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:
The Times They Are a-Changin' by Bob Dylan
When he wrote this song, Dylan was attempting to create an anthem for the political and social upheavals that occurred during the 1960s. He succeeded. It was written in the fall of 1963 and recorded at the end of October. Its meaning and implications were questioned by many, including Dylan himself, especially after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.
The song has been featured prominently in several documentaries and films, including Watchmen, in which it is played during possibly the coolest opening title sequence in recent cinematic history. It is listed on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Songs of All Time. Like many of Dylan's songs, it is very easy to play. The chord progression for each verse follows this pattern:
- First Line ("Come gather round..."): G, Em, C, G
- Second Line ("And admit..."): G, Am, C, D
- Third Line ("And accept it..."): G, Em, C, G
- Fourth Line ("If your time..."): G, Am, D
- Fifth Line ("Then you better..."): D, C, G, D
- Sixth Line ("For the times..."): G, C, D, G
The strumming pattern for this song is constant throughout and can easily be learned by listening to the recording.
You've Got to Hide Your Love Away by The Beatles
This song first appeared on the 1965 album Help and was the first Beatles recording to feature an outside musician since the 1962 release of their first single, Love Me Do. British composer John Scott added the flute portion of the song while the band recorded the song's other elements.
During the verses, each chord should be played by first plucking the base note and then strumming a bit before moving on to the next chord. The chord progression for the verses follows this progression:
- First Line ("Here I stand..."): G, D, F, G
- Second Line ("Turn my face..."): C (2x), F, C
- Third Line ("If she's gone..."): G, D, F, G
- Fourth Line ("Feeling two foot..."): C (2x), F, C, D
The indicator (2x) means play the chord for twice as long as the others in the same line. Don't worry about plucking the base notes during the chorus. Just strum the following chords:
- G (2x), C (2x), Dsus, D, D6, D
To allow for easier transition between chords and for a few of the less common chords, use these forms:
- F: xx3211
- Dsus: x00233
- D6: x00230
Long as I Can See the Light by Creedence Clearwater Revival
The last song on Creedence's 1970 album, Cosmo's Factory (their fifth release in two years), Long As I Can See The Light helped the album reach number 1 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart and number 11 on the Billboard Soul Albums chart, at the time a rare feat for a white rock band. The structure of the song is a series of verses played at a relaxed pace.
To play the song as it appears on the album, a number of barre chords and tricky transitions are required. However, the song can also be played using the more convenient chord progression:
- First Line ("Put a candle..."): A, E, A, D
- Second Line ("But I feel..."): A, F#m, A, E
- Third Line ("But I'm going..."): A, E, D (2x)
- Fourth Line ("Long as I..."): A, E, A, D
The duration of the D chords played at the end of the first and fourth lines should be shortened relative to the rest of the chords. Remember, this version will not sound exactly like the studio version, which starts on a B chord, but it is the easiest way to learn the song.
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. Once these songs have been mastered, use these resources to the expand the skills honed while practicing these tunes.
 |
 |
 |
 |
