Easy Guitar Songs by Genre: Rock, Pop, Blues, Folk, Country and Classical
Every genre has its own techniques and favourite chords. Pick the style you love and use these songs as a roadmap.
We list the chords commonly used to play each song and describe the feel. We do not publish lyrics or full transcriptions — use the original recording and a licensed lyrics or tab service to play along. Some recordings use a capo or a different key; use our transposer and capo finder to match them.
Rock
Techniques: power chords, palm muting, riffs, eighth-note down-strums. An electric guitar with some distortion helps.
| Song | Artist | Chords | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke on the Water | Deep Purple | Riff in power chords / double stops | The classic first riff |
| Seven Nation Army | The White Stripes | Single-note riff | One string, seven notes |
| Wild Thing | The Troggs | A, D, E, G | Big open chords |
| Zombie | The Cranberries | Em, C, G, D | Loud chorus down-strums |
| Sweet Home Alabama | Lynyrd Skynyrd | D, C, G | Riff-based picking |
Pop
Techniques: the four-chord progression, capo use, syncopated strumming.
| Song | Artist | Chords | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Let It Be | The Beatles | C, G, Am, F | Piano song that works on guitar |
| Perfect | Ed Sheeran | G, Em, C, D (capo 1) | 6/8 ballad |
| I'm Yours | Jason Mraz | G, D, Em, C (capo 4) | Reggae-style chops |
| Riptide | Vance Joy | Am, G, C, F | Quick changes |
| Save Tonight | Eagle-Eye Cherry | Am, F, C, G | Four-chord loop |
Blues
Techniques: 12-bar form, shuffle rhythm, seventh chords, minor pentatonic soloing, bends. Start with the 12-bar blues in A (A7, D7, E7), then learn the classic "boogie" rhythm on the 5th and 4th strings:
A5 boogie (shuffle feel) e|-------------------------| B|-------------------------| G|-------------------------| D|-2--2--4--4--5--5--4--4--| A|-0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--| E|-------------------------|
Move the same pattern to the D and G strings for D5, and to the A and E strings (E string open, A string 2-4-5-4) for E5.
Folk and singer-songwriter
Techniques: fingerpicking, Travis picking, capo, bass-strum patterns.
| Song | Artist | Chords | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blowin' in the Wind | Bob Dylan | G, C, D | Folk strum |
| Heart of Gold | Neil Young | Em, C, D, G | Strummed with harmonica breaks |
| Redemption Song | Bob Marley | G, Em, C, Am, D | Picked and strummed |
| Hallelujah | Leonard Cohen | C, Am, F, G, E7 | 6/8 fingerpicking |
| House of the Rising Sun | The Animals | Am, C, D, F, E | Arpeggio classic |
Country
Techniques: alternating bass-strum, hybrid picking, G–C–D in open position.
| Song | Artist | Chords | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ring of Fire | Johnny Cash | G, C, D | Boom-chick bass-strum |
| Jolene | Dolly Parton | Am, C, G, Em (capo 4) | Fast fingerpicked pattern |
| Take Me Home, Country Roads | John Denver | G, Em, D, C | Sing-along |
| Wagon Wheel | Old Crow Medicine Show | G, D, Em, C | Four-chord loop |
Classical and public-domain pieces
These melodies are in the public domain, so we can give you the full tab. Great for practising single notes.
Ode to Joy (Beethoven) — main theme
e|-0-0-1-3-3-1-0-----------0---0-----| B|---------------3-1-1-3-----3---3---| G|-----------------------------------|
Greensleeves (traditional) — chords
Am, C, G, Em, F, E. Play in 3/4 with a bass note followed by two strums, or fingerpick pattern 2 from our fingerpicking guide.
Frequently asked questions
What genre is easiest to learn on guitar?
Folk, country and simple pop use open chords and steady strumming, making them easiest. Punk and simple rock with power chords are also beginner-friendly on electric.
Can I play rock on an acoustic guitar?
Yes, many rock songs sound great strummed on acoustic. Heavily distorted riffs sound best on electric.
