Acoustic guitars are stringed instruments that create sounds by vibrating the strings and resonating the guitar's body, as opposed to electric guitars, which require amplification to produce sound. Acoustic guitar music includes a wide range of genres, including folk, country, blues, classical, pop, and rock.
Learning to play the guitar can be an exciting journey, especially if you begin with songs that are simple and enjoyable for beginners. Choosing easy songs to learn on an acoustic guitar to start your guitar journey is important. Beginner-friendly songs not only help to build core skills but also instil confidence and motivation to move further.
If you're just getting started, here are a few easy songs to learn on an acoustic guitar for beginners:
Stand by Me by Ben E. King
The timeless classic is known for its soulful melody, heartfelt lyrics, and simple yet powerful arrangement. It has a simple chord pattern and a slow tempo, making it a beginner-friendly song. The song's primary chords are A, F#m, D, and E, all of which are basic open chords that many beginning guitarists learn early on. In addition, the strumming pattern in "Stand by Me" is straightforward, consisting mostly of downstrokes on each beat or a basic pattern of down-up strums. This simplicity enables beginners to concentrate on learning chord changes and getting comfortable playing them. Click here for the guitar tab.
Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran
One of the most-played tracks of 2014, the song features a simple chord progression and a moderate tempo, making it accessible for novice players to pick up. The primary chords utilized in "Thinking Out Loud" are D, G, and Em. The chords are simple to form and flow between, making it easier for beginners to play them. The section of the song that goes, "Maybe we found love right where we are," includes a chord change for each phrase. This can be challenging at first, but with practice, it can be mastered. Click here for the guitar tab.
"Circles" by Post Malone
"Circles" by Post Malone originally wasn't acoustic. Like many modern tunes, "Circles" can be played acoustically. Many musicians and cover artists have simplified the arrangement, used acoustic instruments, and altered the vocal delivery to make acoustic renditions of the song. There is a flowing acoustic strum throughout. It's really simple because it consists primarily of a single-chord sequence. The basic chord progression would include chords such as Am, F, C, and G. The most challenging part is remembering where the chord changes are. Click here for the guitar tab.
"Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd's most iconic song is recognized as a classic rock anthem that continues to resonate with listeners around the world. "Wish You Were Here" is an emotive and introspective song about nostalgia and lost connections. Despite its intricate-sounding intro, the song primarily revolves around basic open chords (Em, G, C , D), making it accessible to beginners. Click here for the guitar tab.
"Let It Be" by The Beatles
The song's upbeat melody and stirring lyrics set it apart as an enduring song of strength and optimism. Even though this song was written on the piano, it plays just as beautifully when translated to the guitar. Featuring simple chords (C, G, Am, F) and a memorable melody, this is a good choice for easy songs to learn on an acoustic guitar which helps in improving strumming and chord-switching skills. Click here for the guitar tab.
"Time of Your Life (Good Riddance)" by Green Day
One of the popular songs by Green Day. It is a simple yet heartfelt acoustic ballad that's perfect for beginner guitarists. The rawness of the song contributes to the song's intimate and emotive atmosphere. With its basic chord progression (G, Cadd9, D, Em7), this song is great for practicing fingerpicking and strumming techniques. Click here for the guitar tab.
More easy songs to learn on an acoustic guitar for beginners:
-"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan -"Horse with No Name" by America -"Wonderwall" by Oasis -"Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen / Jeff Buckley -"House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals -"Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's -“About a Girl” – Nirvana
We hope that these recommendations will be beneficial as you embark on your acoustic guitar journey. When practicing the above easy songs to learn on an acoustic guitar, there can be a challenge of getting backing tracks of the songs. With the AudioRetune app, you can generate backing tracks for any song instantly. Utilizing AudioRetune's AI technology, you can adjust instrument and vocal volumes in real time on your device, eliminating the need to wait. Simply choose your desired song and split the instrument and vocal levels instantly. Try it for yourself!