Learning guitar can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you’re new to music. Juggling chords, rhythms, and two hands working independently can seem like decoding a secret language!
Young girl engrossed in playing guitar, highlighting the focus needed for beginners
If you’ve played piano, some guitar concepts might click faster. But for total beginners, understanding chords, reading music, and connecting notes to the fretboard can be a real puzzle.
But don’t worry, help is here!
This page is your starting point for Guitar Sheet Music For Beginners. We offer easy songs and exercises designed to make learning the guitar clear and enjoyable.
Let’s dive in and demystify guitar playing together!
Essential Guitar Worksheets for New Learners
To kickstart your guitar journey, having the right tools is key. Worksheets can be incredibly helpful for visualizing the fretboard, learning chords, and understanding tablature.
Beginner guitar chords chart, showcasing fundamental chords for practice
Beginner Guitar Chords: Start with the basics! These charts feature simple chords, some requiring just a single finger, perfect for building initial finger strength and coordination.
A and Am guitar chord chart, demonstrating two common beginner chords
Big Guitar Chord Charts: Larger charts are excellent visual aids for beginners. Feel free to write on them as you learn, marking finger positions and chord names for better memorization.
Guitar flashcards for note recognition practice
Flashcards for Guitar: Get comfortable reading notes on the treble clef with these flashcards. This is a crucial step in bridging the gap between sheet music and the guitar fretboard.
Explore all available Guitar Worksheets HERE.
Very Easy Guitar Tabs to Get You Playing Songs Quickly
Tablature, or “tabs,” is a simplified way to read music for guitar. It shows you exactly which fret and string to play, making it ideal for beginners to learn songs quickly.
Twelve bar blues bass line guitar tab, introducing blues basics for beginners
12-Bar Blues: Introduce yourself to the blues! Start with a simple bass line to understand the structure of this iconic musical form.
All Through the Night lullaby guitar tab, featuring a gentle and easy-to-learn melody
All Through the Night: This beautiful lullaby might seem complex with its chords, but the tab is incredibly beginner-friendly, using only 0, 2, and 4 on the fretboard.
Boil Em Cabbage Down guitar tab, showing a simple melody for flat-picking practice
Boil’em Cabbage Down: Learn both the melody and basic A-D-E chords with this song. It’s excellent for practicing the “Down, Down-Up” picking pattern.
Canoe Song guitar chords, demonstrating a song with a single chord for ultimate simplicity
Canoe Song: A fun, driving melody with just one chord! This Canadian folk song is a hit with kids.
Open Strings Guitar Exercises, designed to familiarize beginners with the fretboard
Easiest Guitar Tab to Play: These four exercises focus on open strings, helping you understand the string and fret layout of your guitar.
God is So Good guitar tab, offering an easy melody suitable for young learners
God is Good (or God is So Good): A sweet and simple melody that works well for both tabs and chords. Beginners can use a simplified “baby F” chord here.
Home on the Range guitar tab, featuring a simple arrangement for early learners
Home On The Range: Start with the easy arrangement using “baby chords.” A fancier version with more complex chords is also available for later.
Jingle Bells guitar tab, a classic Christmas tune made easy for beginner guitar
Jingle Bells: A must-learn Christmas song that’s surprisingly simple for beginners. This arrangement uses just two chords, with a four-chord version also available.
Mary Had a Little Lamb guitar tab, a nursery rhyme adapted for easy guitar playing
Mary Had a Little Lamb: This well-known nursery rhyme is perfect for beginners, using only two chords and easy tabs.
Monsters Everywhere Halloween guitar sheet music, a spooky song for young guitarists
Monsters Everywhere Halloween Guitar Sheet Music: A fun, spooky Halloween song with easy-to-learn lyrics and a simple melody.
Old Joe Clark guitar tab, a fun and singable tune for beginner guitar practice
Old Joe Clark: Enjoy the goofy words and catchy tune of this fun song, great for singing and playing.
Pizza Please guitar tab, using the Hot Cross Buns melody for familiarity
Pizza Please (Hot Cross Buns Melody): An incredibly easy song, familiar to many from band class.
