20 acoustic guitar songs every beginner should learn

If you’re just getting started, learning songs is one of the fastest and most enjoyable ways to improve. Here’s why:

• 🎶 Learn real chord progressions – Songs show how chords fit together musically.

• 🕒 Improve rhythm and timing – Playing along helps you keep a steady beat.

• 💪 Build muscle memory – Repeating chord changes in songs speeds up progress.

• 🎸 Practise strumming and picking – Songs teach you real technique, not just theory.

• 🔥 Stay motivated – It’s more fun to practise when you’re playing music you love.

• 👂 Train your ear – Recognising chord changes helps you learn faster.

• 🎤 Get performance-ready – You’ll be playing full songs before you know it.

I played my first gig just three months after picking up a guitar — all thanks to learning songs early on.

So, what makes a good first song to learn on acoustic guitar?

Not all songs are beginner-friendly. Here’s what to look for when choosing your first few:

• Basic open chords – like G, C, D, Em, A

• Easy strumming patterns – steady and simple

• Popular and familiar – songs you already know are easier to follow

• Repetitive progressions – chord changes that repeat often help you learn faster

💡ARTMASTER TIP: Want the right tools for learning acoustic guitar? Try our free chord chart generator, metronome, and guitar tuner — all in one place.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — it depends on your taste. I grew up on Nirvana, and while their songs helped me build strumming strength and power chord confidence, they’re not ideal for acoustic guitar beginners (unless you're a diehard fan).

But if you're looking for something truly beginner-friendly, this is a great place to start:

🎵 “For What It’s Worth” – Buffalo Springfield

Chords: E, A

Why it works: Two of the easiest open chords, a slow tempo, and a laid-back strumming pattern make this a perfect first song.

💡 TIP: Focus on smooth chord changes and keeping your rhythm steady — that’s what gives the song its relaxed groove.

Don’t take my word for it, Orbel Babayan (Scars on Broadway) chose it as your first song in his ArtMaster Acoustic for Beginners course. Check out his free lesson below where he teaches you how to play it. 👇

Playing your first song

Find out how to start playing "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield. To take full advantage of it, make sure you have learnt E and A chords first:

💡 Feeling inspired?

Try Orbel’s full Acoustic Guitar for Beginners course with a free 7-day trial — and learn more songs just like this one.

👉 Start your free trial now

Wonderwall makes the list — controversial, I know. But with its colourful chord shapes and strong melody, it’s actually a great acoustic song to learn early on (unless you can’t stand it, of course).

Here are 10 beginner-friendly acoustic guitar songs, roughly ordered from easiest to most challenging. Many share similar chords and patterns — so once you’ve learned a few, the rest will come much easier.

First on the list is another 2 chord guitar song:

1. "Horse With No Name" by America

• Chords: Em, D6add9/F#

Two chords make it easy to learn and ideal for practising strumming and rhythm. Pay attention to the rhythm and strumming pattern to give the song its distinctive desert feel.

2. "Love Me Do" by The Beatles

• Chords: G, C, D

Simple and fun song using easy-to-play chords. If you have one handy, you or a friend could practice the harmonica part along with the guitar to get a fuller experience.

3. "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith

• Chords: Am, F, C

Slow tempo makes it easy to follow along. Focus on the timing and dynamics of your strumming to match the emotional depth of the song.

4. "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry

• Chords: D, A, E

A rock and roll classic that is not only fun to play but also helps beginners understand basic blues and rock progressions.

Once you’re confident with 3-chord songs, move on to these four-chord favourites:

5. "Riptide" by Vance Joy

• Chords: Am, G, C, F

Repetitive strumming pattern, making it very beginner-friendly. Focus on consistent strumming and chord changes to keep up with the song’s upbeat tempo.

6. "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran

• Chords: G, Em, C, D

Simple chord progression, great for practising smooth transitions. Practice fingerpicking the intro to add a touch of complexity and beauty to the song.

7. "Let Her Go" by Passenger

• Chords: G, C, D, Em

Gentle strumming pattern. Try fingerpicking to bring out the song’s delicate and emotional qualities.

8. "Shallow" by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

• Chords: Em, D, G, C

Simple chords at slow tempo, making it easy to follow. Emphasize dynamics in your strumming to match the song’s powerful build-up.

9. "Someone Like You" by Adele

• Chords: A, E, F#m, D

With simple chords and a beautiful melody, this song is both easy to play and emotionally engaging. Work on your timing and finger placement to capture the song's emotional impact.

10. "Wonderwall" by Oasis

• Chords: Em7, G, Dsus4, A7sus4, Cadd9

More varied, colourful chords with a simple strumming pattern. Focus on mastering the strumming pattern and chord transitions to capture the song’s iconic sound.

💡ARTMASTER TIP: Not sure how to read chord diagrams yet? Check out our free guide: — How to play any guitar chord

Already working through the top 10? Here are 10 more beginner-friendly songs worth adding to your list. Most use simple chord progressions and sound great on acoustic guitar.

• “Photograph” – Ed Sheeran
  Chords: E, C#m, A, B
  A heartfelt ballad with a smooth pop-rock progression. Great for chord clarity and finger strength.

• “Budapest” – George Ezra
  Chords: G, C, Am, F
  Catchy and relaxed, this one teaches you steady strumming and timing.

