Best Acoustic Guitar Songs

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I just finished watching a video entitled Top 15 Acoustic Guitar Players. There were 4 names I recognised, three of which I have heard play before I watched the video (Tony Emmanuel, Chet Atkins, and Andy McKee) the fourth was Justin King who blew me away. These guys were simply breath-taking and inspiring to listen to. 

I thought to myself: "Ok these guys are at the top of the game in the acoustic guitar world; great to listen to and aspire to become, but a little bit difficult to emulate at the beginners and intermediate stage of playing guitar." So, now I am on the hunt for the best acoustic guitar songs for beginner’s level upwards. Songs that will be relatively easy to play, that are well-known, and will attract attention at a party.

I like a good party like the next person, especially a party when large groups of people gather and sing accompanied by an acoustic guitar. So, here’s the scenario: you get invited to a party and asked to bring your acoustic guitar to help carry the night because word’s out that you have been learning to play guitar. What do you do? What songs to you practice (or learn and then practice)? What we need are some easy guitar songs to learn or practice then showoff!


The old favourites go down well: Come Together, Let it be, and Hey Jude by the Beatles; Creedence songs: Born on the Bayou, Have you ever seen the rain and Bad Moon Rising. What about Listen to the Music and Long Train Running by the Doobie Brothers and Brown Sugar, Honky Tonk Women, Satisfaction and Jumping Jack Flash by the Stones. There are twelve of the Best Acoustic Guitar songs already that are relatively easy to play, known widely and more importantly great to play at parties.

What about some Bob Marley No Woman No Cry and Redemption Song or Bob Dylan’s All along the watch tower, Knocking on heaven’s door and Blowin in the Wind; then we have Wild Thing, the Troggs, Wish you were Here by Pink Floyd, Hotel California The Eagles, Drive by Incubus, and I’m Yours by Jason Mraz. Wrap this list up with Californication by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Wonderwall by Oasis and that’s another dozen songs to add to your growing list of best acoustic guitar songs. That’s a total of 24 songs you can add to your impressive repertoire of easy acoustic guitar songs that you can learn by yourself without lessons. But you do need some tips to help ease the journey.

Tip One: Learn some basic major and minor chords and learn then well enough to play in various positions and so that they sound crystal clear and crisp.

Tip Two: Practice changing from one chord to another until it becomes smooth and effortless.

Tip Three: Learn to strum with and without a pick and in time (a metronome or an app for a smart phone/iphone can help you here)

Tip Four: Practice with the song you are learning to get a feel for changing chords, strumming and singing along.

Practice will develop the strength in the hands and fingers and memory in those same muscles. Daily practice will help you to quickly master the best acoustic guitar songs made by some very good musicians; you will not regret learning how to play for yourself and for others. Enjoy!

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