Did you know that some of your favorite hits by your favorite artists are actually really simple to play on the guitar? Come along and discover four amazing songs for new players.

Stand by Me – Ben E. King

This is a smooth and classic song, easy to play on the guitar. It came out in 1960 and, to this day, almost everyone knows it. It is easy to play because it only has four chords, which are the same throughout the entire song.

The strumming patterns are fun and will help you get better at the rhythm. And since it is so widely enjoyed, you can play it for your friends and family.

Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes

This is the first song a lot of beginners learn.

It sounds good on an electric or an acoustic guitar. It’s perfect to start out because the main riff can be played on just one string. While many songs train you to move around the strings, this one is great for practicing moving your fingers on the fretboard.

Shake It Off – Taylor Swift

For this song, you’ll only have to play three simple chords. Needless to say, Shake It Off is a huge hit that people of all ages love. You can play with just two fingers and the chords are always the same throughout the song. The strumming pattern is simple, fun and pleasing.

Radioactive – Imagine Dragons

This is another perfect song for beginners. The chords are easy and remain the same all the way through to the end of the song. It’s not very fast to play but the patterns are still quite interesting and different.
With time and practice, you’ll get to master these four suggestions.

These are the four points you simply cannot forget about when you decide to start your guitar jamming sessions.

The first step

After you decide to start playing the guitar you must determine whether you want to be self-taught and learn on your own or take guitar lessons. Nowadays, there are dozens of good guitar courses online that keep beginners interested and encouraged, while teaching them the basics, the best tips and the tricks that make the difference.

If you prefer taking private or group classes, that’s also a great choice. It can help you be more focused and committed. The way you learn should be tailored to you so that you can start adopting learning habits that are both enjoyable and serious from the beginning.

Acoustic or electric

Both types are suitable for beginners and both have advantages. It all depends on what you prefer and what kind of music you will play the most. Acoustic guitars are more affordable because they don’t require extra equipment.

And the heavy strings will train you better from the start.On the other hand, electric guitars are easier to strum as they have thin strings. The reach and the grip will also be easier because of their slimmer neck.

The best strings

When choosing which strings to buy, you need to consider the gauge and the sound. It’s probably better, to begin with, lighter strings since they create less tension and make it easier to play.

Acoustic players should look for a gauge of 0.011 to 0.52 inches. For electric guitars, the ideal gauge is of 0.009 to 0.042 inches.

When it comes to the string materials, they produce very different tones. The best acoustic guitar strings are made of phosphor bronze or 80/20 bronze. The first ones create darker and more mellow sounds, while the latter is great for bright and metallic tones.

For the electrics, nickel and stainless steel are the perfect strings. Nickel strings allow for definition and articulation, especially for blues, rock and jazz music. The stainless steel produces strong and big sounds for heavier rock.

Equipment

Additional equipment can make a big difference in technique and sound. There are dozens of amazing pieces of equipment to improve your music, but these are the essentials.

Picks

As you go along, try out picks different in size, shape, material and thickness. You’ll be able to understand which ones are better for you and your guitar. Generally, plastic picks are a great beginner choice because they offer grip and flexibility.

Start out with picks of medium thickness and standard shape and size. They will warrant solid and easy holding.

Strap

A strap is crucial to stabilizing the guitar and you have countless designs and materials to choose from. But whichever those are, the strap must be comfortable with a minimum width of 2 inches and extra padding for the shoulder.

For acoustic guitars, you also need to get two strap pins.

Tuner

The best alternatives are electronic, chromatic, clip-on or app tuners.

Feeling more prepared already? Never forget these essential steps as you move along.