Sharks guitar tabs, mimicking the Jaws theme for a recognizable and engaging tune
Sharks Easy Guitar Tabs: Tell your students it’s almost the “Jaws” theme song, and they’ll be hooked!
Shortnin Bread guitar tab, featuring repetition for easy learning of melody and chords
Shortnin’ Bread: Repetitive and cute, this song is easy to learn with both tabs and two basic chords.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star guitar tab, a universally recognized melody for beginners
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star: Familiar tunes are excellent motivators for beginner guitarists.
Hymns, Carols, & Anthems: Simple & Meaningful Guitar Music
Explore a collection of hymns, carols, and anthems arranged for beginner guitar. These songs offer beautiful melodies and often simple chord progressions, making them perfect for practice and performance.
All Through the Night lullaby guitar tab, featuring a gentle and easy-to-learn melody
All Through the Night: A lovely song popular with young singers. Mastering it on guitar is a rewarding experience.
Amazing Grace hymn guitar tab, a classic hymn arranged in an easy key for guitar
Amazing Grace: This timeless hymn is easy to play in the key of G (also available in C).
America – My Country Tis of Thee guitar tab, a patriotic song for beginners
America – My Country, ‘Tis of Thee: A patriotic classic with a familiar melody.
Angels We Have Heard On High Christmas guitar tab, a festive carol for holiday playing
Angels We Have Heard On High: A beautiful Christmas carol known for its “Glo-o-o-o-o-ria” section.
Ave Maria sheet music with guitar chords, offering a classical piece in multiple keys
Ave Maria Sheet Music: Lead sheets with chords in multiple keys. This Bach/Gounod piece is offered in Latin and English versions.
Away in a Manger Christmas guitar tab, a simple carol for beginner practice
Away in a Manger: A simple and easy-to-play Christmas carol.
Be Thou My Vision hymn lead sheet, a traditional hymn with guitar chords
Be Thou My Vision: An old and beautiful hymn with lead sheets available.
Carol of the Bells classical guitar tab, a challenging yet fun Christmas piece
Carol of the Bells Guitar Tab: A more challenging Christmas song, but fun to learn.
Christ Arose sheet music with guitar chords, an Easter hymn with easy chords and tabs
Christ Arose Sheet Music: An Easter hymn with easy chords in the key of C and tabs.
Come Ye Sinners Beach Spring melody lead sheet, a gospel hymn with guitar chords
Come Ye Sinners (Beach Spring Melody): An old gospel hymn with a catchy melody and guitar chords.
Come Ye Sinners treble clef sheet music, a hymn in a minor key for piano (other keys available)
Come Ye Sinners (I Will Arise and Go to Jesus): A hymn in a minor key with a haunting melody (piano arrangement shown, other keys available).
Deck the Halls Christmas carol guitar tab, offering high and low melody versions
Deck the Halls Free Christmas Songs: Christmas carol with high and low melody versions.
Doxology lead sheet, a short and well-known hymn with guitar chords
Doxology: The well-known short hymn “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…”
Entre le boeuf Christmas music lead sheet, a French carol with guitar chords
Entre le boeuf Christmas Music (Between the Ox and Donkey): A lovely, less familiar Christmas carol from France with guitar chords.
Farther On melody line lead sheet, a hymn about a better place with guitar chords
Farther On: A sweet hymn about a better place, with chords and lyrics.
For Health and Strength Thanksgiving round guitar tab, a simple round for Thanksgiving
For Health & Strength & Daily Bread Prayer for Thanksgiving: A simple round for Thanksgiving with tabs and chords.
For the Beauty of the Earth hymn sheet music, a Thanksgiving song with guitar chords
For the Beauty of the Earth Thanksgiving Song: Another Thanksgiving hymn, featured in “Little Women.”
The Friendly Beasts Christmas carol guitar tab, using basic and secondary chords
The Friendly Beasts: This carol uses a few secondary chords (Am & Dm) but works well with just the main three.
Gabrielle Address Heaven song sheet, a comforting song for mourners
Gabrielle: Address Heaven: A comforting song written for mourners.
Gaudete medieval music guitar tab, an old Latin hymn for Christmas
Gaudete (Rejoice!) Free Christmas Vocal Sheet Music: An old Latin hymn of praise with a classical feel.
