what makes an easy guitar song?

Obviously the first step in learning to play guitar is all about getting your chords and strums to a point where you are very comfortable with them but what happens then? Most students are very eager to start playing songs but often many people rush into trying to learn songs too early.

Learning to play guitar through songs is not the best way to improve and will actually slow you down!

I would prefer that you separate learning guitar from playing songs. In other words first learn your chords, strums, rhythm, chord connectors ECT and then move onto stage 2 - easy guitar songs when you feel very natural with guitar.

So what makes an easy guitar song?

Generally an easy song for guitar consists of just one progression for the entire song. For example in “Stand By Me” it’s always G - Em - C - D right throughout the entire song. Having just one progression means there’s less to challenge your mind or worry about.

Equally on the strumming side of things we want to have the same strum number repeating over and over for the entire duration of the song. This gives you a much smaller mountain to climb -

1 Progression + 1 Strum = The Song

Often after first learning your chords if you try to play songs which are too hard you’ll fail and get discouraged. Making the transition out of simply learning guitar and into really playing songs is a tentative time so you have to be careful about your song selection. There are a collection of well known beginner songs and even if they aren’t your favourites it’s best to start with them.

Later and with some playing experience you’ll be good enough to learn any song you like and won’t have to limit yourself in this way.

Continue onto Starting To Play Fingerstyle Guitar