Getting started on guitar is easier when you learn songs that use basic chords and are recognizable to friends and family. Here are some of the most recommended beginner guitar songs with simple chord progressions:
- Learning to Fly – Tom Petty (Chords: F, C, Am, G)[1]
- Used to Love Her – Guns N’ Roses (Chords: D, A, G)[1]
- Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison (Chords: G, C, D, Em, D7)[1]
- Stand By Me – Ben E. King[2]
- Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen[2]
- Creep – Radiohead[2]
- Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers[2]
- Sound of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel[2]
- Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes[3]
- Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple[3]
- Horse With No Name – America[3]
- Heart of Gold – Neil Young[5]
Many of these songs use two or three basic chords, repetitive strumming patterns, and are designed to build confidence and skills for beginners. Popular choices like “Learning to Fly” and “Brown Eyed Girl” feature easy chord changes and melodic, familiar progressions. Songs such as “Stand By Me” and “Horse With No Name” are often recommended by instructors for being instantly recognizable while requiring only a handful of open chords.