God is So Good guitar tab, offering an easy melody suitable for young learners
God is So Good (or God is Good): A short, sweet, and easy-to-learn song.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing guitar tab, a popular Christmas carol with guitar tabs
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing: A popular Christmas carol with guitar tabs and piano arrangement available.
I Love You Lord sheet music with guitar tab, an easy melody with finger-picking potential
I Love You Sheet Music: A very easy guitar melody with simple chords and finger-picking opportunities.
Ill Fly Away guitar tab, a lively hymn about heaven with guitar tabs
I’ll Fly Away: A popular and vigorous hymn about going to heaven, with easy guitar tabs.
Jingle Bells guitar tab with fancier chords, a Christmas song with simple and complex versions
Jingle Bells Guitar Chords and Tabs: Versions available with both simple and more complex chords (C, F, D7, G, G7).
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas guitar tab, a fun Christmas song for kids
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas: A fun and nostalgic Christmas song for kids.
Joy to the World guitar tab, a joyful Christmas carol with multiple arrangements
Joy to the World Lyrics and Guitar Tabs: Multiple arrangements available for this joyful carol.
Just As I Am hymn guitar tab, a soul-stirring hymn with simple chords
Just As I Am Without One Plea: A beautiful and soul-stirring hymn with just three chords.
Kum Ba Yah guitar tab, a sweet and simple folk song
Kum Ba Yah: A sweet song that asks God to come near.
Lo I Bring You Tidings guitar tab, a modern Christmas carol with biblical lyrics
Lo I Bring You Tidings Christmas Carol Lyrics: A modern Christmas carol with lyrics from the Bible.
Ode to Joy guitar tab, a classical piece arranged for beginner guitar
Ode to Joy Guitar Music for Beginners: Features standard notation and “helper” tablature for beginners.
On Christmas Night violin duet sheet music, also playable on guitar or other treble instruments
On Christmas Night: A violin duet that can also be played on guitar.
Silent Night guitar tab, a peaceful Christmas carol with tabs and chords
Silent Night Chords, Lyrics and Tabs: Available in multiple arrangements, including guitar solo.
Sing We Noel lead sheet, a French carol with multiple key options for chords
Sing We Noel: A French Christmas carol with chords in numerous keys.
Softly and Tenderly hymn sheet music, a contemplative hymn for guitar
Softly and Tenderly Free Hymn Sheet Music: A contemplative hymn about going home.
Sweet Hour of Prayer hymn guitar tab, a hymn with a pretty melody and scriptural lyrics
Sweet Hour of Prayer Hymn Music: A pretty melody with meaningful lyrics.
Up On the Housetop lead sheet, a joyous Christmas carol with guitar chords
Up On the Housetop Easy Kids’ Christmas Piano Sheet Music: Features chords for guitar, a joyous carol with simple “I, IV, & V” chords.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas guitar tab, an energetic carol with easy guitar chords
We Wish You a Merry Christmas Chords, Tabs, and Lyrics: An energetic Christmas carol with easy guitar chords.
What Child is This guitar tab, using the Greensleeves melody for Christmas
What Child is This Christmas Sheet Music: “Greensleeves” melody with Christmas lyrics, in a lute-like arrangement.
What Wondrous Love, Two Different Melodies: Features the familiar version and a “bluegrass” or Shape Note melody.
What Wondrous Love choral sheet music, a 4-part harmony arrangement
What Wondrous Love with 4-Part Harmony: Choral arrangement of the “bluegrass” melody.
When He Cometh lead sheet with guitar tab, a hymn about children's preciousness
When He Cometh: Also known as “Jewels,” a hymn about the preciousness of children, using three main chords.
Classical Guitar Pieces for Beginners
Explore the world of classical guitar with these beginner-friendly pieces. Classical guitar music often focuses on melody and fingerstyle playing, offering a different approach to guitar learning.
Spanish Study classical guitar sheet music with tabs, a beautiful piece for beginners
Allegro classical guitar sheet music, a Giuliani piece based on chord shapes
Allegro Classical Guitar Sheet Music: From “Le Papillon” (The Butterfly) by Giuliani. Looks complex but is based on simple chord shapes.
