Beginner GuidePublished April 25, 2026

Easy Country Songs: 18 Brazilian Hits with Few Chords

Brazilian country music (sertanejo) is the most played musical style in Brazil — and also one of the easiest to learn on guitar. Most of the big hits use only 3, 4 or 5 chords, with simple rhythms that any beginner can master.

This guide brings together 18 country songs organized by number of chords, from classics with 2 chords to university hits with 4 chords. Each song comes with chord progression, rhythm tips and links to complete tabs.

Toca Aquela has over 112,000 free chord charts including the complete sertanejo catalog — from traditional to university — with chord diagrams and automatic transposition. All ad-free and always updated.

If you're still learning your first chords, we recommend our Easy Guitar Songs Guide before diving into sertanejo. But don't worry — sertanejo is probably the most accessible style for beginners.

Why Sertanejo is Perfect for Beginners

Modern sertanejo (university and classic) has characteristics that make learning much easier:

Few chords per song: rarely more than 4 or 5 different chords
Repetitive progressions: same sequence in verse and chorus
Constant rhythm: simple strumming, no complicated syncopations
Open chords: most use only open chords, no barre chords
Comfortable key: usually in G, C, D, Am — the easiest on guitar

Plus, they are songs everyone sings along to. When you play "Evidências" or "Fico Assim Sem Você," the whole circle participates — and that's extra motivation to keep practicing.

Basic Sertanejo Rhythm

Before the songs, it's important to master the basic university sertanejo rhythm:

Strumming: ↓ - ↓↑ - ↓ - ↓↑ (where ↓ = downstroke, ↑ = upstroke, - = pause)

Count: 1 - 2 and - 3 - 4 and

Practice this strumming on any chord (G works well) until it becomes automatic. 90% of sertanejo songs use exactly this rhythmic pattern.

Section 1: 2-Chord Songs

Almost impossible to get wrong. Perfect for those starting today.

1. Temporal de Amor — Leandro & Leonardo (Key: G)

Chords: G, D Progression: G - D - G - D (repeat throughout entire song) Absolute classic of traditional sertanejo. Just two major chords, slow rhythm and memorable melody. Ideal for first sertanejo song. View complete chord chart →

2. Coração Está em Pedaços — Leandro & Leonardo (Key: Em)

Chords: Em, C Progression: Em - C - Em - C Romantic ballad with melancholic mood. Em and C are two of the easiest chords. The vocal sits in a comfortable range for most people. View complete chord chart →

Section 2: 3-Chord Songs

With three chords, you can already play half of the classic sertanejo repertoire.

3. Evidências — Chitãozinho & Xororó (Key: G)

Chords: G, C, D Progression: G - C - D - G The most famous sertanejo song of all time. If you learn only one sertanejo song in your life, let it be this one. Every Brazilian knows it by heart. View complete chord chart →

4. Fio de Cabelo — Chitãozinho & Xororó (Key: C)

Chords: C, F, G Progression: C - F - G - C Romantic hit that marked the 80s. Only one challenge: the F barre chord. But you can start with simplified F (just 4 strings) until you gain strength. View complete chord chart →

5. É o Amor — Zezé Di Camargo & Luciano (Key: G)

Chords: G, C, D Progression: G - D - C - G Chorus that sticks in your head and super simple chords. Same progression as "Evidências" but different order — shows how 3 chords yield a lot. View complete chord chart →

6. Coração de Pedra — Leandro & Leonardo (Key: Am)

Chords: Am, C, G Progression: Am - C - G - Am Minor key that creates more introspective mood. Am, C and G are three chords that flow naturally — no difficult jumps between positions. View complete chord chart →

7. Se Eu Não Te Amasse Tanto Assim — Leandro & Leonardo (Key: G)

Chords: G, D, Em Progression: G - D - Em - G Interesting variation that uses Em (minor) instead of C major. Creates different sound while maintaining simplicity. View complete chord chart →

Section 3: 4-Chord Songs (University Sertanejo)

Here come the most recent hits. Four chords is where university sertanejo lives.

8. Fico Assim Sem Você — Adriana Calcanhotto (Key: G)

Chords: G, D, Em, C Progression: G - D - Em - C The most famous pop progression in the world applied to sertanejo. Claysson & Cristian popularized it, but everyone records this song. View complete chord chart →

9. Loka — Simone & Simaria (Key: Em)

Chords: Em, C, G, D Progression: Em - C - G - D Female sertanejo hit with contagious energy. Same progression as previous song, just starting on Em. Modern sound, classic chords. View complete chord chart →

10. Meu Violão e o Nosso Cachorro — Simone & Simaria (Key: C)

Chords: C, Am, F, G Progression: C - Am - F - G Funny title, serious song. F barre chord is the only challenge — but this progression is so common it's worth mastering. View complete chord chart →

11. Largado às Traças — Zé Neto & Cristiano (Key: G)

Chords: G, D, Em, C Progression: G - D - Em - C (infinite loop) Recent hit that uses the most popular progression in world pop. Fun lyrics, simple chords, guaranteed success in guitar circles. View complete chord chart →

12. Amante Não Tem Lar — Marília Mendonça (Key: Am)

Chords: Am, F, C, G Progression: Am - F - C - G Marília Mendonça, the queen of heartbreak music. Minor key that matches the melancholic lyrics. F barre chord is unavoidable here. View complete chord chart →

