20 Easy Starter Songs for Guitar Beginners: Fun Tunes to Learn

If you are just starting your musical journey, choosing easy starter songs for guitar is one of the smartest and most enjoyable ways to build confidence. Guitar can feel tricky at first because of awkward chord shapes, hand coordination, and rhythm practice. However, learning songs that are approachable and fun helps you gain motivation while building essential skills. These beginner-friendly songs use simple chords, steady rhythms, or repetitive picking patterns so you can focus on playing music without being overwhelmed. Below are practical examples organized into categories, with detailed explanations of why each song works so well for beginners.

Songs with Just a Few Basic Chords

For new players, songs with two or three open chords are perfect because they allow you to practice smooth chord transitions without distraction. These tunes prove that simplicity can still sound full and satisfying.

1. “Horse with No Name” by America

This classic rock hit is famous among beginners because it uses only two chords, Em and D6add9. These shapes are easy to hold, and the transition between them is minimal, which means your fingers don’t have to move very far. The strumming is steady and repetitive, so you can focus on staying in rhythm while enjoying how full the song sounds.

2. “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley

With its cheerful reggae vibe, this song uses only A, D, and E chords. It gives you a chance to practice open chords while also learning a simple upstroke-oriented strum that reflects reggae rhythm. Because the lyrics and melody are so familiar, it’s instantly rewarding even when played with basic strumming.

3. “Love Me Do” by The Beatles

This song cycles through G, C, and D chords, all of which are beginner staples. It repeats often, so once you get the chord changes down, the whole tune flows easily. The slower pace and familiar melody make it a great choice for practicing chord clarity without pressure.

4. “Leaving on a Jet Plane” by John Denver

This folk favorite relies heavily on G, C, and D chords, with a predictable sequence that repeats through the verses and chorus. Because of the slower tempo, you can take your time forming chords while still sounding musical. It’s an ideal piece to practice steady down-strums.

5. “Achy, Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus

One of the simplest songs in country music, this uses just two chords: A and E. The quick back-and-forth between them builds muscle memory for smooth chord changes, and the upbeat tempo makes it feel lively even with a basic strum.

Songs That Teach Strumming Patterns

Once you can switch chords, the next step is learning rhythm. These songs stand out for their clear, easy strumming patterns that give your right hand something fun to practice while you work on timing.

1. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan

This ballad rotates through G, D, Am, and C chords in a slow and repetitive sequence. The strumming is simple—mostly downstrokes with light upstrokes—which helps you develop a steady rhythm while focusing on smooth chord changes.

2. “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz

This song has an island-style vibe with chords like G, C, Em, and D. What makes it useful for beginners is its syncopated strum pattern, which feels like a gentle sway. Practicing this song helps you get comfortable with adding groove and swing to your playing.

3. “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

With just D, A, and G chords, this energetic song uses an upbeat strumming pattern that’s easy to learn. The tempo helps you practice switching chords more quickly while staying on beat. It’s also very recognizable, which makes it more fun to practice.

4. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison

The classic combination of G, C, D, and Em forms the foundation of this hit. The strumming emphasizes both down and upstrokes, teaching beginners how to create a bouncy rhythm. It’s repetitive but catchy, which makes it great for building consistency.

5. “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty

This song cycles through just D, G, and A chords with a repeating strumming rhythm that carries the tune. The relaxed tempo makes it approachable, and because the song repeats so much, you get lots of practice with little pressure.

Popular Songs Every Beginner Recognizes

Familiar songs motivate beginners because they’re instantly rewarding to play. You’ll feel proud when others recognize what you’re strumming, even with just a few chords.

1. “Wonderwall” by Oasis

A modern classic, this uses Em, G, D, A7sus4, and Cadd9. Though it looks like many chords, they are simple to form because you keep your ring and pinky fingers anchored in the same place. The strumming is steady, and the progression repeats, making it a fun challenge without being too hard.

2. “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day

This song uses a straightforward chord progression of Em, G, D, and A. The rhythm is steady downstrokes, which makes it approachable. It also introduces the concept of power chords for players who want to experiment later.

3. “Zombie” by The Cranberries

The entire song is built on a four-chord loop: Em, C, G, and D. Because of the repetition, once you memorize the progression, the whole song becomes automatic. This is excellent for practicing endurance and consistent strumming.

4. “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash

With just G, C, and D chords, this upbeat tune introduces you to steady down-strums in a way that feels fun and celebratory. Its recognizable melody makes it satisfying for beginners.

5. “Riptide” by Vance Joy

Built around Am, G, and C chords, this indie hit has a repetitive and easy-to-follow structure. The quick tempo helps you practice smoother chord transitions, and the familiar melody makes it instantly rewarding to play.

Easy Fingerpicking Songs for Beginners

Fingerpicking may look intimidating, but some songs introduce it gently with repeating patterns and open chords. These songs help you practice melody and rhythm at the same time.

1. “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen (Jeff Buckley version simplified)

This emotional song uses open chords like C, Am, F, and G. The picking pattern is repetitive and slow, making it easy to focus on plucking strings clearly. Because of its gentle tempo, beginners can take their time while still sounding musical.

2. “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac

With a simple picking sequence over C, G/B, and Am7 chords, this song is a beautiful introduction to fingerpicking. The slow pace makes it manageable, and the repeating patterns give you plenty of time to practice accuracy.

3. “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas

One of the most popular beginner fingerpicking songs, this uses a repetitive Travis-picking style. It teaches coordination between thumb and fingers while sounding complex, which is motivating for learners.

4. “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M.

This song relies on simple open chords and a slow tempo. The fingerpicking is repetitive, allowing you to focus on maintaining an even rhythm while switching chords smoothly.

5. “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel

Using Am, G, F, and C chords, this song introduces gentle picking patterns that are easy to remember. Its familiar melody makes it rewarding for beginners, and the pace is slow enough to keep things approachable.