Starting guitar is exciting — until you try your first chord and realize your fingertips aren't ready yet. That's normal. And the fix isn't more practice hours: it's practicing the right songs.

The best beginner songs share three things: few chords (ideally 3 or 4), a tempo slow enough to switch between them calmly, and a melody you already know by heart. We've gathered 18 songs that tick every box — from the easiest (2 chords) to a few that ask for a little more. Every chord sheet is complete, free, and ad-free here on Toca Aquela.

The first chords you need to know

Five open chords unlock most of the beginner repertoire. Learn these and you can already play dozens of songs:

• E minor (Em) — the easiest of all, just two fingers. Start here.
• G major (G) — the folk and pop workhorse.
• C major (C) — the hardest of the five, but essential.
• D major (D) — sounds full and is great for practicing your strumming.
• A minor (Am) — melancholic, beautiful, and nearly the same shape as E major.

If you can move between G, Em, C, and D without freezing up, you're ready for most of the songs below. Don't worry about F yet: it needs a barre and can wait.

Play your first song in 10 minutes

Grab E minor (Em) and A minor (Am) — two similar, easy shapes. Strum each one four times, slowly, switching on the beat. That's it: you're making music. From there, add G, C, and D one at a time.

Songs with 2 or 3 chords (start here)

Horse With No Name — America

Chords: Em, D6 · Difficulty: 2 chords. The entire song in two chords. No excuse not to try it on day one.

Three Little Birds — Bob Marley

Chords: A, D, E · Difficulty: 3 chords. "Don't worry about a thing" — three chords, a relaxed strum, and a chorus everyone knows.

Trem-Bala — Ana Vilela

Chords: A, D, E · Difficulty: 3 chords. One of Brazil's biggest recent hits — three chords and a moving lyric. Perfect for singing along.

Knockin' on Heaven's Door — Bob Dylan

Chords: G, D, Am, C · Difficulty: 3 to 4 chords. Slow tempo, a handful of chords that repeat throughout. You'll feel like a guitarist right away.

Songs with 4 chords

Stand By Me — Ben E. King

Chords: G, Em, C, D · Difficulty: 4 chords. The progression is cyclic — so you drill every transition the whole way through. An exercise disguised as a classic.

Zombie — The Cranberries

Chords: Em, C, G, D · Difficulty: 4 chords. Four chords from start to finish. Heavy on emotion, simple on the hands.

Riptide — Vance Joy

Chords: Am, G, C · Difficulty: 4 chords. A modern hit built on Am–G–C. The fingerpicking is fun and addictive.

Amigo — Roberto Carlos

Chords: G, Em, C, D · Difficulty: 4 chords. A beloved Brazilian classic — steady tempo and guaranteed emotional payoff.

Let Her Go — Passenger

Chords: G, D, Em, C · Difficulty: 4 chords. A gorgeous fingerpicked intro, a simple strum in the verses, and a rewarding chorus.

Let It Be — The Beatles

Chords: C, G, Am, F · Difficulty: 4 chords. The anthem of calm. Four of the most useful chords on guitar, in one of the best-known melodies in the world.

Imagine — John Lennon

Chords: C, F, G, Am · Difficulty: 4 chords. Slow, spacious, and forgiving — plenty of time to place each chord.

A little more (5 chords, capo, or a light barre)

Wonderwall — Oasis

Chords: Em7, G, Dsus4, A7sus4 (with capo) · Difficulty: 5 chords. The shapes look odd but are easy to hold, and the strum forgives mistakes. Clamp on a capo and go.

A Banda — Chico Buarque

Chords: G, D, Em, C, Am · Difficulty: 5 chords. The 3/4 time signature is unusual but quickly feels natural. An accessible Brazilian masterpiece.

Wish You Were Here — Pink Floyd

Chords: G, Em, Am, C, D · Difficulty: 5 chords. The arpeggiated intro is great fingerpicking practice, and the emotional weight keeps you motivated.

O Que É, O Que É — Gonzaguinha

Chords: G, D, Am7, C · Difficulty: 4 to 5 chords. One of the most beautiful lyrics in Brazilian music about being alive. Friendly chords, unforgettable melody.

Ausência — Marília Mendonça

Chords: G, C, D, Em · Difficulty: 4 chords. Sertanejo at just the right level for beginners: four open chords and a chorus to belt out.

Emoções — Roberto Carlos

Chords: Am, F, C, G, E · Difficulty: 5 chords (with F). A classic minor-key ballad. It has the F chord, so save it for once you're comfortable with the barre.

Tears in Heaven — Eric Clapton

Chords: A, E, F#m, D · Difficulty: 5+ chords. The most advanced on the list, but the melody is so beautiful that every bit of difficulty is worth it. A good goal for your second or third week.

Common beginner mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Pressing too hard. Use the minimum force needed for a clean sound. Anything more tires your hand and slows your changes.

Changing chords too late. Anticipate: start moving your fingers a beat before the change and land on the new chord right on time.

Practicing fast. Muscle memory is built by precise repetition, not speed. Slow and steady wins.

Sessions that are too long. Fifteen to twenty minutes a day beats two hours on the weekend — and hurts your fingers less.

Sore fingertips go away

Sore fingertips are temporary: calluses form within 2 to 3 weeks of regular practice. Until then, short daily sessions are your best friend. Push through — there's a guitarist on the other side of those two weeks.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest song to play on guitar?

"Horse With No Name" by America uses just two chords (Em and D6) and is probably the easiest playable song there is. Right after come the three-chord songs, like "Three Little Birds" and "Trem-Bala".

How many chords do I need to know to start?

Four chords — G, Em, C, and D — are enough to play dozens of songs. Add A minor (Am) and you unlock hundreds more.

How long does it take to learn guitar?

With 15 to 20 minutes a day, most people play their first full song in one to two weeks and change chords fluently within one to two months. Consistency matters more than duration.

Do I need a capo for these songs?

Most don't need one. A few, like "Wonderwall", sound better with a capo, but you can play every 4-chord song on this list with no accessories at all.

Where should I start?

Start with "Horse With No Name" or "Three Little Birds" today. Pick one, open the full chord sheet here on Toca Aquela, and play along slowly. Tomorrow, add the next one.