Learn to Play 20 Easy, Three Chord, Guitar Songs

It’s amazing just how many songs you can learn to play just by knowing three guitar chords! If you’re a beginner guitarist, or just looking for some easy, strum-along songs, then this lesson should be just what you’re looking for.

I have compiled a list of 20 easy songs that all use just three open chords. Most of these songs use chords I, IV and V of a key (known as the primary chords, or primary triads) and so, in the key of G (for example) you would have G (the first chord, chord I), C (the fourth chord- counting “G A B C” is four letters) and D (the fifth chord- “G A B C D”- Five letters). These are the most common chords used in any key, and in a major key they are all major chords (how to play major chords).

Sometimes chord V (five) becomes a 7th chord (i.e. D7 in the key of G), but if you like you can ignore the “7″ part of the chord, so you would just play D, instead of D7 (how to play 7th chords).

Songs in the Key of G (G, C and D)

• Knocking on Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan
• Blowing in the Wind – Bob Dylan
• Paperback Writer – The Beatles
• I Feel Fine – The Beatles
• Oh My Darling Clementine – Traditional
• She’ll Be Coming ’round the Mountain – Traditional
• Tush – ZZ Top
• Doo Wah Diddy – Manfred Mann
• Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash

Songs in the key of C (C, F and G)

• Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport – Rolf Harris

Songs in the key of A (A, D and E)

• Wild Thing – The Troggs
• Bye Bye Love- The Everly Brothers
• Stir It Up – Bob Marley
• Rock Around the Clock – Bill Haley and the Comets
• Blue Suede Shoes – Elvis Presley
• Row, Row, Row Your Boat – Traditional
• Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry
• King of the Road – Roger Miller
• Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum

Other Songs

• Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – Traditional

Happy strumming

Rob.

June 30, 2010 at 11:00 pm | Guitar Technique and Exercises, How to | 2 comments

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