13. Infiel — Marília Mendonça (Key: Em)

Chords: Em, C, G, D Progression: Em - C - G - D Another heartbreak hit with accessible chords. The strength is in the interpretation, not harmonic complexity. View complete chord chart →

14. Jenifer — Gabriel Diniz (Key: G)

Chords: G, D, Em, C Progression: G - D - Em - C Hit that crossed all of Brazil. Proof you don't need to complicate: four simple chords + lively rhythm + catchy chorus = success. View complete chord chart →

15. Cidade Vizinha — Henrique & Juliano (Key: C)

Chords: C, Am, F, G Progression: C - Am - F - G Most popular sertanejo duo currently. Same progression as several other songs — when you master one, you master them all. View complete chord chart →

Section 4: 5-Chord Songs (For Those Who Already Master the Basics)

One more chord allows richer harmonies without complicating too much.

16. Bebi Liguei — Marília Mendonça (Key: G)

Chords: G, D, Em, C, Am Progression: G - D - Em - C, with Am appearing in transitions Classic heartbreak song that adds Am to create moments of greater emotional tension. Am appears strategically in certain phrases. View complete chord chart →

17. Esqueça-me Se For Capaz — Marília Mendonça (Key: Am)

Chords: Am, F, C, G, Dm Progression: Am - F - C - G, with Dm in bridges Dm adds harmonic color without complicating much. It's an easy chord (just two fingers) and sounds good in minor contexts. View complete chord chart →

18. Sofrendo Feito um Louco — Henrique & Juliano (Key: G)

Chords: G, D, Em, C, B7 Progression: G - D - Em - C, with B7 as dominant of Em B7 is technically a 5-fret chord, but the fingering is simple (2nd, 1st, 2nd fingers). Adds sophistication without technical difficulty. View complete chord chart →

Rhythm Tips by Subgenre

Traditional Sertanejo (80s-90s)

Style: Leandro & Leonardo, Chitãozinho & Xororó Rhythm: Slower, simple downstroke strumming mostly Tip: Focus on lyrics and melody. Guitar is accompaniment, not protagonist

University Sertanejo (2000s)

Style: Jorge & Mateus, Henrique & Juliano Rhythm: More dynamic strumming, use of off-beats Tip: The ↓ - ↓↑ - ↓ - ↓↑ strumming is fundamental. Practice until automatic

Heartbreak Music (2010s-today)

Style: Marília Mendonça, Maiara & Maraisa Rhythm: Varies between ballad (slow) and lively (party) Tip: Adjust strumming intensity to song mood. Slow heartbreak = gentle strumming

The 5 Chords Every Sertanejo Player Needs

If you master these 5 chords, you can play 80% of the sertanejo repertoire:

G (Sol) - The most common key in sertanejo
C (Dó) - Combines with G in any song
D (Ré) - Completes the classic G-C-D triad
Em (Mi menor) - For more emotional moments
Am (Lá menor) - Melancholic key, widely used in heartbreak music

Bonus: F (Fá) - With barre, opens entire repertoire in C

Magic Sertanejo Progressions

These 3 progressions appear in hundreds of songs:

Progression 1: G - D - Em - C

Songs: Fico Assim Sem Você, Largado às Traças, Jenifer, 90% of university hits

Progression 2: C - Am - F - G

Songs: Cidade Vizinha, Meu Violão e o Nosso Cachorro, many hits in C

Progression 3: Am - F - C - G

Songs: Amante Não Tem Lar, Esqueça-me Se For Capaz, all heartbreak music

Master these 3 and you play virtually any sertanejo without looking at chord charts.

How to Sing and Play at the Same Time

Sertanejo is one of the categories where people sing along most. Tips for coordination:

1. Master the rhythm first

Play the chord progression with strumming until automatic. Only then add vocals.

2. Simplify strumming when singing

At first, use only downstrokes on strong beats (1 and 3). Later add off-beats.

3. Choose comfortable key

Use Toca Aquela's transposition to find ideal key for your voice. Sertanejo usually sounds good 1-2 tones below original.

4. Practice by sections

Verse separate, chorus separate. Only then put it all together.

Repertoire by Difficulty

Super Beginner (2-3 chords, slow rhythm):

Beginner (3-4 chords, moderate rhythm):

Intermediate (4-5 chords, varied rhythms):

Next Steps in Sertanejo

After mastering these 18 songs, you'll be ready for:

Advanced Techniques:

Movable barre chords to play in any key
Percussive strumming (string slaps) for more dynamic rhythms
Sertanejo fingerpicking for romantic ballads
Capo to adapt keys to your voice

Specific Styles:

Classic traditional sertanejo (Milionário & José Rico, Liu & Léu)
Romantic sertanejo (Bruno & Marrone, Rick & Renner)
Female sertanejo/heartbreak (Maiara & Maraisa, Simone & Simaria)
Pop sertanejo (Gusttavo Lima, Michel Teló)

Composition:

Create your own versions using the magic progressions
Compose original sertanejos with learned formulas
Adapt songs from other styles to sertanejo

Toca Aquela has Brazil's most complete sertanejo catalog — from classic to university, from heartbreak to arrocha. All with professional chord charts and automatic transposition.

Explore the complete sertanejo repertoire →

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