If you’re picking up the guitar and love Coldplay’s music, you’re in luck. Chris Martin’s songwriting often leans into simple, emotional progressions that sound beautiful even with just a guitar. In this post, we’re breaking down 5 easy Coldplay songs that are perfect for beginners to learn and sound great even early on.
Whether you’re playing for yourself or showing off to friends and family, these tracks will help build your confidence fast. We’ve also found great chord sheets and tutorial videos to help you every step of the way!
Tip for Beginners: Most of these Coldplay songs use capos or slightly unusual tunings. We highly recommend you get a capo if you don’t already, and we have an article explaining why which you can check out here.
Our Top 5 Easy Coldplay Guitar Songs:
1. Yellow
A Coldplay classic, Yellow is one of the easiest songs to learn on guitar – and features in our top 10 first songs for beginners to learn. The relaxed tempo and simple chord progression make it a beginner’s dream.
Why it’s great for beginners: It uses just a few open chords and has a slow, steady strumming pattern. It’s ideal for working on basic chord transitions while still sounding amazing from the start.
👉 See the chords on Ultimate Guitar: Yellow
2. The Scientist
Another emotional anthem, The Scientist is a beautiful song that sounds fantastic with simple chords. Originally written on piano, it translates really well to the guitar.
Why it’s great for beginners: The majority of chord shapes are easy, and the slower pace allows you to focus on keeping your rhythm steady. Plus, it’s an awesome song to sing along with once you’re comfortable.
👉 See the chords on Ultimate Guitar: The Scientist
3. Viva La Vida
Viva La Vida might sound big and orchestral, but the main chord progression behind it is surprisingly simple and repetitive — perfect for beginner guitarists.
Why it’s great for beginners: It’s mostly a four-chord song, so once you’ve learned the progression, you can play along with almost the whole track. A great one to work on timing and strumming dynamics.
👉 See the chords on Ultimate Guitar: Viva La Vida
4. Fix You
An emotional ballad and a fan favourite, Fix You is gentle, soulful, and very forgiving for beginner players. It sounds amazing with just basic open chords.
Why it’s great for beginners: The slow tempo and simple chords make it easy to follow. It’s a good song to practice clean chord changes and softer strumming for emotional effect.
👉 See the chords on Ultimate Guitar: Fix You
5. Clocks
While the original is heavily piano-driven, you can easily adapt Clocks for guitar using some simple chord progressions. The rhythmic strumming feels satisfying once you lock it in.
Why it’s great for beginners: It helps you practice steady rhythm and basic chord patterns. Plus, it’s a great way to start playing slightly faster, upbeat songs once you’re comfortable.
👉 See the chords on Ultimate Guitar: Clocks
Final Thoughts
Coldplay’s catalogue is packed with beginner-friendly songs that focus more on feeling and melody than technical difficulty. Whether you’re just starting out or adding new tracks to your repertoire, these songs will help you develop essential guitar skills like chord changes, strumming, and rhythm control — all while playing some of the most beloved songs in modern music.
Pick a song from the list, grab your guitar, and have fun bringing these anthems to life. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be playing your favourite Coldplay songs effortlessly!
