25+ easy two-chord songs to play on piano or guitar

It’s all about space. With just two chords, your brain isn’t overloaded — so your ears and hands can focus on the stuff that matters: rhythm, timing, and how it feels to play. You’re not wrestling with finger positions or chasing complex changes. You’re just playing.

And that’s where the magic is. You can lock into a groove. Try out new left-hand patterns. Add dynamics. Build tension and release — all without needing more chords. In a good two-chord song, the repetition becomes a feature, not a limitation.

These songs aren’t just easier. They’re more open. And that openness is exactly what makes them powerful.

The magic of a two-chord song usually comes down to the relationship between the chords. Here are some tried-and-tested pairs:

• I–V: Think G and D, or C and G. Feels complete and satisfying.

• I–IV: C and F, or D and G. Smooth, mellow, often used in folk or gospel.

• I–♭VII: A bit moodier. Think D and C, or E and D.

• i–v (minor): Am and Em. Great for more introspective sounds.

If you’re writing your own song, try looping any of these pairs with a slow, steady beat and hum a melody over the top. You’ll be surprised how quickly something sticks.

💡 ARTMASTER TIP: To find out how to play different chords, check out our articles — How to play any guitar chord and How to play all piano chords.

For me, the best two-chord song is “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac. It just goes between Fmaj7 and G the whole time — and somehow still feels fresh.

The groove does all the work. The chords don’t really resolve, Stevie Nicks just glides over the top, and the whole thing pulls you in without trying too hard. It was their only U.S. number one, and decades later it blew up again on TikTok. Not bad for two chords.

As you can see, it is pretty simple to play on guitar and piano. On guitar, you just hold the same shape and then slide your fingers up 3 frets. On piano, it is all white notes, simply moving the F-A-C up one not to G-B-D.

If you want to play it on guitar, take a look at Orbel Babayan demonstrate how to play it and more importantly, how to strum it 👇

🎸 Want to play “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac — and actually make it sound good? Orbel Babayan teaches it in his Acoustic Guitar for Beginners course on ArtMaster, along with songs like “For What It’s Worth”, “Sweet Home Alabama”, and “Tennessee Whiskey”. You’ll learn the chords, rhythm, and feel — plus you’ll get extra resources including a professional backing track to play along to.

You can try the full course and get the resources free with your 7-day trial

It’s a perfect example of how much you can do with just two chords — if the feel is right. And it’s far from the only one.

You’ll find two-chord gems across folk, pop, rock, country and more. Some are mellow, some are driving, but they all work beautifully on both piano and guitar — and they give you space to focus on rhythm, timing, and feel without getting bogged down in complex harmony.

💡 ARTMASTER TIP: Two-chord songs are a great place to start — but if you understand how chords actually work, you’ll pick things up way faster (and sound better doing it).

Here are two free guides that’ll help, whatever you’re playing:

• How to play all piano chords — includes clear diagrams and practice tips

• How to play any guitar chord — plus a free video tutorial and interactive chord chart

Both are beginner-friendly, and they pair perfectly with the songs on this list.

Pop & Rock

• Royals – Lorde (C – D)
  Moody and sparse. Great for dynamics and vocal layering.

• What I Got – Sublime (D – G)
  Upbeat and fun. Try syncopated strumming or a reggae feel.

• Do I Wanna Know – Arctic Monkeys (Gm – Cm)
  Dark, bluesy, and hypnotic. Works brilliantly with sustain and pedal.

• Eleanor Rigby – The Beatles (Em – C)
  Minimal harmony with rich narrative. Great for dramatic delivery.

• Everything in Its Right Place – Radiohead (F – G)
  Dreamy and repetitive. Try subtle variations in timing and voicing.

• Horse with No Name – America (Em – D6add9/F#)
  A classic loop. Great for groove and relaxed playing.

• Stay – Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko (Am – F) (in sections)
  Emotional ballad — ideal for expressive playing.

• Say It Right – Nelly Furtado (F#m – E)
  Atmospheric and pulsing. Great for keyboard textures.

• Freedom – Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar (Bm – A)
  Driving and powerful — play it with energy.

• You Never Can Tell – Chuck Berry (C – G7)
  Rock and roll piano at its most joyful.

Indie, Blues & Alt

• Something in the Way – Nirvana (F#5 – D5)
  Haunting and sparse. Ideal for slow, expressive phrasing.

• All My Friends – LCD Soundsystem (D – A)
  Rhythmic and hypnotic. Great for building energy.

• Feelin’ Alright – Joe Cocker (C7 – F7)
  Groovy and loose. Try playing around with phrasing and feel.

• Breakerfall – Pearl Jam (D – C)
  Driving alt-rock. Good for right-hand consistency.

• The Adults Are Talking – The Strokes (G – D)
  A tight, angular groove. Try focusing on rhythm precision.

💡 Learning these songs? You’ll love what we’re working on.

• Meet Artie — the world’s first AI piano teacher that actually listens to your playing and gives real-time feedback to help you improve faster.

Want early access? Join the waitlist and be among the first to try Artie when it launches.

Sign up now for early access

Folk & Country

• Jambalaya – Hank Williams (C – G7)
  Cheerful and upbeat. Easy to sing and play.

• Tulsa Time – Don Williams (G – D)
  Classic country strumming — great for working on steadiness.

• You Gotta Move – Mississippi Fred McDowell / Stones (D – G)
  Simple blues with lots of feel.

• Down in the Valley – Traditional (C – G)
  Melodic and slow — nice for phrasing practice.

• Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton (A – Bm)
  Smooth and expressive. Great for slow ballad feel.

Easy & Singalong

• Row, Row, Row Your Boat – Traditional (C – G7)
  Perfect for absolute beginners.

• London Bridge is Falling Down – Traditional (C – G7)
  Great for kids or singalong settings.

• Are You Sleeping? – Traditional (C – G7)
  Simple call-and-response — good for coordination.

• Rain Rain Go Away – Traditional (C – G7)
  Short and predictable — great confidence builder.

• Hush Little Baby – Traditional (C – G)
  Gentle lullaby — easy to accompany.

Want to go beyond two chords?

Try our other lists:

• 👉 60+ easy 3-chord songs

• 👉 100+ songs you can play with just 4 chords

If you're looking for easy songs to start playing on guitar or piano, our beginner courses and guides are a great place to begin:

🎸 20 acoustic guitar songs every beginner should learn – This list features classic and modern acoustic guitar songs that are perfect for beginners. You’ll get tips on chord transitions, strumming patterns, and even a free video tutorial to help you play along.

🎹 20 beginner-friendly songs to learn on piano – These 20 easy piano songs are great for beginners, with clear guidance on chord progressions, hand placement, and rhythm. Plus, there’s a step-by-step tutorial on Let It Be by The Beatles to help you get started.

💡 Tip: Start slow, focus on smooth transitions, and enjoy the process—playing songs is the best way to learn! 🎶

Try our FREE 7-day trial now!