Carol of the Bells classical guitar tab, a challenging yet fun Christmas piece
Carol of the Bells Guitar Tab: Classical style arrangement of this Christmas song.
Jesu Joy of Mans Desiring duet sheet music, a Bach piece arranged for two guitars
Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring Duet: Bach’s well-loved piece arranged as a duet for guitars.
Ode to Joy guitar tab, a classical piece arranged for beginner guitar
Ode to Joy Guitar Music for Beginners: Standard notation provided to encourage note reading practice.
Spanish Study classical guitar sheet music with tabs, extended version for classical practice
Spanish Study: A beautiful and popular first classical piece for young guitarists.
Viva la Musica guitar tab, a round melody for ensemble playing
Viva la Musica: A simple melody that is a round, challenging for ensemble playing and listening skills.
Flatpicking Guitar and Fiddle Pieces for Energetic Practice
For those who enjoy faster tempos and bluegrass or fiddle-style music, these flatpicking pieces are excellent for developing speed and dexterity.
Arkansas Traveler flatpicking guitar tab, a famous American song in two keys
Arkansas Traveler flatpicking guitar tab in key of G, another key version for practice
Arkansas Traveler: A famous American song in keys of C and G.
Bonaparte Crossing the Rocky Mountains bluegrass guitar tab, a minor key piece with a great melody
Bonaparte Crossing the Rocky Mountains: A minor key bluegrass piece with a distinctive melody.
The Butterfly Irish fiddle sheet music, a popular Celtic tune
The Butterfly – Free Irish Fiddle Sheet Music: Popularized by Celtic Woman, an exciting and energetic tune.
Camptown Races flatpicking guitar tab, a Stephen Foster classic for guitar
Camptown Races: A classic American song by Stephen Foster.
Devils Dream flatpicking guitar tab, a fast-paced piece for skill development
Devil’s Dream Free Guitar Tabs: Excellent for developing speed and flatpicking skills.
June Apple violin and guitar tabs, a fun song for both instruments
June Apple Violin Tabs and Guitar Tabs: A fun and lively tune for fiddle and guitar.
Maris Wedding flatpicking guitar tab, an energetic song with singable lyrics
Mari’s Wedding: Energetic and cute song with lyrics to sing.
Musical Priest violin sheet music, a minor key piece for violin and guitar
Musical Priest Free Printable Violin Music: A minor key piece with opportunities to learn ornaments.
Redhaired Boy fiddle and guitar tabs, a studio favorite in two keys
Redhaired Boy: A studio favorite in keys of A and G for fiddle or guitar.
Road to Lisdoonvarna fiddle sheet music, a catchy tune in plain and fancy versions
Road to Lisdoonvarna Free Fiddle Sheet Music: Catchy tune in plain and fancy versions for fiddle and guitar.
Sleepsong sheet music for piano voice and guitar, transposed for easier guitar playing
Sleepsong: Beautiful song transposed to Em to be easier for beginner guitarists.
Spanish Lady guitar tab, a bouncy and energetic tune
Spanish Lady: A fun and bouncy song with high energy.
Ten-Penny Bit: A great fiddle melody and fun flatpicking piece in a minor key.
Folk and Traditional Songs for Guitar Beginners
Folk and traditional songs are a rich source of beginner guitar music. They often feature simple chord progressions and memorable melodies, perfect for learning and practicing.
Camptown Races flatpicking guitar tab, a Stephen Foster classic for guitar
Ale is Dear fiddle sheet music, a pretty violin trio adaptable for guitar
Ale is Dear Fiddle Sheet Music for Beginners: A pretty violin trio, with one part almost a single-note drone, adaptable for guitar.
All the Pretty Little Horses lullaby guitar tab, a gentle lullaby in two keys
All the Pretty Little Horses: A lullaby with repeating melody lines, in two keys for guitar.
All Through the Night lullaby guitar tab, featuring a gentle and easy-to-learn melody
All Through the Night: Lullaby with poetic lyrics and guitar tabs in key of D.
Ash Grove folk guitar tab, an old Welsh song
Ash Grove: An old and pretty song from Wales.
Aura Lea Love Me Tender guitar tab, a Civil War era song made famous by Elvis
Aura Lea: Love Me Tender Sheet Music: Civil War era song, famous as “Love Me Tender,” with chords, tabs, and lyrics.
