again, CCR demonstrates that you don’t need complicated chord progressions to create a timeless and impactful song using guitar music chords songs. Its driving rhythm and simple structure make it perfect for practicing consistent strumming and quick chord changes, reinforcing the fundamentals of playing guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
27. “Into the Mystic” – Van Morrison
Key: E♭
Chords: C – G – Em – F
Another gem from Van Morrison’s Moondance album, “Into the Mystic,” is beautifully simple and perfect for guitar music chords songs beginners. A capo is used on the 3rd fret, and the chords provided (C, G, Em, F) are in open positions relative to the capo. This means you can play familiar open chord shapes to create the song’s rich and mystical sound, making it easier to learn even if you’re new to guitar music chords songs and capos.
Listen: “Into the Mystic” – Van Morrison
28. “Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd
Key: G
Chords: Em7 – A7sus4 – G – D – C – Am
Chord names like A7sus4 in “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd might initially look intimidating, but don’t let them scare you away from exploring guitar music chords songs. Despite the fancy names, these chords are quite easy to play, especially for beginner guitarists. The song’s gentle tempo and iconic melody make it a rewarding piece to learn, proving that you can tackle seemingly complex songs even early in your journey with guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd
29. “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” – Tom Petty
Key: Am
Chords: Am – G – D – Em7 – A
Tom Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” is not just easy on guitar music chords songs but also offers a great opportunity to explore dynamic strumming. The song encourages you to vary your strumming intensity, adding depth and emotion to your playing. Have fun experimenting with different strumming patterns and dynamics as you learn this engaging song and enhance your skills with guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” – Tom Petty
30. “Wonderwall” – Oasis
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – D – A – C
“Wonderwall” from Oasis’ (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? album is a 90s anthem and a staple for anyone learning guitar music chords songs. This song is known for its singalong quality and is also fantastic for practicing various strumming techniques. Listen closely to the original recording to capture the nuances in the strumming patterns, which add texture and interest to this otherwise simple chord progression of guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Wonderwall” – Oasis
31. “The Times They are A-Changin'” – Bob Dylan
Key: G
Chords: Em – G – Am – D – C
You could easily create an entire playlist of easy songs for beginners just from Bob Dylan’s discography, highlighting his mastery of simple yet powerful guitar music chords songs. “The Times They Are A-Changin'” is another excellent example from one of history’s greatest songwriters. Its straightforward chord progression and impactful lyrics make it a meaningful and accessible song to learn as you explore guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “The Times They Are A Changin’” – Bob Dylan
32. “When I Come Around” – Green Day
Key: G
Chords: G – D – Em – C – Am
“When I Come Around,” one of Green Day’s biggest commercial hits from their Dookie album, is incredibly versatile for learning guitar music chords songs. The chords are presented here in open chord positions for ease of learning, but they can also be played as power chords. This adaptability makes it a great song for beginners who might later want to transition to a more rock-oriented sound while playing guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “When I Come Around” – Green Days
33. “Buddy Holly” – Weezer
Key: F#m
Chords: G# – A – D – Dm – F#m – E – C#m
“Buddy Holly,” the song that launched Weezer into mainstream success from their 1994 debut album Weezer (also known as the Blue Album), is a fun and energetic choice for guitar music chords songs. While it includes a few more chords than some beginner songs, the progression is catchy and manageable. Learning “Buddy Holly” adds a 90s alternative rock flavor to your repertoire of guitar music chords songs and helps you tackle slightly more complex chord structures.