• “Blackbird” – The Beatles
  Chords: G, A7, C, C#m, D, Em, F#m
  A bit trickier, but a classic fingerpicking piece that improves accuracy and finesse.

• “Yellow” – Coldplay
  Chords: G, D, C, Em
  Open chords and simple timing make this perfect for beginners who want a mellow, emotional tune.

• “Tenerife Sea” – Ed Sheeran
  Chords: D, A, Bm, G
  A smooth progression and gentle feel make this ideal for learning chord transitions.

• “Three Little Birds” – Bob Marley
  Chords: A, D, E
  Easy, upbeat, and iconic. Great for building rhythm and a relaxed feel.

• “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
  Chords: G, C, D, Em
  A feel-good favourite that helps with quick chord changes and consistent strumming.

• “Hey There Delilah” – Plain White T’s
  Chords: D, F#m, Bm, G, A
  A melodic tune that’s great for learning arpeggios and fingerstyle basics.

• “Zombie” – The Cranberries
  Chords: Em, Cmaj7, G6, D/F#
  Atmospheric and powerful — a nice intro to more colourful chord voicings.

• “Blowin’ in the Wind” – Bob Dylan
  Chords: G, C, D
  Folk classic with an easy-to-follow progression. Great for singing along too.

It's always handy to have some tips to keep you focused. Here are a few to help you make the most of your practice sessions:

• Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key to improvement.

• Start Slow: Play songs at a slower tempo initially, then gradually increase speed.

• Use a Metronome: Helps maintain a steady rhythm. Find out how here.

• Record Yourself: Listening to recordings can help identify areas for improvement.

• Fretboard Familiarity: Learn the notes on the fretboard to understand chord shapes and scales.

• Chord Transitions: Practice changing chords slowly at first, ensuring each note rings clearly.

• Strumming Techniques: Experiment with different strumming patterns to develop a sense of rhythm.

• Finger Strength: Exercises like pressing down on the strings with each finger can improve strength and dexterity.

• Ear Training: Try to play songs by ear to develop your musical ear and recognize chords and progressions.

💡ARTMASTER TIP: Find out more practice tips in our comprehensive guide - The art of effective music practice

Every time you pick up your guitar, you should tune up. Fortunately, we have a great guide to tuning your guitar.

Here’s a simple, balanced routine you can follow in just 30–45 minutes:

• 🎸 Warm-up (5 mins)
  Do basic finger exercises to loosen up your hands and improve dexterity.

• 🎼 Chord practice (10–15 mins)
  Focus on clean chord transitions. Use a metronome to keep a steady pace.

• 🎵 Strumming patterns (5–10 mins)
  Practise different rhythms — start slow and build consistency.

• 🎶 Song practice (10–15 mins)
  Pick one or two songs you enjoy and work on sections that challenge you.

• 🧘 Cool down (5 mins)
  Finish with relaxed playing or some light improvisation to keep it fun.

💡ARTMASTER TIP: Don’t rush. Consistent, focused practice beats long, unfocused sessions every time.

If you’re serious about learning acoustic guitar, I highly recommend Orbel Babayan’s Acoustic for Beginners course. Orbel is an experienced guitarist (Scars on Broadway) with over 15 years of teaching and touring experience — and his course is designed to get you playing real songs fast, including several from the list above.

You can try it out for free with our FREE 7-Day Trial!

Now that you’ve learned a few songs, it’s time to build your foundation. Whether you’re figuring out your gear, learning new skills, or exploring how to play with feel — these guides will help you grow step by step.

• 🎸 Choosing your first guitar
  Not sure if your guitar’s the right fit? Start here before you upgrade or adjust your setup.

• 🎵 How to tune a guitar
  A clear guide to tuning by ear or with a tuner — essential before every practice.

• 🪛 How to change guitar strings
  Keep your guitar sounding clean and feeling great with fresh strings.

• 📖 How to read guitar tabs
  Unlock a huge library of songs by learning how to read tablature.

• 🧩 How to play any guitar chord
  Learn how chord shapes work and how to find your way around the fretboard.

• 🔧 Essential guitar techniques every player should know
  Add palm muting, hammer-ons, slides, and other expressive techniques to your playing.

• 🎛 How to sound like your guitar heroes (even without their gear)
  Tone tips and tricks that help you get great sound — no fancy gear needed.

🧠 Save these for later or explore one now — every step moves you closer to the guitarist you want to be.

❓ What are the easiest chords to learn on acoustic guitar?
The easiest chords for beginners are usually G, C, D, Em, A, and E. These are all open chords and appear in hundreds of songs.

❓ How long does it take to learn a song on guitar?
Most beginners can learn a simple 2–3 chord song within a few days or even a single practice session. Progress depends on how regularly you practise.

❓ Can I teach myself acoustic guitar?
Yes — with the right resources, consistent practice, and easy songs to start with, many people successfully teach themselves guitar at home.

❓ Do I need to learn music theory to play guitar?
Not at first. Learning a few basic chords and songs is more important in the beginning. Music theory becomes helpful later for songwriting, improvising, or advanced playing.

❓ Is it easier to learn on acoustic or electric guitar?
Electric guitars are a bit easier on the fingers, but acoustic guitars are more straightforward and portable. Either is fine — it depends on your musical goals.

About the author

Matt Ford is a musician, teacher, writer, and lifelong student of sound.

With years of experience in both performing and teaching, he shares practical advice through ArtMaster to help musicians at every level build skill and confidence in their playing.