Blow the Candles Out lead sheet, a song with a memorable melody
Blow the Candles Out, Lead Sheets Free to Print: Song with an unforgettable melody.
Camptown Races flatpicking guitar tab, a Stephen Foster classic for guitar
Camptown Races: Solo and duet versions available.
The Cat Came Back guitar tab, a fun song with silly lyrics
Cat Came Back Lyrics and Chords: Fun song with silly lyrics and a repeating chord pattern.
Colorado Trail folk guitar song tab, a sweet cowboy song
Colorado Trail Song: A surprisingly sweet cowboy song.
Come By the Hills folk guitar song tab, a Gaelic tune with English lyrics
Come By the Hills: Pretty Gaelic song with simple chords and English lyrics.
Dona Nobis Pacem folk guitar round tab, a beautiful Latin round
Dona Nobis Pacem: Beautiful Latin round, can also be sung as a solo.
Down in the Valley folk guitar song tab, a super easy two-chord song
Down in the Valley: Super-easy two-chord song, perfect for fingerpicking practice.
Erie Canal folk guitar song tab, an energetic old favorite
The Erie Canal Song: Energetic and kid-friendly old favorite.
Found a Peanut folk guitar song tab, a two-chord song with silly words
Found a Peanut: Two-chord song with silly words, ideal for first lessons.
Goober Peas folk guitar song tab, a challenging but rewarding song
Goober Peas: Initially challenging due to quick chord changes, but rewarding practice.
Greensleeves folk guitar tab, a beautiful melody in three guitar versions
Greensleeves: Beautiful old melody in three guitar versions with tablature.
Grenadier and the Lady folk guitar tab, a sad and lovely minor song
The Grenadier and the Lady: Beautiful minor song with fingerpicking opportunities.
Happy Birthday guitar tab, now with tabs in G and D
Happy Birthday: Guitar tabs in keys of G and D, with lead sheets in multiple keys also available.
Heigh Ho Nobody Home folk guitar round tab, an easy and satisfying round
Heigh Ho, Nobody Home: Easy and satisfying minor round.
Home on the Range folk guitar tab, simple and fancy arrangements available
Home on the Range Free Tabs & Lyrics: Simple 3-chord arrangement and fancier versions available.
I Gave My Love a Cherry sheet music, a riddle song with chords
I Gave My Love a Cherry – The Riddle Song: Lovely song with a lyrical mystery, chords provided.
I Love the Mountains folk guitar song tab, used to teach chord switching
I Love the Mountains Guitar Chords & Tabs: Used to teach chord switching between G, Em, C, and D7.
Ive Been Working on the Railroad folk guitar song tab, a fun song with historical lyrics
I’ve Been Working On the Railroad Guitar Tabs and Chords: Fun song with lyrics hinting at an earlier time.
Kum Ba Yah guitar tab, a sweet and simple folk song
Kum Ba Yah: Sweet old folk song, possibly from Africa.
Loch Lomond folk guitar song tab, a famous Scottish song
Loch Lomond Lyrics, Chords and Guitar Tabs: Favorite and famous song from Scotland.
Minstrel Boy folk guitar song tab, a patriotic and lyrical Irish song
Minstrel Boy Free Irish Sheet Music: Patriotic and beautiful Irish song, good for teens.
O Susannah folk guitar song tab, a classic American western song
O Susannah: Favorite old song of the American West, with solo and duet versions.
On Top of Old Smokey folk guitar song tab, a fun kids' song
On Top of Old Smokey: Fun kids’ song, good practice for three main chords and transposing.
Scarborough Fair folk guitar tab, a timeless and lovely piece
Scarborough Fair: Timeless and lovely piece, great for fingerpicking technique.
Shenandoah folk guitar tab, a distinctly American song
Shenandoah: Beautiful and distinctly American song, lovely for fingerpicking.
Shortnin Bread guitar tab, featuring repetition for easy learning of melody and chords
Shortnin’ Bread: Cute and easy American song, just two chords for beginners.
Skye Boat Song folk guitar tab, a pretty song from Scotland
Skye Boat Song: Pretty song from Scotland about Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape.
