If you are just starting out, you may be wondering what beginner songs on guitar are best to play first. There are so many different songs out there, it can be hard to know where to start.

These songs are easy to learn, and they sound great when played on the guitar. So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced guitarist, be sure to check out these tunes!

What Makes a Good Beginner Song on Guitar?

What makes a song easy to learn for beginners? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Choose a song with not too many chords—too many chords can be overwhelming and can lead to less motivation to practice.
  • Choose good guitar chords for beginners. Open chords are usually best for beginners (avoid barre chords unless you’re up for the added challenge!)
  • Select a song with fewer chord changes—too many changes can be tough for beginners to keep up with.
  • A slower tempo is the way to go—faster songs can be tricky for beginners to play.
  • An easier strumming pattern—more complex strumming patterns can be challenging for beginners, while an easy strum pattern will allow you to start playing the song much sooner.

Top 10 Songs for Beginners

So without further ado, here are 10 of the best beginner songs on guitar. You can check a site like Ultimate Guitar to get the full tab and strumming pattern.

1. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison

This song only uses four chords every beginner should learn—G, C, D, and Em—which makes it perfect for beginners.

The G and C chords can be a bit tricky to play at first, but once you get the hang of them, it’s easy! You can find an easy reference to all these chords in our guitar chord chart.

The strumming pattern is also very simple, so you’ll be able to keep up with the song even if you’re just starting out.

2. I Wanna Be There – Blessid Union Of Souls

This song is perfect for beginners because it only uses three chords—G, C, and D—and uses an even easier strumming pattern. It’s also great to sing along with—especially if you’re trying to impress someone special!

Seriously though, if you already know these three chords, the song itself will fall into place like magic.

3. Mannish Boy – Muddy Waters

Feeling a little blue? Even if you’ve never heard this song before, chances are, you’ll recognize it right away. This is great for beginners because you can learn it progressively.

The chord changes are a little quick if you play the full chords—A5-D5-A5-C5-A5—but anyone can easily play the bass line until they get the hang of it and then start practicing the song with chords!

4. Twist and Shout – The Beatles

This song is a classic for a reason. It’s perfect for beginners because it only uses three chords, and the strumming pattern is very simple. You can find a million tutorials on how to play this song, so even if you’ve never played guitar before, you’ll be able to learn it in no time.

5. Talkin’ Bout a Revolution – Tracy Chapman

This song is perfect for beginners because it only uses four chords, and you guessed it—the chords are G, C, Em, and D! The strumming pattern is also very simple, so you won’t have any trouble keeping up with the song.

6. Three Little Birds – Bob Marley

You might not think that a Bob Marley song would be perfect for beginners, but this one definitely is, and you can impress all your friends and family with this widely recognizable tune. It only uses three chords—A, D, and E.

This is a great one to add to your arsenal because it gives you a chance to practice some syncopation in strumming. For that classic reggae sound, start with a single down-strum on the off-beat of each count, and you’re off to Jamaica!

7. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd

Heading in a much different direction now… If you’re more into southern or classic rock, this one is perfect for you. The entire song is a repeating chord progression featuring your three favorite chords—D, C, and G!

8. Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival

This song is perfect for beginners because it only uses three chords—G, A, and D. The strumming pattern is easy to pick up on as well. This song is so widely known that once you know the chords, you may be able to learn the whole thing just by ear.

9. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes

If you don’t think you’ve heard this ear-worm before, think again. This song doesn’t feature any open chords or strum patterns, but it’s a great way to start playing single notes on one string. Here’s a quick breakdown.

On the fifth string (A5), locate the 7th fret and play the notes on these frets in order: 7, 7, 10, 7, 5, 3, 2, and finish with the chords G5 and A5 (both are 2-note power chords).

10. Stay With Me – Sam Smith

This song is perfect for beginners because it only uses three chords: Am, FMaj7 (with open E1 string), and C. The entire song can be played with a single down-strum on each chord, making it very playable for even the most novice players out there.

Get Ready to Play

So there you have it! These are just a few of our favorite beginner songs on guitar. All you need is a few basic guitar chords and some time practicing.

If you’re just starting out, we highly recommend giving them a try. You’ll be glad you did!