Listen: “Buddy Holly” – Weezer
34. “What’s Up?” – 4 Non Blondes
Key: A
Chords: A – Bm – D
“What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes is another fantastic three-chord song, proving again that simplicity can create powerful guitar music chords songs. This hit from their 1992 debut album Bigger, Better, Faster, More! is instantly recognizable and easy to play. Its straightforward chord progression (A, Bm, D) makes it an excellent choice for beginners to practice smooth chord transitions and build confidence playing guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “What’s Up?” – 4 Non Blondes
35. “I Won’t Back Down” – Tom Petty
Key: G
Chords: Em – D – G – C
Released in 1989, Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” has become an enduring American anthem and a great addition to your list of guitar music chords songs. Like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty was a master songwriter who crafted timeless music from simple chord progressions. “I Won’t Back Down” is no exception, offering an inspiring and easy-to-learn song for beginners exploring guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “I Won’t Back Down” – Tom Petty
36. “Small Town” – John Mellencamp
Key: G
Chords: G – D – C – Am
“Small Town,” an upbeat classic from John Mellencamp, has long been a personal favorite and is also perfect for learning guitar music chords songs. Its energetic rhythm and simple four-chord structure (G, D, C, Am) make it enjoyable to play and great for practicing strumming and chord changes. “Small Town” is a feel-good song that’s both fun to play and excellent for developing your skills with guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Small Town” – John Mellencamp
37. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Poison
Key: G
Chords: G – Cadd9 – D – C – Em
“Every Rose Has Its Thorn” is a quintessential 80s power ballad from Poison, ideal for beginners exploring guitar music chords songs. It features a straightforward strumming pattern and utilizes open chords. It truly doesn’t get much easier than this for learning guitar music chords songs while enjoying a classic ballad.
Listen: “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Poison
38. “About a Girl” – Nirvana
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – C# – C#/G# – F# – A – C
Nirvana’s “About A Girl” comes from their first album, the lesser-known Bleach, and is a surprisingly accessible song for guitar music chords songs beginners. While the chord list might appear lengthy at first glance, “About a Girl” is not complicated to play. It offers a great introduction to slightly more varied chord progressions within the comfort zone of beginner-friendly guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “About A Girl” – Nirvana
39. “Disarm” – The Smashing Pumpkins
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – Cadd9 – G – Dsus4/F# – D – Em
“Disarm,” from The Smashing Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream album, offers a blend of straightforward chords and a slightly more nuanced progression for those learning guitar music chords songs. The chords themselves are quite simple, but the sequence might require a bit of practice initially. “Disarm” is a beautiful song to learn that will challenge you slightly while remaining well within the reach of beginner guitarists exploring guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Disarm” – The Smashing Pumpkins
40. “Two Steps Behind” – Def Leppard
Key: A
Chords: A – D – G – E – F#m
“Two Steps Behind” is an acoustic ballad by Def Leppard that simplifies their hard rock sound into an accessible format for guitar music chords songs. There’s nothing overly complex here—just a straightforward chord progression (A, D, G, E, F#m) that is easy to play and sounds great. This song is perfect for practicing smooth chord transitions and enjoying a softer side of rock with guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Two Steps Behind – Def Leppard
41. “Run-Around” – Blues Traveler
Key: G
Chords: G – C – Am – D
“Run-Around” from Blues Traveler’s album Four is an upbeat and catchy song ideal for working on chord changes while playing guitar music chords songs. Its tempo and clear chord progression (G, C, Am, D) make it excellent for building speed and accuracy in your transitions. “Run-Around” is a fun and energetic song to add to your practice routine of guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Run-Around” – Blues Traveler
42. “Free Fallin'” – Tom Petty
Key: F (capo on 3rd fret)
Chords: D – A – Dsus4 – E
“Free Fallin’,” one of Tom Petty’s all-time greatest hits from the Full Moon Fever album, is another example of his songwriting genius with guitar music chords songs simplicity. Like many of his songs, “Free Fallin'” features a simple chord progression (D, A, Dsus4, E played with a capo on the 3rd fret for original key) that creates an unforgettable song that’s easy to play. It’s a must-learn for any beginner guitarist exploring guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Free Fallin’” – Tom Petty
43. “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
Key: Bm
Chords: Bm – A – G – Em – D – A – C
“Comfortably Numb,” the second Pink Floyd song from The Wall on this list, is iconic for its guitar solos but surprisingly easy in its chord structure for guitar music chords songs. Guitar solos aside, the slow tempo and extensive use of open chords make “Comfortably Numb” very accessible for beginner guitar players. It’s a fantastic song to learn to play recognizable guitar music chords songs while building your chord vocabulary.
