Are you eager to start playing guitar but feel overwhelmed by traditional music notation? You’re not alone! Many beginners find standard notation daunting, and that’s where Simple Guitar Tabs come to the rescue. Tablature, or tabs, is a user-friendly system that visually represents the guitar fretboard, making it incredibly easy to learn your favorite songs quickly. Forget complex sheet music; guitar tabs are your shortcut to playing music now.
For centuries, guitarists have used forms of tablature, and thankfully, it’s still incredibly relevant today. Think of simple guitar tabs as a musical cheat sheet, allowing you to bypass years of music theory and get straight to playing. With the rise of the internet, accessing tabs has never been easier. Websites like OLGA (Online Guitar Archive) in the early days paved the way for platforms like Ultimate Guitar, making a vast library of songs available at your fingertips.
Ready to dive in? We’ve compiled a list of 50 simple guitar tabs perfect for beginners and instructors. These songs are not only easy to learn but also incredibly fun to play. They provide a solid foundation for your guitar journey and cover a range of genres to keep things interesting.
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This curated list focuses on songs that meet these beginner-friendly criteria:
- Easy to Play and Enjoy: These songs are designed to be accessible and rewarding for new guitarists.
- Quick Learning Curve: You’ll be playing these tunes in no time, boosting your confidence and motivation.
- Reliable Tabs Available: We’ve linked to trusted sources for accurate and easy-to-read tablature.
- Variety for Everyone: From rock anthems to pop classics, there’s something here for every musical taste.
Whether you’re a student picking up the guitar for the first time or an instructor seeking accessible material for your students, this list of simple guitar tabs is your go-to resource. Let’s get started!
50 Simple Guitar Tabs For Beginners and Instructors
Here are 50 simple guitar tabs, presented in no particular order, ready for you to explore.
Seven Nation Army (White Stripes)
This iconic riff from The White Stripes is instantly recognizable and incredibly easy to play, making it a fantastic starting point. It’s primarily a single-note riff played on the E string, perfect for developing your picking hand technique. The song is in Open A tuning, which simplifies the chord progression in the chorus. It’s also a great introduction to slide guitar basics.
Seven Nation Army (White Stripes) Tabs
Seven Nation Army (White Stripes) YouTube
Zombie (The Cranberries)
“Zombie” by The Cranberries is built around a simple four-chord progression (Em–Cmaj7–G–D/F#), making it excellent for practicing basic chord changes. The verse uses easy first-position chords, while the chorus transitions to power chords, introducing you to different chord voicings. The single-note melodies are also relatively straightforward, helping you work on legato phrasing.
Zombie (The Cranberries) YouTube
You Really Got Me (The Kinks)
This classic Kinks track is a power chord anthem! It’s perfect for getting your power chord technique down and building rhythm guitar skills. The main riff is repetitive and easy to memorize, making it a satisfying song to learn quickly. It’s also a popular song for beginner bands to tackle.
You Really Got Me (The Kinks) Tabs
You Really Got Me (The Kinks) YouTube
Clocks (Coldplay)
While originally a piano riff, the guitar tab version of “Clocks” by Coldplay is cleverly arranged to be beginner-friendly. The main riff can be approached as an arpeggio exercise, helping you develop fingerpicking or hybrid picking skills. The chord progression is simple and repetitive, allowing you to focus on timing and rhythm.
All the Small Things (Blink 182)
“All the Small Things” by Blink-182 is a quintessential pop-punk song that’s fantastic for learning power chords and palm muting. It’s a high-energy song with a simple structure, perfect for practicing rhythm guitar in a rock style. This track is a go-to for instructors introducing rock guitar techniques to beginners.
All the Small Things (Blink 182) Tabs
All the Small Things (Blink 182) YouTube
Louie Louie (Motorhead Cover)
Originally by The Kingsmen, the Motorhead cover of “Louie Louie” injects a dose of rock and roll into this three-chord garage classic. Both versions are in the key of A and use simple chord progressions, making it ideal for practicing basic strumming and chord transitions. The Motorhead version adds a rhythmic variation, offering a slightly different challenge.
