When learning to play a new instrument, a knowledge of which songs are the easiest to play is important. The quickest way to expand a repertoire is to pick songs with simple repeating structures. The following three songs can be played by anyone with a basic knowledge of guitar chords.
To learn a few more straightforward songs, check out these three articles:
- Three Easy Song on Guitar
- Learn to Play Three Easy Guitar Songs
- Three Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners
House of the Rising Sun by The Animals
This first song is often one of the first songs taught to new guitar players. The song follows a repeating chord progression and uses arpeggios to drive the song's catchy rhythm. The chord progression is:
- Am (A Minor), C, D, F, Am, C, E, E, Am, C, D, F, Am, E, Am, E
That might seem like a lot but it's a very easy to learn. Listen to the song (you can find it on YouTube) for help with the rhythm. The arpeggios don't need to be learned right away. Screaming the lyrics at the end of the song will require a forceful strumming pattern to maintain an appropriate instrumental decibel level.
Helpless by Neil Young
Young wrote this song about the isolated Canadian locale that played host to his childhood. He has been performing it for 40 years with the likes of Crosby, Stills, and Nash and The Band during their legendary farewell concert, The Last Waltz. The chords for this song are as follows:
- D, A, G
That progression is repeated throughout the entirety of the song. It's amazing what a songwriting genius can pull out of a few simple chords. Give it a try, and good luck trying to hit those high notes.
Rocky Raccoon by The Beatles
This song off the White Album is a jab at the lyrical style of Bob Dylan. Despite it's comical roots, it has become a celebrated composition within the Beatles catalog. The progression is:
- Am7, D7, G7, C, C/B
When playing, hit the base note of each chord and then strum a few times before moving on to the next chord. The C/B means a normal C chord with the base note lowered to a B, so just slide the ring finger down to the second fret after playing the C.
We Used to Know by Jethro Tull
This is one of Jethro Tull's earlier songs recorded before the band's post-Aqualung, decade-long foray into minstrel tunes. This song, however, is more in the mold of a classic rock song with the obligatory, and in this case fantastic, flute solo. The chords are as follows:
- Em, B, D, A, C, G, F#, B
The lyrics for this tune are some of Jethro Tull's best. They are also easy to sing withhout losing the strumming pattern. Give it a shot
Knockin' of Heavens Door by Bob Dylan
This iconic song first on appeared on the soundtrack to Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Dylan was contracted to score the entire film and was even offered a small part as a member of Billy's gang. No one has ever looked more out of place in a Western. This song remains one of the most covered tunes in rock history. It's chord progression is very simple:
- G, D, C
That is repeated throughout the song with a slow and easy rhythm. Try singing the lyrics while strumming because it doesn't get much simpler than this.
These songs represent an excellent starting point for those wishing to build a respectable repertoire. There are plenty of online resources devoted to assisting budding musicians with strumming troubles, chord fingerings, and soloing techniques. If these songs come easily, use these resources to expand on the chord progressions in this article and perhaps create some new ones.
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