Slumber My Darling folk guitar song tab, a sweet lullaby by Stephen Foster
Slumber, My Darling: Sweet lullaby by Stephen Foster.
Spanish Ladies folk guitar sea shanty tab, a rousing sea shanty for young players
Spanish Ladies: Rousing sea shanty, popular with young boys, good chord practice.
Spanish Lady guitar tab, a bouncy and energetic tune
The Spanish Lady: Cute and energetic song about admiring a Spanish lady.
Star of the County Down folk guitar song tab, a studio favorite with doubled timing arrangement
Star of the County Down Guitar Tabs and Chords: Studio favorite, arrangement with “doubled timing” to help beginners.
Streets of Laredo folk guitar song tab, a sad cowboy song
Streets of Laredo: Sad but pretty song about a dying cowboy.
Sweet Betsy From Pike folk guitar song tab, a fun American ballad
Sweet Betsy From Pike Guitar Chords & Tabs: Fun American ballad with lyrics in keys of G and C.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star guitar tab, a universally recognized melody for beginners
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Music: Sheet music for guitar and violin, with tabs and chords.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star violin strings notes, teaching resource for young learners
Twinkle Violin Strings Notes: Resource for teaching “Twinkle” to young students.
Wabash Cannonball folk guitar song tab, an energetic song about a train
Wabash Cannonball: Energetic song about a famous train.
Waltzing Matilda folk guitar song tab, a beautiful Australian song
Waltzing Matilda: Beautiful and popular song from Australia.
Water is Wide folk guitar song tab, a pretty song about love betrayed
Water is Wide, Easy Guitar Songs: Pretty song about love betrayed, memorable melody and chords.
Wellerman folk guitar sea shanty tab, a fun and swingy sea shanty
The Wellerman Sheet Music: Fun sea shanty with swingy chords and easy melody.
What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor folk guitar sea shanty tab, an energetic and fun piece
What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor Chords & Melody for Guitar & Fiddle: Easy and energetic sea shanty.
White Orange and Green folk guitar song tab, a patriotic Irish song
White, Orange and Green Free Irish Sheet Music: Patriotic Irish song with satisfying chords for fingerpicking.
Lead Sheets for Guitar Practice
Lead sheets provide the melody line and chords of a song, allowing for flexibility in playing style and arrangement. They are a valuable resource for learning to improvise and create your own guitar parts.
When He Cometh lead sheet with guitar tab, a hymn about children's preciousness
All the Pretty Little Horses lead sheet with guitar tab, another lead sheet example
All the Pretty Little Horses: Repeating melody line, confidence-building and pretty song.
Amazing Grace lead sheet with guitar tab, a familiar melody for lead sheet practice
Amazing Grace: Easy guitar tabs for a famous melody, good for string-skipping practice.
Boil Em Cabbage Down lead sheet with guitar tab, perfect for flatpicking stroke practice
Boil’em Cabbage Down: Perfect for introducing the “Down, Down-Up” flatpicking stroke.
Explore more lead sheets HERE.
Beginner Guitar Books and Resources
While free sheet music is a fantastic starting point, having structured learning materials can significantly enhance your progress. Consider these highly recommended beginner guitar books:
Progressive Books for Young Beginners: Excellent for young children learning to read music. These books introduce one new note at a time and avoid tablature, focusing on standard notation.
Mel Bay’s Easiest Country Guitar for Children: A cleverly designed book starting with basic guitar concepts and progressing to simple tunes with tabs, standard notation, and chord symbols.
Alfred “Kids Guitar Course” Books 1: A top recommendation for young kids, starting with the “baby” C chord and gradually introducing more chords and strumming patterns.
Usborne’s Very Easy Guitar Tunes: This book focuses solely on standard notation, forcing students to read the treble staff with progressively challenging tunes and duets.
Mel Bay American Fiddle Method, Vol. 1: While a fiddle method book, it’s excellent for guitarists wanting to play along with fiddle tunes and learn common chords (A, D, E, E7).
These resources, combined with consistent practice and the wealth of free guitar sheet music provided above, will set you on the path to becoming a confident guitar player!
Start exploring the music and enjoy your guitar journey!