Louie Louie (Motorhead Cover) Tabs
Louie Louie (Motorhead Cover) YouTube
Closing Time (Semisonic)
“Closing Time” by Semisonic features a catchy four-chord riff that combines power chords and octave riffs. The tabs often include the main piano riff adapted for guitar, adding another layer of interest. It’s a great song for exploring different textures with a limited number of chords and learning how piano parts can be translated to guitar.
Closing Time (Semisonic) YouTube
Summer of ‘69 (Bryan Adams)
Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69” is an 80s anthem that utilizes syncopated eighth-note strumming with open chords and arpeggios. The simple guitar tabs often include the keyboard riff adapted for guitar, as well as the lead guitar outro riffs. This song is excellent for developing strumming patterns and learning to play keyboard melodies on guitar.
Summer of ‘69 (Bryan Adams) Tabs
Summer of ‘69 (Bryan Adams) YouTube
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Mony Mony (Billy Idol)
Billy Idol’s version of “Mony Mony” (originally by Tommy James and the Shondells) is a high-energy rock track driven by steady eighth-note rhythms and power chords. It’s a fantastic song for building stamina in your strumming hand and getting comfortable with distorted power chords. The repetitive nature of the song makes it easy to learn and memorize.
Mony Mony (Billy Idol) YouTube
Landslide (Fleetwood Mac)
“Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac is a beautiful acoustic ballad that focuses on fingerpicking. The chords are open-position (C–G/B–Am and G–D/F#–Em) played with a capo at the 3rd fret, making them accessible to beginners. While the fingerpicking pattern might take a little practice, it’s a rewarding song for developing fingerstyle technique and playing softer, more melodic music.
Landslide (Fleetwood Mac) Tabs
Landslide (Fleetwood Mac) YouTube
Sunshine of Your Love (Cream)
Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love” is a blues-rock classic built around two simple pentatonic blues riffs and a basic three-chord progression. It’s a rite of passage for guitarists learning to turn the pentatonic scale into bluesy riffs. This song is essential for understanding blues scales and classic rock riff construction.
Sunshine of Your Love (Cream) Tabs
Sunshine of Your Love (Cream) YouTube
TNT (AC DC) – Simple Beginner Tab
AC/DC’s “TNT” is power chord simplicity at its finest. It’s a foundational rock riff that every guitarist should know. The song is built on open-position power chords and eighth notes, with a syncopated rhythm that adds a fun challenge. “TNT” is perfect for solidifying your power chord basics and rhythmic accuracy.
Breaking the Law (Judas Priest)
Judas Priest’s “Breaking the Law” features a driving riff based on quarter notes and syncopated eighth notes in the A natural minor scale. It incorporates power chords and sliding power chords, introducing you to more dynamic riff techniques. This song is great for practicing minor scales and adding a bit of metal edge to your repertoire.
Breaking the Law (Judas Priest) Tabs
Breaking the Law (Judas Priest) YouTube
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC DC)
Another AC/DC classic, “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” uses open-string and moveable power chords for its syncopated riffs. The solo, while a bit more advanced, is rooted in pentatonic scales and blues phrasing, offering a taste of lead guitar. This song is excellent for practicing syncopation and exploring basic pentatonic licks.
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC DC) Tabs
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC DC) YouTube
Come Together (The Beatles)
The Beatles’ “Come Together” showcases their songwriting genius with a main riff that fits perfectly within the pentatonic scale box pattern. The verse uses power chords, employing the classic power 5 to power 6 movement popularized by Chuck Berry. The solo is pentatonic-based with bluesy bends, making it a melodic and accessible lead part to learn.
Come Together (The Beatles) Tabs
Come Together (The Beatles) YouTube
Paranoid (Black Sabbath)
Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” is often one of the first songs taught to beginner guitarists for good reason. It’s built on three simple power chords and palm-muted eighth-note rhythms. “Paranoid” is a foundational song for learning power chords, palm muting, and the basics of heavy metal rhythm guitar.
Paranoid (Black Sabbath) YouTube
Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple)
Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” is perhaps the quintessential beginner guitar riff. It introduces inverted power chords and arpeggiated rhythms, and is instantly recognizable. Learning “Smoke on the Water” is a rite of passage for any aspiring guitarist and a great introduction to Ritchie Blackmore’s style.
Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple) Tabs
Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple) YouTube
Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)
Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” revolutionized music and its main riff is surprisingly accessible to beginners. It features power chords, percussive strumming, and a simple two-note verse riff. The solo is also pentatonic-based, making it a grunge anthem that’s also beginner-friendly.
Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana) Tabs
Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana) YouTube
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Come As You Are (Nirvana)
“Come As You Are” by Nirvana continues their tradition of accessible riffs, albeit with a slightly darker edge due to the tuning being a whole step down. The main riff is open-string based and moody, resonating with many beginner guitarists. It’s a great song for exploring drop tunings and simple, yet effective, riff writing.
Come As You Are (Nirvana) Tabs
Come As You Are (Nirvana) YouTube
Cocaine (Eric Clapton)
Eric Clapton’s “Cocaine” features moveable major chord riffs that are essential for every guitarist’s vocabulary. The song is a rock standard with a recognizable riff and solo that offers a preview of more advanced lead guitar techniques. It’s a must-learn for understanding major chord progressions and basic rock soloing.
Cocaine (Eric Clapton) YouTube
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Basket Case (Green Day)
Green Day’s “Basket Case” is a pop-punk anthem that’s energetic and fun to play. Tuned down a half step, it relies on power chord riffs and driving eighth-note rhythms. It’s a great song for building speed and stamina with power chords and capturing the essence of 90s pop-punk.
Basket Case (Green Day) YouTube
Everlong (Foo Fighters)
Foo Fighters’ “Everlong” showcases Dave Grohl’s rhythmic guitar style with power chords, inverted power chords, and interesting chord voicings. It’s a 90s rock staple that introduces slightly more complex rhythm guitar techniques while still being accessible to determined beginners.
Everlong (Foo Fighters) YouTube
Surrender (Cheap Trick)
Cheap Trick’s “Surrender” is a power pop classic featuring power chords, moveable chords, and slash chords (like C/G). Rick Nielsen’s energetic guitar style is captured in this song, making it a must-know for any guitarist exploring rock and roll.
Surrender (Cheap Trick) YouTube
Sweet Home Alabama (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” is a Southern rock staple with hard-rocking, whiskey-soaked riffs. It uses open-position D–C–G chords, harmonized and spiced up with open-string pentatonic fills. This song is a great introduction to Southern rock and major pentatonic scales.
Sweet Home Alabama (Lynyrd Skynyrd) Tabs
Sweet Home Alabama (Lynyrd Skynyrd) YouTube
Living After Midnight (Judas Priest)
Judas Priest’s “Living After Midnight” uses moveable major bar chords for its main riff, providing excellent practice for barre chord shapes. It also features syncopated eighth notes and a Pete Townsend-esque bridge section. The solo offers a good starting point for aspiring lead guitarists.
Living After Midnight (Judas Priest) Tabs
Living After Midnight (Judas Priest) YouTube
Hey Joe (Jimi Hendrix)
Jimi Hendrix’s “Hey Joe” is a classic that utilizes CAGED chords and a chromatic bassline riff. The intro is iconic, and the open-string double-stops are based on the E minor pentatonic scale, making it valuable for both rhythm and lead guitar practice.
Hey Joe (Jimi Hendrix) YouTube
House of the Rising Sun (The Animals)
“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals features open-string chords, which are easy to fret. The fingerpicking pattern is the main challenge but well worth learning for its iconic sound. The simple guitar tabs accurately reflect the song’s structure and nuances.
House of the Rising Sun (The Animals) Tabs
House of the Rising Sun (The Animals) YouTube
Wonderful (Everclear)
Everclear’s “Wonderful” is easy and fun to play despite its somewhat quirky intro. It uses a simple G–D–C–D chord progression, strummed or arpeggiated. The repetitive “Na na na” sections make it catchy and memorable.
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Never Can Tell (Chuck Berry)
Chuck Berry’s “(You) Never Can Tell” is pure rock and roll at its finest, featuring double-stop licks and power chord riffs. Made famous again by Pulp Fiction, it’s a fun and upbeat song to learn, showcasing Berry’s signature style.
