Ready to learn a few fun songs to play on the guitar? Guitar teacher Heather L. picked out 7 easy and classic tunes, just for you…
So, you’ve practiced your scales and played the songs out of your guitar method book. You’ve checked your posture, your hand position and your guitar technique. You’ve finished all of your theory homework. Now, you just want to play guitar! Here are seven classic and fun songs to play on guitar and a video for each.
7 Fun Guitar Songs
1. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison (G C D Em)
This song evokes all the fun of young love, and it’s easy. Strum four beats for every chord.
2. “Leaving on a Jet Plane” by John Denver (G C Em Am D)
The 1960’s singing trio, Peter, Paul and Mary may have made this song famous, but legendary singer/songwriter/guitarist John Denver wrote it. Like many of Denver’s hits, this classic guitar song has a light, lilting feeling.
3. “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan (G A D Bm)
“Blowin’ in the Wind” became one of the most influential and best known anti-war songs ever written. Here’s a great video of Bob Dylan performing this live on TV.
4. “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (D A G)
The title might suggest the opposite, but “Bad Moon Rising” is a bright and lively song. Listen carefully to the strumming pattern and the general rhythm in the intro, and you can then play it throughout.
5. “Yellow by Coldplay” (G D C G)
The strumming pattern that Coldplay chose in their original recording is simple: down strums all the way through. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t change it up a little!
6. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynard (D C G)
The fact that this popular hit song is so simple allows for greater creativity and ad lib on the part of the artist. Let the simplicity inspire a little riffing or a solo.
7. “Free Fallin'” by Tom Petty (D G Dsus D Asus)
In the beginning of this song, in the intro anyway, the chords are strummed only once each. For the rest of the song, you can strum however you like. Then again, I’m all for taking artistic liberties!
These are all easy, fun songs to play on guitar and let loose. But these fun tunes are also great opportunities to pay closer attention to your posture and hand position. So be sure that your fingers are arching easily over the frets, with the palm of your hand away from the back of the neck. Most importantly, have fun!
Looking for more great songs to learn on the guitar? A guitar teacher can help you choose songs that are appropriate for your skill level, and give you the support and guidance you need to get to the next level. Search for a guitar teacher now!
Heather L. teaches singing, piano, acting, and more in St. Augustine, FL, as well as through online lessons. She is a graduate of the prestigious Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and has performed with the New York and Royal Philharmonics, the New Jersey and Virginia Symphonies, the American Boy Choir, and the internationally renowned opera star Andrea Bocelli. Learn more about Heather here!
Photo by Maël Racapé
Megan L.