So, you’ve decided to dive into the world of guitar? Great! I bet you have a lot of questions about the instrument, but I’m going to bet your most burning questions are “where do I start?” and “what songs can I play right away?”. You might also be wondering if you can start with one-string guitar songs. The answer is YES, but they are usually very short, or are riffs played in longer songs. In this article, I am going to show you 10 different songs on one string that you can play, even if you have never picked up a guitar before!
Before starting, I recommend learning the names of the strings on your guitar. The order of the strings from the thickest string to the thinnest string is EADGBE. If you are an absolute beginner, you can remember the acronym “Eddy Ate Dynamite Good Bye Eddy” to help you remember the order! The thinnest string is also known as the first string, while the thickest string is the sixth string.
I have written out the notes in this article as a simplified version of tablature. Tablature is a way of learning music that uses numbers and lines to represent frets and strings on the guitar. In this case, I have only written out the numbers, since all of these songs only use one string. Each number represents a fret on your guitar, which you will press with your index finger and play with your dominant hand thumb or a plastic pick.
Want to follow along with me? Pull up this free video lesson where I help walk you through all of these tunes!
What’s the Easiest Song to Play on Guitar?
If you’re a beginner guitarist, the thought of playing a song can be daunting. However, there are plenty of easy songs out there that can help you get started. Here are a few songs that are perfect for beginners:
- “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”: This classic children’s song is perfect for beginners. It only uses three chords, and the melody is easy to follow.
- “Wild World”: This Cat Stevens song only uses four chords, but it’s still catchy and enjoyable to play.
- “Vienna”: This song by Billy Joel is a bit more challenging than the others on this list, but it’s still a great choice for beginners. It uses six chords, but the rhythm is slow and easy to follow.
Once you’ve mastered these songs, you’ll be ready to tackle more challenging guitar tunes.
Need help getting started? Consider signing up for guitar lessons. You’ll learn all the best beginner easy one string guitar songs, plus other helpful tips. Just check out the video below for tips:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tKEkV7bB1E
How Do You Play Easy One String Songs on Guitar?
You can play easy one string songs on guitar by using a variety of different techniques. For instance, you can use a basic strumming pattern to play simple chords.
Alternatively, you can use single-note melodies to create catchy riffs.
Additionally, you can try adding embellishments such as slides, bends, and vibrato to give your playing more expression.
If you practice these techniques, then before long you’ll be able to play a variety of easy one string songs on guitar.
What is the Fastest Way to Strum One String on a Guitar?
There are a few different ways to strum one string on a guitar. The most common way is to use your index finger, but you can also use your middle or ring finger. Another option is to use a picks.
Strumming with your index finger is the most popular method because it gives you the most control over the string. You can vary the speed and pressure of your strumming to get different sounds. It takes some practice to get the hang of it, but once you do it’s very versatile.
Middle and ring finger strumming is less common, but some guitarists prefer it because it feels more natural. It can be harder to get a consistent sound with this method, but it can add a bit more flair to your playing.
Picks are generally used for electric guitars, but can be used on acoustic guitars as well. They give you a very precise sound and make it easy to play fast passages. If you’re looking for speed, then using a pick is the way to go.
So, what is the fastest way to strum one string on a guitar? That really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want versatility and control, then using your index finger is the best option. If you’re looking for speed and precision, then using a pick is the way to go. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference so try out all the different methods and see which one works best for you.
Best One-String Guitar Songs to Practice
Playing the guitar is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Below, we will take a look at some of the best one-string guitar songs that you can learn to play.
Hot Cross Buns (1st string)
Let’s start with a classic song that many children learn as their first song on their instruments. Hot Cross Buns, also known as Three Blind Mice, is played on our thinnest string on the guitar. Start with your index and put it on the 4th fret. Now, take either your thumb or pick and pluck the string gently to play the note. Next, move your index finger to the 2nd fret and play that note. The last note to know are the 0’s in the tab, which represents the open string, which means we do not fret anything. Here are the notes…
4-2-0 4-2-0 0-0-0-0 2-2-2-2 4-2-0
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor (6th string)
Hot Cross Buns was played on the high E string, now let’s try a song with bass notes! Eye of the Tiger was made popular from the Rocky films. This riff repeats throughout the entire song and is played on your thickest string! Try playing this along with the music track after you learn the notes!
8 8-6-8 8-6-8 8-3-4
We Will Rock You by Queen (5th String)
Now let’s try a song that you can play with friends and family! We Will Rock You is THE song of every sporting event. If you want to get friends/family involved, have them stomp their feet twice and then clap to create the notorious beat of the song! Try this song on you’re A string, which is your second thickest string.
9-8-6-4 6-6 6-6
Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana (6th string)
Now let’s take a look at some Grunge music! Smells Like Teen Spirit has one of the most recognizable bass lines in Rock’n’Roll history.
1-1 6-6 4-4 9-9
Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple (4th string)
I know, this is one of the forbidden guitar songs besides Stairway to Heaven! However, this is a great riff for beginners as there are only a few different notes.
0-3-5 0-3-6-5 0-3-5-3-0
Mission Impossible Theme (3rd string)
One of my favorite genres to play fingerstyle are movie soundtracks. Try this recognizable theme played on the guitar’s G string!
2-2 5-7 2-2 0-1
Sunshine of Your Love by Cream (4th string)
Here’s one of my favorite riffs in rock history! This time, let’s play the notes on the D string!
12-12-10-12 7-6-5 0-3-0
Seven Nation Army by White Stripes (5th string)
Here is another classic bass line! This riff played on the A string is also repetitive throughout the entire song.
7-7-10-7-5-3-2 7-7-10-7-5-3-5-3-2
You Really Got Me by The Kinks (6th string)
Here is a longer riff, but is also repeated throughout the entire song. You Really Got Me was originally written by The Kinks, but many of you might know it from the cover by Van Halen.
1-3-3-1-3 (4 times)
3-5-5-3-5 (4 times)
8-10-10-8-10 (4 times)
Paint it Black by The Rolling Stones (2nd string)
And finally, one of the most famous riffs in Rock history!
5-7-8-10-8-7-5-5-4-5-7-5-4
Mary Had a Little Lamb
“Mary Had a Little Lamb” is another classic nursery rhyme that is perfect for beginners. This song only uses two chords—G and D—and can be played using a method called “strumming.” To strum this song on a one-string guitar, hold down the frets with your left hand and use your right hand to brush across the string in an up-and-down motion
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” is yet another nursery rhyme that can be played relatively easily on a one-string guitar. This song uses the same two chords—G and D—as “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” To play this song, hold down the frets with your left hand and use your right hand to strum the string in an up-and-down motion.
Guitar One String Songs are Fun and Easy to Play!
As you can see, there are plenty of great one-string guitar songs that you can learn to play regardless of your skill level. So grab your guitar and get started today with guitar lessons!
I hope this shows that not everything on the guitar has to be complex or difficult, and that one-string guitar songs are a great way to begin. Most of these songs can be played with only one finger, but as you get comfortable you can start playing notes with multiple fingers.
You can also try playing these same songs, but change the strings they are played on to see how they sound. Who knows, you might like Paint it Black played on your 6th string to give it more bass qualities. Play around with these to find your groove, and enjoy the music!
Zach Deyo