Never Can Tell (Chuck Berry) Tabs
Never Can Tell (Chuck Berry) YouTube
Pyro (Kings of Leon)
Kings of Leon’s “Pyro” features a cool open-string main riff and arpeggiated power chords in the verse. The structure is straightforward, with only a few riffs to learn, making it a relatively quick song to add to your repertoire.
Pyro Lyrics (Kings of Leon) Tabs
Pyro YouTube (Kings of Leon) Video
Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones)
The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” is an easy and iconic jam song. Start with the chords and strum along, then add the instantly recognizable riffs. It’s a blues-rock classic and a must-learn for any guitarist.
Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones) Tabs
Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones) YouTube
Under My Thumb (The Rolling Stones)
Another Rolling Stones classic, “Under My Thumb,” is built around five chords (barre chord shapes and open-string chords). Listen closely for the cool double-stop licks and bluesy riffs that add texture to this relatively simple song.
Under My Thumb (The Rolling Stones) Tabs
Under My Thumb (The Rolling Stones) YouTube
Start Me Up (The Rolling Stones)
“Start Me Up” by The Rolling Stones features instantly recognizable and simple riffs, rumored to be played in open-G tuning (often with the 6th string removed!). Tuning to open G and following the simple guitar tabs for Guitar 1 will quickly show you how easy it is to sound like Keith Richards.
Start Me Up (The Rolling Stones) Tabs
Start Me Up (The Rolling Stones) YouTube
Stranglehold (Ted Nugent)
Ted Nugent’s “Stranglehold” might seem intimidating, but it’s based on variations of a single riff. The main movements are A5–C5–D5 and A5–G5 power chord riffs, followed by A minor pentatonic licks. It’s a great song for exploring pentatonic scales in a hard rock context.
Stranglehold (Ted Nugent) Tabs
Stranglehold (Ted Nugent) YouTube
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Down on the Corner (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Down on the Corner” is known for being easy to play, making it a popular choice for jam sessions and beginner bands. While simple, the bass riff is funky and engaging to play on guitar.
Down on the Corner (Creedence Clearwater Revival) Tabs
Down on the Corner (Creedence Clearwater Revival) YouTube
Simple Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd) – Easy Mode
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” in ‘easy mode’ (tuning down a half step) uses accessible open-position chords: C–G/B–Am. Follow the fingerpicking pattern in the tabs, then add the C5–G5–A5 power chords for a fuller sound. The A minor pentatonic section at the 17th fret adds a touch of lead guitar.
Simple Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd) Tabs
Simple Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd) YouTube
The Joker (Steve Miller Band)
Steve Miller Band’s “The Joker” puts a unique spin on the common G–C–D chord progression. It’s a feel-good classic that uses three fundamental chords in a memorable way, perfect for practicing chord changes and strumming.
The Joker (Steve Miller Band) Tabs
The Joker (Steve Miller Band) YouTube
Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love (Van Halen)
Van Halen’s “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” may be known for its guitar pyrotechnics, but the main riff and rhythm parts are beginner-accessible. The picking pattern in the main riff might require some practice, but the power chords and solo (simplified in beginner tabs) are within reach.
Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love (Van Halen) Tabs
Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love (Van Halen) YouTube
Running with the Devil (Van Halen)
“Running with the Devil” by Van Halen builds upon “Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love” with double-stop chord inversions in the main riff. The arpeggiated guitar solo is also considered beginner lead guitar material, offering a stepping stone into soloing.
Running with the Devil (Van Halen) Tabs
Running with the Devil (Van Halen) YouTube
Twist and Shout (The Beatles)
The Beatles’ “Twist and Shout” is three-chord rock and roll (D–G–A) at its most energetic. Use open-string or barre chord versions – both work great. The harmonized guitar break can even be attempted on one guitar with practice.
Twist and Shout (The Beatles) Tabs
Twist and Shout (The Beatles) YouTube
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Are You Gonna Be My Girl (Jet)
Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” is a modern rock song that’s surprisingly simple. It’s in the key of A, using power chords and catchy double-stop riffs. Its infectious energy and straightforward structure make it a fun jam for beginners.
