Learning guitar is an exciting journey, and one of the most rewarding parts is playing your favorite songs. But where do you start? If you’re a beginner guitarist, diving into complex songs can be overwhelming and discouraging. That’s why starting with easy, beginner-friendly songs is key to building your skills and keeping you motivated. This list of 27 Starter Guitar Songs is perfect for new players looking to strum their first chords and play recognizable tunes quickly. These songs utilize simple chord progressions, easy strumming patterns, and are designed to be accessible even if you’re just picking up the guitar.
1. “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath
Want to unleash your inner rock star right away? “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath is an iconic metal anthem that’s surprisingly simple to learn on guitar. It kicks off with a powerful E power chord on the 7th fret, instantly giving you that classic rock feel. This strong opening chord is followed by a cool, easy hammer-on riff in the same position, and then progresses through E, A, and D power chords using a consistent down-picking rhythm. Focus on listening to the song carefully to grasp the rhythm, and you’ll soon be headbanging along to this legendary 70s track.
2. “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi
Capo on the 1st fret required.
This soulful hit from Lewis Capaldi, a Scottish singer-songwriter, is a fantastic starter guitar song for practicing strumming and singing simultaneously. “Someone You Loved” is built around a simple and emotive chord progression of C, G, Am, and F chords. You can start by strumming these chords slowly and repeatedly to match the song’s melancholic mood. As you become more comfortable, try fingerpicking individual strings to add a more melodic and nuanced quality to your playing. While there are some chord variations later in the song, such as Am7 and Dm7 in the bridge, these are easy to incorporate with minor adjustments from the basic open chords, making this song a great stepping stone for expanding your chord vocabulary.
3. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
This iconic riff of “Sweet Home Alabama” instantly transports you to the American South and is a fun and recognizable starter guitar song to learn. The riff revolves around D, C, and G open chord shapes. If you’ve already practiced these fundamental chords, you’ll be able to pick up this riff quickly. It’s not overly complex, and as you practice, your playing will become faster and more authentic to the song’s signature ‘twangy’ sound. A helpful tip for learning this riff is to keep your pinky finger anchored on the 3rd fret of the B string. This position helps your other fingers naturally fall into the C and G chord shapes. The key to mastering it is playing along with the original song, carefully matching the beat and picking style of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Since the riff loops back to its beginning, it’s perfect for repetitive practice! You’ll be playing this riff effortlessly in no time.
4. “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty
Tom Petty performing Free Fallin, a classic starter guitar song for beginners
Capo on the 3rd fret required.
“Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty, famously covered by artists like John Mayer, is a timeless classic and a great starter guitar song due to its simple and memorable chord progression. With a capo on the 3rd fret, you’ll be playing familiar open D, A, and E chords. The song also introduces a Dsus4 chord to add a touch of variation. Don’t be intimidated by the name; Dsus4 is simply a D chord with your pinky finger placed on the 3rd fret instead of the 2nd fret of the high E string. Suitable for both acoustic and electric guitars, you can experiment with adding a bit of overdrive on an electric guitar to achieve a classic rock tone. This song is perfect for practicing chord changes and singing along, making it a great addition to any beginner guitarist’s repertoire.
5. “My Generation” by The Who
Looking for a starter guitar song that’s both incredibly easy to play and lets you rock out? “My Generation” by The Who is the perfect choice. This iconic 60s hit is built on just two chords: G and F. To capture the song’s raw energy, play these chords as power chords, giving them a full, meaty rock sound. Don’t be afraid to unleash your vocals during the instrumental pauses, adding to the song’s rebellious spirit. While “My Generation” is famous for its distinctive bass solo, Pete Townshend’s guitar fills provide excellent cues for you to add your own improvisations. It’s a fantastic song for developing your soloing skills because the rhythm and chord structure are straightforward, allowing you to focus on experimenting with lead guitar techniques.
6. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals
“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals is a classic blues-rock ballad and a compelling starter guitar song that introduces fingerpicking and a slightly more complex chord progression. This song revolves around Am, C, D, E, and F chords. Instead of strumming, the song’s distinctive sound comes from picking each note of the chord individually, ascending and descending in pitch to create its signature bluesy and somber tone. Later in the song, you’ll encounter a C/E chord. This might look complicated, but it’s simply a C chord with an E note as the bass note. It’s easy to play – just a slight adjustment from the standard open C chord structure. You’ll also find E7 and F7 chords, which introduce 7th notes from the scale, adding a touch of bluesy tension. These chord variations appear sparingly throughout the song to enhance certain lines, making “House of the Rising Sun” a great way to expand your chord vocabulary while learning a timeless classic.
7. “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus
If you’re in the mood for some country fun, “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus is a catchy and straightforward starter guitar song perfect for learning the basics of country rhythm guitar. This country-style jam is built on just two chords: A and E. This simplicity provides ample space for you to experiment with country-style guitar licks using the notes within the open A and E chords. Explore scales in the key of A to start improvising simple solos over the chord progression. If you want to take it further and capture that authentic country sound, try incorporating “chicken pickin’” techniques. “Achy Breaky Heart” is an excellent song for practicing rhythm, improvisation, and exploring country guitar styles, all while playing a fun and recognizable tune.
8. “American Idiot” by Green Day
“American Idiot” by Green Day stormed the pop charts in 2003 and remains an energetic and engaging starter guitar song for beginners. The main riff is composed of three simple power chords in C#, G#, and F# positions, requiring you to quickly switch between them. At the end of the riff, there’s a short, sharp, and energetic hit of the open strings, signaling the start of the vocals and adding to the song’s dynamic feel. The guitar solo in “American Idiot” is also relatively simple to learn. It features octave shapes played in quick succession, followed by an easy lick higher up the fretboard. This song is perfect for practicing power chords, fast chord changes, and even venturing into basic soloing, making it a fun and rewarding song for beginner guitarists to learn.
9. “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley
“Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley is an uplifting and iconic reggae tune, and a fantastic starter guitar song known for its positive message and simple chord structure. True to its easy-going vibe, the song is made up of just three chords – A, D, and E – played with a reggae rhythm. Mastering the reggae strumming pattern can be a bit tricky when you’re new to the genre. Start by practicing a regular, consistent rhythm as you familiarize yourself with the chord changes. Once you’re comfortable with the chords, focus on incorporating the syncopated reggae strum. There are many online resources and tutorials available that can help you nail both a basic strumming pattern and the more complex, authentic reggae beat for “Three Little Birds.” This song is a great way to introduce yourself to reggae rhythms and practice smooth chord transitions.
10. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
Nirvana performing Smells Like Teen Spirit, a grunge starter guitar song for beginners
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana is a quintessential grunge anthem and a rite of passage for guitar players, making it an essential starter guitar song. This groundbreaking record features just four power chords. These chords are played at the 1st fret of the E string, 1st fret of the A string, 4th fret of the E string, and 4th fret of the A string. The rhythm is straightforward, allowing you to play with plenty of grunge attitude. The key to nailing the rhythm is to hit each chord a couple of times and then fill the spaces between chords with muted strums of the strings, creating that signature Nirvana dynamic. For the verses, you can simplify it even further by holding down the 1st fret of the high E and B strings and simply plucking them. This simplified version captures the essence of the verse and makes “Smells Like Teen Spirit” incredibly accessible for beginner guitarists.
11. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
“Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison is an undeniably feel-good classic and an eminently singable starter guitar song. It’s hard not to be in a good mood when you’re playing this song, thanks to its cheerful G major key and upbeat rhythm. Featuring easy-strumming open G, C, D, and Em chords, “Brown Eyed Girl” is a fantastic crowd-pleaser and a great song to practice your singing along with guitar. Once you’ve mastered the chords and rhythm, challenge yourself with the fun, riff-like intro. This intro adds a layer of melodic interest and is a great way to develop your lead guitar skills in a beginner-friendly context. “Brown Eyed Girl” is a perfect song for building confidence and enjoying the process of playing and singing simultaneously.
