What songs can you play with your easy guitar chords?
You’d be surprised that with your basic chords, you can now play your favorite songs from your favorite artists. Most of the wonderful songs of different genres are easy guitar chord songs made in simple chord progressions.
Easy Guitar Chord Songs
This song was a hit back in 1961 and then in 1986 but has become a timeless song. It was able to stay alive from one generation to another. Playing this song will inspire both the guitarist and the person listening with its comforting melody and message. As a beginner, you can surely play this song well with only four chords: G – Em – C – D – G, the first chord progression you learned with us.
The chords is the same in all parts of the song: Intro, Verse, Chorus, Instrumental and Outro.
G — Em — C D G (Capo 2)
- G – 2 bars of 4 counts (8 counts)
- Em – 2 bars of 4 counts (8 counts)
- C – 4 counts
- D – 4 counts
- G – 2 bars of 4 counts (8 counts)
You can strum it in counts 1, 3 and 4 (down strum), rest on count 2. Later on, you can explore other strum patterns.
The pop rock band, Maroon 5, released a pop ballad song in 2012 describing a romance that ended shortly. It is played in capo 4, placing your capo on the 4th fret. You can still play it without a capo if you’re comfortable with the lower pitch.
Just like the first song, it has the same chords with a different chord pattern. The best part is you also get to play the same chord pattern from intro, verse, chorus and the rap section until the end of the song: C G Em D. Each chord gets four (4) counts before you change chords.
This song is a gem, you’ll surely feel good playing a classic song, in 1962, from the legendary The Beatles. Who would’ve thought you only need three chords to play this song: G, C, and D? Don’t get pressured with the tempo, 148 bpm, because you can still play it with a down strum pattern on counts 1, 2, 3 , and 4 as a beginner.
Each chord gets four counts except for the last word of the verse: “please – – ” playing it with 8 counts, plus 1 count then a sudden break. The chord D major (D) in the bridge and instrumental part also gets 8 counts.
- Intro/Verse G C
- Bridge/Instrumental D C G
You can play the song by strumming on all four counts giving accent on counts 2 and 4.
Another bullet in your easy guitar chord songs is Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door. This song was written for a movie soundtrack and became a worldwide hit, reaching Top 10 in several countries with different versions from other famous artists in the industry. If you haven’t played an A minor (Am) chord yet, it looks exactly the same in form with E major (E), getting all fingers down with one string.
1-G 2 3-D 4, 1-Am 2 3 4
1-G 2 3-D 4, 1-C 2 3 4
Still counting one to four, strum G major (G) on count 1 and D major (D) on count 3, then A minor (Am) on count 1 of the 2nd cycle. Play the chords in this sequence all throughout the song.
You can also play it strumming on all four counts with G and D receiving 2 counts while Am and C get 4 counts each. The slow beat will allow you to adjust comfortably in playing the song.
Let’s go reggae with the famous Bob Marley! Indeed, don’t worry about a thing as the song would say because you only need three chords to play this song with a tempo of 76 bpm. This feel good music brings a good vibe to those who are listening, “singing don’t worry about a thing, ‘cause every little thing is gonna be alright”.
These are the chord patterns used in the song:
Chorus
A — D A (A – 8 counts; D – 4 counts; A – 4 counts)
A — D A (A – 8 counts; D – 4 counts; A – 4 counts)
Verse /Solo
A E A D
A E D A
This song ideally counts 1 n 2 n 3 n 4 n, strumming on every “n” to give you a reggae groove but as a beginner, you can still simply count one to four and strum on all four counts. All chords receive 4 counts each except for the 1st A major (A) chord on the chorus’ chord progression, it receives 8 counts or 2 bars of 4 counts. Therefore, don’t worry, you’ll find it very easy to play as you play along with the music during your practice.
To complete your list of easy guitar chord songs, how about this song from the 90s? It was written by Don Von Tress with him “just fooling around on the guitar and a drum machine“. The song is in the key of A Major (A) and has only two chords: A and E. You will surely enjoy playing this easy 2 chords song.
Your chord pattern is,
A — E —- A –
A – 3 bars of 4 counts or 12 counts; E – 4 bars of 4 counts or 16 counts ; A – 1 bar of 4 counts
This chord pattern applies to both verses and chorus.
If you can easily form your chords and change chords faster, then you can also explore other strum patterns or practice the exact strumming pattern of the song.
Play More Easy Guitar Chord Songs!
Those six (6) songs are just a few of a hundred easy guitar chord songs. You will enjoy guitar playing even as a beginner. You will make mistakes but you will surely play better if you build on the right foundation as you practice playing your basic guitar chords.
Remember, don’t learn everything so fast, take it slow! One song at a time and don’t forget to always go back to the basics of stretching, finger exercises and of course, cleaning your guitar before and after playing.
Nothing beats doing and learning the right way!
