5 Easy Classic Rock Songs for Acoustic Guitar

Acoustic guitar lessons for beginners can oftentimes have slim pickings when it comes to their song selection. When all of your options are nursery rhymes and children’s songs, it can feel like you’re light years away from learning the music that you really resonate with.

You’re going to be spending a lot of time learning essential techniques as a beginner, so why not base those lessons around your favorite tunes? With that in mind, here are five easy classic rock songs that can be used to teach the basics of acoustic guitar. Check out these songs and more in our upcoming Beginner’s Guide to Acoustic Guitar course.

The Troggs — “Wild Thing”

“Wild Thing” is proof that you don’t need flashy playing to write a solid, driving rock song. With a simple strumming pattern and minimal chords, this song is perfect for budding players to learn. And since it’s an early song in the course, you’ll be rocking out to it in no time!

Everly Brothers — “All I Have to do is Dream”

An imperative step in learning acoustic guitar is finding out how to play using a capo. Luckily, the Everly Brothers classic “All I Have to do is Dream” is the perfect soundtrack for your discovery process. You’ll transform into a capo master after learning this tune.

Neil Young — “Sugar Mountain”

Hammer-ons can add a special type of flair to any song, especially when you’re playing an acoustic guitar. Neil Young’s “Sugar Mountain” is chock full of this embellishment, making it an ideal pick for beginners to learn. You’ll quickly find that hammer-ons not only sound great, but are fun to play too!

Elvis Presley — “That’s Alright (Mama)”

As a musician, sometimes you want to step out of the spotlight and provide the musical backbone for someone else to riff on. That’s why it’s important to learn some rhythm guitar techniques, which are exactly what you’ll receive with David’s lesson on “That’s Alright (Mama).” Plus, who doesn’t want to know how to play something by the King of Rock ’n’ Roll?

The Beach Boys — “Surfer Girl”

If you’re learning how to play acoustic guitar, you’re eventually going to have to eventually tackle barre chords. Why not have some fun while doing it? Picture yourself along the sandy shores of California on a warm summer afternoon while learning this technique, and let David be your guide through this lesson on a Beach Boys staple.