Starting your guitar journey is an exciting adventure, but knowing where to begin can sometimes be tricky. One of the best ways to build your confidence is to learn easy, iconic songs that you love. In this article, we’ve curated a list of 10 beginner guitar songs that are simple to play, sound amazing, and will help you improve your skills in no time. These songs use basic chords or riffs that can be mastered quickly—perfect for new players!
Many of these songs make use of a Capo to make them easier to play, if you are not sure on what that is or why to use one – check out our beginners guide on capos here!
Tip For Beginners: Some of these songs may suggest barre chords or unconventional voicings—feel free to simplify where needed. For example, if Bm is tricky, try Bm7 or just experiment until something sounds close enough. It’s all about getting comfortable and having fun.
10 Great Easy First Guitar Songs to Learn (With Lessons, Chords and Riffs)
1. Peter Gunn Theme – Blues Brothers
The Peter Gunn Theme is a timeless, jazzy riff that’s perfect for beginners, especially those who want to start with something fun and memorable. Made famous by the Blues Brothers, this iconic riff is catchy and repetitive, making it easy to learn and get into a groove. It’s a great introduction to playing electric guitar and helps you focus on rhythm and finger placement.
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
This song focuses on a single riff, which makes it incredibly easy for beginners to pick up quickly. There’s no need to worry about complex chord transitions, and it’s a great way to build confidence while learning an iconic and fun riff. It also allows beginners to practice their rhythm and timing with just a few notes.
👉 Check out the tab for Peter Gunn Theme on Ultimate Guitar
2. Horse With No Name – America
“Horse With No Name” is a classic song that’s incredibly simple yet sounds great on an acoustic guitar. It uses just two easy chords, Em and D6add9/F#, which are beginner-friendly and allow you to focus on strumming and rhythm. This song is perfect for anyone looking to practice smooth chord changes without feeling overwhelmed.
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
With only two chords, this song is great for beginners to practice basic chord transitions. The repetitive nature of the song allows you to get comfortable with the rhythm and feel of the guitar. It’s also a great way to practice your strumming and stay in time with the music.
👉 Check out the chords for Horse With No Name on Ultimate Guitar
3. Rebel Rebel – David Bowie
“Rebel Rebel” by David Bowie is an energetic, fun song that uses just a few chords and a simple riff. The song is a great way for beginners to get their hands on power chords and rhythm guitar. The riff is easy to learn and gives you the chance to rock out while keeping it simple.
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
This song focuses on basic power chords, making it an excellent choice for beginners who want to start learning more rock-based techniques. The riff is easy to play and repetitive, so you can focus on getting it right. It’s a great way to introduce beginners to power chords and rhythm playing.
👉 Check out the chords for Rebel Rebel on Ultimate Guitar
4. Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” is a modern rock anthem by Green Day that features a simple chord progression and an easy-to-follow rhythm. With chords like Em, G, C, and D, it’s perfect for beginners who want to practice transitioning between common chords while learning a rock classic.
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
This song is excellent for beginners because it uses basic chords that are commonly found in other songs. The repetition of the chord progression helps new players focus on smooth transitions and timing. Plus, the slower tempo of the song makes it easier to follow along and build your skills.
👉 Check out the chords for Boulevard of Broken Dreams on Ultimate Guitar
5. Paranoid – Black Sabbath
“Paranoid” by Black Sabbath is a legendary rock song with a simple but powerful riff. It’s perfect for beginners looking to practice power chords on electric guitar. The riff is easy to pick up and repetitive, making it an excellent choice for beginners to get their rhythm down and feel the rock groove.
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
The song’s power chords are great for beginners who want to start using electric guitar techniques. The riff is straightforward and repeated, which allows new players to focus on timing and getting the rhythm right. It’s a classic rock song that’s easy to learn and sounds amazing.
👉 Check out the tab for Paranoid on Ultimate Guitar
6. Riptide – Vance Joy
“Riptide” is a modern, indie hit that uses only three basic chords (Am, G, and C) repeated throughout. The strumming pattern is simple, and the song’s upbeat vibe makes it fun to play. It’s a great choice for beginners who want to learn an easy song with a catchy melody.
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
With only three chords, this song is an excellent way to practice basic chord transitions and rhythm. The repetitive structure makes it easy to follow, and the song’s fun, light-hearted feel will keep you engaged as you play. It’s perfect for practicing strumming and smooth transitions.
👉 Check out the chords for Riptide on Ultimate Guitar
7. Wonderwall – Oasis
“Wonderwall” is one of the most popular beginner guitar songs, and it’s easy to see why. With just a few simple chords (Em, G, D, A7) and a capo on the 2nd fret, it’s simple to play and fun to sing along to. It’s an instant crowd-pleaser and a great way to practice basic chord transitions. Find more easy Oasis songs here!
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
The chord progression in “Wonderwall” is simple and repetitive, making it easy for beginners to master. The song’s structure gives you a chance to practice basic chords and strumming patterns while learning a song that everyone knows. It’s one of those iconic tracks that will help you improve your rhythm and chord-changing skills.
👉 Check out the chords for Wonderwall on Ultimate Guitar
8. Yellow – Coldplay
“Yellow” is a beautiful and simple song that uses just a few basic chords (C, G, Am, and F) with a capo on the 4th fret. The slow tempo and soothing rhythm make it a perfect song for beginners to practice chord transitions and finger placement.
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
This song’s slow tempo gives beginners the time to focus on their chord transitions and smooth strumming. It’s easy to follow and features simple chords that can be used in countless other songs. Plus, it’s a beautiful track that sounds great on acoustic guitar.
👉 Check out the chords for Yellow on Ultimate Guitar
9. Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
“Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley is a feel-good reggae song that uses just three basic chords (A, D, and E). The song’s upbeat rhythm and relaxed vibe make it easy to learn and perfect for practicing simple strumming patterns.
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
The simplicity of the chords and the relaxed rhythm make this song an ideal choice for beginners. It’s great for practicing strumming and timing, and it’s fun to play, too. It’s also a perfect introduction to the reggae style and how to maintain rhythm.
👉 Check out the chords for Three Little Birds on Ultimate Guitar
10. Redemption Song – Bob Marley
“Redemption Song” is a timeless acoustic track by Bob Marley that uses basic chords like G, C, Am, and D. It’s a slower song, which makes it easy to follow along and practice smooth chord transitions.
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
The song features basic chords and a simple rhythm, making it great for beginners to practice chord transitions at a comfortable pace. It’s slower than some other songs, which allows you to focus on your technique and strumming pattern. Plus, it’s a meaningful and iconic song that sounds amazing on acoustic guitar.
👉 Check out the chords for Redemption Song on Ultimate Guitar
Final Thoughts
These 10 beginner guitar songs offer a great mix of easy-to-play chords, iconic riffs, and timeless hits which makes them the perfect easy first guitar songs to learn. Whether you’re looking to practice simple chord progressions or perfect your first riff, there’s something here for everyone. Get started today and don’t forget to check out the YouTube video lessons for each song to help guide you along the way!