Listen: “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
44. “Love Me Do” – The Beatles
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D
For beginner guitar players looking for the simplest guitar music chords songs, it truly doesn’t get much easier than “Love Me Do” by The Beatles. This early Beatles hit is built on just three chords: G, C, and D. Its simplicity makes it an ideal first song to learn, offering quick success and encouragement as you start your journey with guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Love Me Do” – The Beatles
45. “Seven Turns” – The Allman Brothers Band
Key: G
Chords: C – G – Em – D – C/B
While The Allman Brothers Band are known for complex instrumental pieces, “Seven Turns” stands out as beginner-friendly within their catalog of guitar music chords songs. This song is definitely within the realm of a beginner guitarist, making it a great way to start exploring Southern rock early in your learning journey. “Seven Turns” introduces slightly more varied chord changes while remaining accessible for those new to guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Seven Turns” – The Allman Brother Band
46. “Rain King” – Counting Crows
Key: D
Chords: D – A – Bm – G – E
“Rain King,” another standout track from Counting Crows’ great album August and Everything After, is an uptempo song perfect for practicing chord changes while playing guitar music chords songs. Its lively pace and engaging chord progression (D, A, Bm, G, E) make it both fun to play and effective for developing your dexterity and speed in transitioning between guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Rain King” – Counting Crows
47. “Heart of Gold” – Neil Young
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – D – Em – G – C
Neil Young, much like Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, is celebrated for his ability to craft timeless music using simple chord progressions in his guitar music chords songs. “Heart of Gold” is a perfect example, showcasing how a few well-chosen chords can create a song that resonates deeply. Its gentle rhythm and straightforward chords make it ideal for beginner guitarists exploring guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Heart of Gold” – Neil Young
48. “Polly” – Nirvana
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – C – D – B♭
“Polly” from Nirvana’s Nevermind album is a straightforward acoustic song that contrasts with their louder, more famous tracks but is perfect for guitar music chords songs beginners. Its simple chord progression (Em, G, C, D, B♭) and acoustic arrangement make it very accessible to learn. “Polly” is a great choice for practicing a quieter, more intimate style of playing guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Polly” – Nirvana
49. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” – The Proclaimers
Key: E
Chords: E – A – B – C#m – F#m
“I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers offers a unique opportunity to practice a staccato style strumming pattern while learning guitar music chords songs. The song’s upbeat tempo and repetitive chord structure (E, A, B, C#m, F#m) make it ideal for developing rhythmic precision and a distinctive strumming technique. This song is both fun and technically beneficial for those mastering guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” – The Proclaimers
50. “3am” – Matchbox Twenty
Key: G
Chords: G – Cadd9 – D – Em
“3am” from Matchbox Twenty’s Yourself or Someone Like You album is a catchy and popular song that utilizes easy-to-play open chords for guitar music chords songs. Its memorable melody and straightforward chord progression (G, Cadd9, D, Em) make it a great choice for beginners looking to learn contemporary guitar music chords songs that are both enjoyable and accessible.
Listen: “3AM” – Matchbox Twenty
51. “Simple Man” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Key: C
Chords: C – G – Am
“Simple Man,” another three-chord masterpiece from Lynyrd Skynyrd, perfectly embodies the beauty of simplicity in guitar music chords songs. While the recorded version features arpeggiated chords, you can just as effectively strum the chords (C, G, Am) and it still sounds fantastic and is easy to play. This song is a testament to how much can be achieved with just a few basic guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Simple Man” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
52. “Wild Thing” – The Troggs
Key: A
Chords: A – D – E – G
What list of easy guitar music chords songs would be complete without “Wild Thing” by The Troggs? For the most part, it’s based on a simple 1-4-5 chord progression (A, D, E in the key of A), making it incredibly easy to grasp. This classic song is a fun and energetic way to round out your beginner’s repertoire of guitar music chords songs.
Listen: “Wild Thing” – The Troggs
Wrap Up: Your Journey with Guitar Music Chords Songs Starts Now
Starting to learn guitar music chords songs right from the beginning is crucial for staying motivated and engaged. After all, playing songs is likely why you picked up the instrument in the first place! This list provides a diverse collection of 52 songs designed to keep your learning process enjoyable and sustain your motivation to play throughout your first year and beyond.
Once you feel ready to tackle lead guitar, explore our Easy Guitar Solos lesson for solos that are perfectly tailored for beginner players. This is a natural next step after mastering these guitar music chords songs.
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Stop Feeling Lost on the Fretboard!
Establish a strong foundation and confidently navigate your guitar fretboard with Guitar Essentials: Foundational Fretboard Navigation. This resource is designed to complement your learning of guitar music chords songs by enhancing your overall understanding of the guitar.
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