Answers to Everyday Questions : I am trying to learn guitar and I need songs to practice with, what are some easy songs to start out with?

I am trying to learn guitar and I need songs to practice with, what are some easy songs to start out with?

2 Responses to “I am trying to learn guitar and I need songs to practice with, what are some easy songs to start out with?”

1. naery said :
   November 4th, 2010 at 9:32 pm

   The simplified version of Hotel California is pretty easy, and it’s extremely good practice for chords and strumming patterns.

   Nothing Else Matters by Metallica.

   Dust in the Wind by Kansas (good for finger-picking practice)

   Faith by George Michael.

   That famous song by Sister Hazel (I forgot the title).

   Plush by Stone Temple Pilots

   Virtually anything by AC/DC (get the simplified version).

   Uncle John’s Band by The Grateful Dead

   Bad Moon Rising by (I forget)

   Also, very good reminder here: Don’t worry about speed in the beginning of learning a new song. Focus on finger placement first, then transitions, and only *then* build up to playing at speed.
2. ♫ A ♫ said :
   November 4th, 2010 at 9:51 pm

   I always tell people to start with Creedence Clearwater Revival songs. Those are the first full length songs I learned, and I learned them with an acoustic. These songs are really easy and fun to play.

   Bad Moon Rising (just 3 chords pretty much)
   Down on the Corner
   Proud Mary
   Grapevine
   Have You Ever Seen the Rain

   You Were Meant for Me (Jewel) is really easy to practice finger picking
   Louie, Louie (Kingsmen) is super easy…just a few power chords
   Smells Like Teen Spirit, Lake of Fire – Nirvana
   Glycerine – Bush
   Black Hole Sun – Soundgarden
   Lightning Crashes – Live (chords: E, B, F sharp)
   Don’t Panic – Coldplay
   Jane Says – Jane’s Addiction
   Like a Stone – Audioslave
   7 Nation Army – The White Stripes
   White Rabbit – Jefferson Airplane http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyCIaALujBQ

   These are all very easy and you can find the tabs on chordie.com or look for youtube lessons for the particular songs. You could also find some general lessons about basic techniques on youtube or get a book. I myself learned from a really good book I got from the library that taught me the basics. It’s important to learn a few basic chords first, so if you have not already done so, I suggest you learn the basic chords first. The more you practice, the better your playing will sound as your strumming and rhythm will improve.

   Good luck! I hope these song suggestions are helpful! Some are not traditionally acoustic, but you can play them that way anyway.