Easy songs to learn on the guitar as a beginner
If you´re a beginner at the guitar, perhaps you´re already taking guitar lessons with a private tutor but want to venture out and learn some easy songs that you can use to practise. Before learning these songs, there are some steps you should have already practised. We´ve compiled a list of the skills you should have learned as a beginner, as well as some of the easiest songs you can learn on the guitar.
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What do I need to know about the guitar before learning songs?
Before moving on to learning and practising playing songs on the guitar, there are certain things you should have learned with your guitar tutor.
- You should know what the different body parts of the guitar are called. By learning these, it will be much easier for you to understand and learn music in future, as many music books or resources will refer to the part of the guitar by its correct name.
- You should know what the open strings on the guitar are called. You can make a fun acronym to ensure you remember the names of the strings from high to low or low to high.
- You should have learned the main chords of the guitar. There are plenty of songs you can learn with just a few of these chords. It's believed there are 8 essential chords you should learn to begin with:
Beginner-friendly songs to learn on the guitar
- Hey Jude - The Beatles
The Beatles have many songs which are suitable for beginners, but one of the most popular of these is the beloved “ Hey Jude”.
- Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
Chasing Cars by Northern Irish band Snow Patrol is another tune which can be fairly simple to learn on the guitar. The slow tempo of the song makes it easy for you to gradually learn how to change chords throughout the song.
- Songbird - Oasis
Oasis are still an ever-popular band and the reason why so many young people in the UK have wanted to start learning the guitar. Many of their songs are suitable for beginners, but one of the top recommended songs of theirs is Songbird.
- With or Without You - U2
A classic U2 song which nearly everyone knows. If you want an easy song to practise that you can play for your family and friends and have everyone singing along, With or Without You is a great choice.
How often should I practise guitar?
With the guitar, it's important to be consistent in your practice. It's ideal that you play for at least 10-15 minutes per day, or you can practise in longer sessions less frequently throughout the week. Remember, when learning a song, it's never going to sound perfect right away. With everything, practice makes perfect, and with consistent practice you´ll get used to changing chords and strumming patterns in no time.
Irem Cohantimur
Content Specialist at FindTutors
Irem is a Content Specialist with experience in digital marketing, specialising in SEO and UK market trends. Originally from Turkey, now based in Barcelona, where she completed her Master's in Marketing. Fluent in Turkish and English, and currently improving her Spanish, Irem is passionate about marketing trends. With a strong background in both organic and paid marketing strategies, she enjoys crafting engaging digital content through her expertise in content development and data-driven insights.