Hitting that
The smarter move is to start with songs that sound great but use simple building blocks like open chords, standard tuning, and relaxed strumming. In this guide, we will walk through those songs, and I will point to how Guitarspace helps with gear choices and playing tips along the way.
Not every simple song feels easy on guitar. Some have odd rhythms or tricky shapes, even if the chord list looks short on paper. Here is what we look for when we call a song
As you go through the list, notice how many songs repeat the same shapes and concepts. Once your hands start to trust those moves, the next song on the list becomes easier than the last.
These songs are perfect when you’re just getting started. With only two chords to think about, you can focus on rhythm, switching cleanly, and keeping your hands relaxed. Once these feel natural, the rest of your learning comes a lot easier.
This track has earned its spot on nearly every
Your fingers barely move…just a small shift up and down one string, yet the sound feels warm and full. The real test here is staying steady with the strumming since the progression repeats for most of the song.
Here, the chord work is even simpler. You bounce between A and E, or switch to C and G if those feel smoother for your hands. Many players also try “Boys ‘Round Here,” which uses A and D in a similar way. The challenge is holding a steady groove. The timing has a firm country bounce that pushes you to stay locked in with the beat.
While the original version leans on orchestral lines, the acoustic guitar approach is surprisingly easy. Most of the song sits on C and Em, giving you a haunting, moody backdrop without overworking your fretting hand.
Guitarspace often recommends this one to players who want something simple but expressive since the stripped down acoustic version still hits hard without adding extra chord shapes.
Once you are comfortable with two-chord tunes, these songs help you move into fuller progressions without feeling overwhelmed. They use familiar shapes, repeat predictable loops, and sound great in group settings or solo practice.
This one feels huge on stage, yet the core progression is simply D, C, and G. The famous riff comes from that same trio of chords. If the picking pattern seems too involved at first, stick to straight strumming. Many beginners start with quarter-note strums, get the loop tight, and only then add bits of the riff.
Built on D, A, and G, this upbeat tune teaches quick chord switching without catching your fingers on the strings. The progression repeats in a way your ear can predict, which helps your hands move ahead of the beat. Once you get the flow, you will notice how often this D-A-G cycle appears in other rock songs.
With G, D, Am, then G, D, and C, this song stays mellow and steady. The chord shapes are friendly enough that you can pay more attention to how you strum rather than which chord comes next. This is the perfect track for working on dynamics: soft in the verse, stronger in the chorus, and lighter again between vocal lines.
This song uses the classic I-vi-IV-V progression, often written as G, Em, C, and D on guitar. The progression loops for nearly the entire tune, which makes it ideal for practicing smooth transitions. It is also a great place to start the “bass note first” strumming idea, where you hit the root note and then strum the higher strings.
A cheerful favorite built on G, C, D, and Em, this track features the familiar G-C-G-D pattern through much of the verse. It teaches you to return to G cleanly from two directions. A simple pattern like down down up up down up fits the song well and keeps the rhythm bouncing along without pushing your hand too hard.
A capo can totally change the feel of a song without forcing you to learn tougher shapes. It lets you keep familiar open chords while matching the key of the original recording, which makes you sound more polished with less effort.
With a capo in place, you can play this song using simple D, G, and A shapes while still getting that bright ringing sound from the album.
The chord progression repeats over and over, so once your strumming hand settles into the groove, the whole song comes together quickly. Many players start with slow downstroke patterns, then add light upstrokes when the rhythm feels natural.
This track teaches one of the most helpful finger tricks early players can learn. Your ring and pinky stay planted on the third fret of the B and high E strings through almost the entire song, creating a stable “pivot” point that simplifies each chord change.
The shapes around those two fingers shift, but your hand always returns to the same anchor. It typically uses a capo on the second fret, which lets you use Em7, G, Dsus4, and A7sus4 without stretching into tougher positions. If you are looking for a solid first capo song, this one delivers full sound with surprisingly little effort.
If you lean toward riffs more than chord strumming, these songs fit perfectly. They focus on simple, catchy lines that repeat and help you build picking control, timing, and confidence without overwhelming shapes.
The main hook is a single-note riff played on one string, which makes it friendly for beginners who want something bold without juggling chords. Add a bit of distortion and the line feels huge, even though the movement is small. This riff trains your picking hand to keep a steady pulse while shifting across a few fret positions.
Built on G, B, C, and Cm, this track serves as a first taste of slightly tougher shapes. B major and Cm can feel awkward at first, but they introduce what many players call a lighter version of barre work.
The slower pace of the song gives you enough time between changes to position your fingers and keep the chords clean. Once you settle into the mood, the progression feels natural.
This classic riff is often the very first line new players learn. It uses double stops, meaning two strings played together, or you can shift to simple power chord shapes if that feels better.
The movement stays in a tight area on the fretboard, repeating the same idea in slightly different spots. Play it clean first so you can hear each pair of notes clearly, then add dirt later for that familiar growl.
The opening hook uses only three notes on a single string, yet everyone recognizes it instantly. It is a great place to practice clean picking while keeping the tempo steady. If you have a fuzz pedal, try adding a little of it to capture the gritty tone from the original recording. Keep the volume controlled, though, so you can still hear whether each note rings clean.
Shifting between styles keeps practice fun and shows how rhythm shapes the character of a song. Both country and reggae use familiar chords but approach groove in very different ways, giving your hands fresh patterns to explore.
Built on G, D, Em, and C, this song falls naturally under the fingers if you have played other tunes in G major. The changes feel predictable, and the melody blends smoothly with simple strumming.
Many beginners hum along while playing, which helps anchor the timing. If you like the vibe, “Wagon Wheel,” by Old Crow Medicine Show offers a similar feel with friendly open chords.
Using A, D, and E, this track introduces the off-beat rhythm that gives reggae its bounce. Instead of playing on the main beats, you hit the strum on the “and” between the counts.
Start by muting the strings and practicing that pattern before adding the chords. Once the groove settles in, try small, sharp strums rather than wide swings. Another easy Marley option is “Stir It Up,” often played with G, C, and D, and it uses the same rhythmic idea to keep things smooth and relaxed.
Good technique grows out of small habits you repeat every day. These simple ideas make learning smoother and help your hands build control without frustration.
Working through these songs gives you the foundation you need for everything that comes next, from cleaner chord changes to better rhythm and confidence.
Choose one song from the list, focus on it for a full week, and make a quick recording at the end. Even a simple phone clip helps you hear real progress, and that small boost keeps you moving forward.
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