Are You Gonna Be My Girl (Jet) Tabs
Are You Gonna Be My Girl (Jet) YouTube
Batman Theme (The Ventures)
The Ventures’ “Batman Theme” offers a break from power chords with a cool octave riff. It’s a 12-bar blues in G and a classic instrumental piece. Learning octave playing expands your technique beyond basic chords and riffs.
Batman Theme (The Ventures) Tabs
Batman Theme (The Ventures) YouTube
I Wanna Be Sedated (The Ramones)
The Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated” is quintessential Ramones: power chords and eighth-note, downward-strummed rhythms. It’s fast, fun, and uses a simple formula that’s incredibly effective and beginner-friendly.
I Wanna Be Sedated (The Ramones) Tabs
I Wanna Be Sedated (The Ramones) YouTube
Blitzkrieg Bop (The Ramones)
“Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones is another power chord-driven anthem with eighth-note rhythms. “Hey ho, let’s go!” is a singalong classic and its simplicity makes it perfect for beginners to master power chords and rhythm.
Blitzkrieg Bop (The Ramones) Tabs
Blitzkrieg Bop (The Ramones) YouTube
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18 and Life (Skid Row)
Skid Row’s “18 and Life” is a power ballad with beautiful storytelling. The main riff’s arpeggios might present a slight challenge, introducing Rock 102 techniques, but the rest is built on power chords and eighth-note rhythms. The solo, while more advanced, offers a goal for progressing beginners.
18 and Life (Skid Row) YouTube
Voodoo (Godsmack) – Simple Chord Riffs
Godsmack’s “Voodoo,” tuned down a whole step, features dark and heavy yet simple chord riffs. The double-stop lick, prominent throughout the song and played with one finger, adds a unique texture. It’s a great example of how simple parts can create a powerful atmosphere.
Taking Care of Business (Bachman Turner Overdrive)
Bachman Turner Overdrive’s “Taking Care of Business” uses a C–Bb–F chord progression with Chuck Berry-style power chord riffs. It’s a 70s classic and another garage band staple that’s easy to learn and fun to jam.
Taking Care of Business (Bachman Turner Overdrive) Tabs
Taking Care of Business (Bachman Turner Overdrive) YouTube
Every Rose Has Its Thorn (Poison)
Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” is an 80s power ballad that’s more ballad than power. Tuned down a half step, it uses key of G open chords. C.C. Deville’s solo, while not strictly beginner, is a melodic and well-structured example of E minor pentatonic playing.
Every Rose Has It’s Thorn (Poison) Tabs
Every Rose Has It’s Thorn (Poison) YouTube
Wild Thing (The Troggs)
The Troggs’ “Wild Thing” is I–IV-–V in the key of A, a classic three-chord progression. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a must-know for open mic nights. The simple guitar tabs even include the ocarina solo adapted for guitar!
Wild Thing (The Troggs) YouTube
Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode)
Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus” features simple riffs and a few moveable chord shapes. Johnny Cash’s cover version further solidified its status as a versatile and powerful song. It’s a strong and slightly darker song to round out this beginner list.
Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode) Tabs
Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode) YouTube
Closing Thoughts
Thank you for letting me be a part of your guitar learning experience. I hope this collection of 50 simple guitar tabs has been helpful and inspires you to keep playing. The guitar is an incredible instrument, and with the vast resources available online, including easy-to-understand tablature, there’s never been a better time to learn. Remember, consistent practice, even in short bursts, is key to progress. Explore these simple guitar tabs, find the songs you love, and most importantly, have fun making music!
Related: Complete Buyers Guide for Guitar Straps to ensure comfortable playing.
Learn Guitar the Right Way
Learn Guitar Faster 😫 Overwhelmed with scattered tabs and tutorials?
😃 Dive into structured lessons designed for beginners.
🎸 See for yourself at GuitarTricks.com.
Start for Free
Ed Lozano
Ed Lozano is a professional guitarist, instructor, producer and published author. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and lives in the Andes mountains.
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