10 Easy Songs To Play On Guitar
When starting off on the road to learning how to play the guitar, it is essential to find some songs that contain fairly easy chords and which sound good. Below is a list of ten that should be within the range of the enthusiastic beginning guitarist.
OB LA DI, OB LA DA-The Beatles.
This fun song that people love to singalong to can be played using just three chords. I prefer to play it in the key of G, using the chords G, C and D.
STAND BY ME - BEN E KING
This is another well known tune from the sixties and I again it might be best to play it using the chords G, Em, C and D. This avoids having to use any tricky barre chords.
LORD OF THE DANCE - TRADITIONAL.
Here is a gospel/Celtic tune that can be played using the chords of G, D, and A. I sometimes use a dropped D tuning to make the chords sound fuller if playing it on my own, but this alters the chord shapes. Its not essential though and the beginner guitarist should soon be able to master this one.
WHEN I'M DEAD AND GONE-MCGUINNESS FLINT
This tune which was recorded in 1970 is a song that will help the beginning player sound good fast. There are a couple of fiddly bits but they are not essential to make the song sound good.
AMERICA - RAZORLIGHT
Althought his song might sound quite intricate and complicated to play, when taken to its most basic it can be played with the chords, G, Em, A and D. As with all of the songs, try to stay relaxed when playing. This is difficult to do at first but is well worth the effort.
EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORN - POISON
Another song that uses the chords G, C, and D with a little E minor thrown in. A steady strumming pattern is the hallmark of this tune. Practice slowly to start with.
ROCKIN ALL OVER THE WORLD - STATUS QUO
An all time classic tune which is now over 30 years old, this one uses a blues shuffle pattern to carry it along. Strumming the chords of A, D and E can get the novice sounding great.
HIGH HO SILVER LINING - JEFF BECK
This tune always gets an audience involved and singing along and it is has just a few chords to learn to make it sound great.
A, D, G and E with some of these being replaced by 7th chords are the ones to learn.
And finally two songs that will come in handy for celebrations.
AULD LANG SYNE - TRADITIONAL. Learn the 3 chords that are in this tune, G, C and D and you'll find that you are very popular after Christmas.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU - TRADITIONAL Another tune that is very handy to know how to play. Just the 3 chords, D, G, and A.
Take your time with these tunes and learn them well. Your practice will become much easier and easier on the ear for the listeners.
Good luck with these. Take it slowly, and you will soon be knocking out tunes that most people recognise.