12. “Wonderwall” by Oasis
Capo on the 2nd fret required.
“Wonderwall” by Oasis is, admittedly, a song that might elicit groans from some crowds due to its ubiquity, but it remains a seminal track and an essential starter guitar song that every guitarist should have in their repertoire. It’s built upon basic G, C, D, and Em chords, but with a slight and distinctive twist. To get that iconic “Wonderwall” treble-rich tone, hold down the 3rd fret of both the B and high E strings on all of these chords. Later in the song, you’ll encounter a G transition chord. This isn’t a new chord shape, but rather a smooth transition technique. To play it, simply move your finger from the 3rd fret to the 2nd fret of the low E string and play the rest of the strings open, while maintaining pressure on the 3rd frets of the B and high E strings. This G transition chord is played just once and serves as a bridge into the Em chord. This type of transitional movement is common in many songs, making “Wonderwall” a valuable learning experience for understanding chord transitions.
13. “Zombie” by The Cranberries
“Zombie” by The Cranberries is a soulful, somber, and iconic song of the 90s, and a surprisingly simple starter guitar song to learn with just four chords. These chords are Em, Cmaj7, G, and D. The Cmaj7 chord might sound complex, but it’s actually very similar to a regular open C chord – the only difference is that you don’t fret the 1st fret on the B string. There’s a unique satisfaction in belting out the powerful “What’s in your heaaaad” chorus as you play through this comfortable chord progression. “Zombie” is a great song for practicing dynamic strumming and building emotional depth into your playing, all while learning a memorable and impactful song.
14. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan/Guns N’ Roses
Originally written by the legendary Bob Dylan and famously covered by Guns N’ Roses, “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is a timeless classic and a fantastic starter guitar song that’s both fun to play and easy to sing along to. The verse progression is G, D, Am/G, D, C, with the last chord alternating between Am and C. The Am/G chord is a slight variation, but easily achievable as you become more comfortable with chord changes. For the chorus, the chord progression simplifies to G, D, and C. Then, it returns to the alternating Am and C progression in the verses. The repetitive and predictable nature of the chord changes makes “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” ideal for practicing smooth transitions and developing a consistent strumming pattern. Its iconic status and sing-along quality make it a rewarding song for beginner guitarists.
15. “The Joker” by Steve Miller Band
“The Joker” by Steve Miller Band is a true earworm and a surprisingly easy starter guitar song to learn, despite its catchy and intricate-sounding melody. The song is built around just three chords: G, Cadd9, and D. All of these chords are relatively simple open chords and are played in a steady, repeating pattern throughout the song. As you gain confidence in playing these chords and smoothly transitioning between them, you can start to mimic the song’s bass line by picking individual notes within the chords. You can also begin to add your own little guitar licks and fills to personalize your rendition of “The Joker.” Its simplicity and recognizable melody make it a satisfying and fun song for beginners to learn and build upon.
16. “Buck Rogers” by Feeder
“Buck Rogers” by Feeder is a Brit-pop anthem from the 2000s that remains a popular and energetic starter guitar song even today. The song has a very straightforward guitar arrangement, primarily built around an open Em chord and power chords played at the 7th and 9th frets of the low E string. This combination forms the basic rhythm of the song. The chorus introduces an additional power chord at the 5th fret of the low E string. All chords are strummed in a consistent, steady beat that is easy to follow and pick up quickly. “Buck Rogers” is a great song for practicing power chords, rhythm guitar, and maintaining a consistent strumming pattern. Its catchy melody and simple structure make it a fun and rewarding song for beginner guitarists.
17. “All The Small Things” by Blink-182
“All The Small Things” by Blink-182 is pop-punk at its finest, a smash hit crowd-pleaser, and a perfect starter guitar song guaranteed to get an audience singing along. The song primarily revolves around three power chords: a C power chord played on the 3rd fret of the A string, a G power chord on the 3rd fret of the low E string, and a power chord in the F position. The strumming pattern is easy to learn as it is almost entirely steady down-picking. Pay attention to the palm mutes in the intro and throughout the song. Palm muting involves resting the edge of your palm lightly on the strings near the bridge while strumming, which creates a dampened, percussive sound. Mastering palm muting adds a crucial element to the pop-punk sound of “All The Small Things” and many other songs in the genre.
18. “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol
“Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol is a soulful, catchy, and remarkably easy starter guitar song to play. Unlike many chord-heavy songs, “Chasing Cars” features a cool, melodic riff that is fingerpicked throughout most of the song. This provides a refreshing change of pace and an opportunity to practice fingerpicking with power chord shapes rather than strumming them. There is a slight stretch involved in the riff, requiring you to pick the 5th fret of the A string and then the 9th fret of the G string. This stretch is excellent for building hand strength and finger dexterity. Towards the end of the song, there’s a chord progression – A, E/G#, D, Dsus2, Dmaj7 – played in a steady, down-picked fashion to match the vocals. While some of these chord names might seem advanced, they are played in a simple, straightforward manner within the song’s context. “Chasing Cars” offers a great mix of riff-based playing and simple chord work, making it a well-rounded song for beginner guitarists.
19. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
Ben E. King performing Stand By Me, a timeless starter guitar song for beginners
“Stand By Me” by Ben E. King is a timeless classic starter guitar song featuring open chords, a recognizable intro riff, and universally loved lyrics. It’s one of those songs that’s almost impossible not to sing along to, which is perfect because the C, Am, F, G chord progression is easy enough to play, allowing you to focus on your vocals and performance. The iconic intro riff is driven by timing and rhythm, so listen closely to the song to pick up its feel. For strumming patterns, aim to match the beat and tempo of the song to capture its soulful groove. “Stand By Me” is a fantastic song for practicing chord changes, rhythm, and singing simultaneously, all while playing a song that everyone will recognize and enjoy.
20. “Love Me Do” by The Beatles
“Love Me Do” by The Beatles is a super simple and super classic starter guitar song. Consisting of just G, C, G7, and D chords, it’s incredibly quick to learn and strum along with. The G7 chord is a minor variation of the G chord, simply requiring you to move your finger from the 3rd fret to the 1st fret of the high E string. Even better for beginners, the strumming pattern is steady and not overly complex. “Love Me Do” is a perfect starting point for learning Beatles songs and for building foundational guitar skills. Its simplicity and historical significance make it a rewarding and motivating song for new guitarists.
21. “A Horse With No Name” by America
“A Horse With No Name” by America is a mellow and atmospheric song and a great starter guitar song for practicing a slightly different strumming pattern and exploring less common chord names that are still easy to play. While the chord names might look unfamiliar – Em, D6/9, Em9, and Dmaj9 – don’t be intimidated. The chord progression itself is quite simple to play. The D6/9 chord involves just one finger fretting a single note. The Em9 chord only requires you to hold down the 2nd fret of the high E string instead of the A string of a standard Em chord. The Dmaj9 is a slight and easy variation of the regular D chord. The strumming pattern in “A Horse With No Name” is a bit different from typical patterns, often described as a ‘galloping’ rhythm, but it’s not too difficult to learn with a little practice and listening to the song.
22. “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones
“Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones is a quintessential punk rock anthem and an incredibly simple starter guitar song made up of just three power chords. These power chords are positioned on the 5th fret of the low E string, the 5th fret of the A string, and the 7th fret of the A string. This is a very basic and easy progression to pick up. The key to playing “Blitzkrieg Bop” is to play it fast and loud, capturing the raw energy and attitude of punk rock. This song is perfect for practicing fast power chord changes and developing a strong, aggressive strumming style. Its simplicity and high energy make it a fun and liberating song for beginner guitarists to learn and rock out to.
23. “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes
“What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes is a soulful and powerful 90s hit and a fantastic starter guitar song characterized by its simple three-chord structure, straightforward strumming pattern, and strong vocals. You only need to learn G, Am, and C chords to master “What’s Up?”. The strumming pattern in “What’s Up?” follows a distinctive slow-to-fast dynamic within each bar. It starts slowly and gradually increases in speed, creating a rhythmic pulse that’s integral to the song’s feel. This strumming pattern is relatively quick to internalize once you get a feel for the rhythm of the song. “What’s Up?” is a great song for practicing dynamic strumming, smooth chord transitions between common open chords, and for developing your singing alongside your guitar playing.
24. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day
Green Day performing Good Riddance, an acoustic starter guitar song for beginners
“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day is a mellow and catchy acoustic ballad and an excellent starter guitar song, particularly for acoustic guitar enthusiasts. The song utilizes a simple chord progression consisting of G, Cadd9, D, Em, and C chords. These chords are all relatively easy to learn and transition between. The key to mastering the intro of “Good Riddance” is to avoid full strums initially. Instead, focus on playing the bass notes of the chords while sequentially picking the high E and B strings. This arpeggiated intro creates the song’s signature delicate and introspective feel. Shortly after the intro, the song transitions to standard strumming patterns. “Good Riddance” is a great song for practicing fingerpicking patterns, transitioning between fingerpicking and strumming, and for developing a softer, more nuanced acoustic guitar style.
25. “Circles” by Post Malone
“Circles” by Post Malone is a modern hit and a genuinely fun starter guitar song to strum and sing along with. The strumming pattern is very simple and repetitive, making it easy to lock into the groove of the song. The chords in “Circles” are Cmaj7, Fmaj7, Fm, C, F, C/B, and Cmaj7/B. While some of these chord names might look complex at first glance, they are actually just slight variations of common open chords. If you find barre chords like F challenging at this stage, you can simplify it by playing it as either an F power chord or an open F chord. “Circles” is a great song for practicing rhythm guitar, modern pop song structures, and for getting comfortable with slightly more embellished chord names without overly complex fingerings.
26. “Otherside” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers performing Otherside, a riff-based starter guitar song for beginners
“Otherside” by Red Hot Chili Peppers is a song known for its distinctive guitar riff and relatively simple chord structure, making it a compelling starter guitar song. While “Otherside” typically doesn’t feature strummed chords in the verses in its original arrangement, strumming the chords works just as well for beginner guitarists who are still developing their fingerpicking skills. The chords used in “Otherside” are Am, F, C, G, Em, and A chords. These are all common open chords that are relatively easy to learn. As you progress and become more comfortable with the song, you can start to learn and incorporate the iconic guitar riff and the song’s main melody over a backing track. “Otherside” is a great bridge between simple strumming songs and more riff-based guitar playing, allowing you to gradually expand your skills.
27. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran performing Thinking Out Loud, a slow and easy starter guitar song for beginners
Capo on the 2nd fret required.
“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran is a beautiful and slow ballad and a perfect starter guitar song for practicing timing, chord changes, and playing slower, more deliberate songs. The song uses a selection of easy chords: C, C/E, F, G, Dm, and Am. These chords are all manageable for beginner guitarists. The key to mastering “Thinking Out Loud” is to listen closely to the song and pay attention to the timing of the chord changes, particularly in lines like “maybe we found love right where we are,” where there is a chord change for almost every word. This might feel challenging at first, but with practice, you will develop your timing and chord transition skills. “Thinking Out Loud” is a rewarding song to learn, helping you develop crucial skills while playing a popular and emotionally resonant tune.
