Maybe you just picked up an acoustic and you’re wondering what kinds of music it’s actually built for. The honest answer is more than most people guess.
The body and strings shape everything. A warm, woody tone leans toward some styles and stretches to fit others you’d never expect.
This article walks through nine styles, from country and blues to fingerstyle and even rock. For each one, you’ll get a quick sense of what defines it and where a new player can jump in.
Some of these you’ll know in two notes. Let’s start with the first.
9 Acoustic Guitar Music Genres
1. Country Music
One of the more popular genres and styles of best acoustic guitar music is country music. Originating in the early 1900s, country music has gone through several makeovers and remains one of the most popular genres for guitarists.
The acoustic guitar sound in country has evolved over the years, and some people call it “twang.” Although the style of the music has changed, country is still a great choice for acoustic players.
Check out these best acoustic guitar for country music options.
2. Acoustic Blues
Blues is another genre of acoustic guitar music that you’ll likely enjoy. Blues is one of the most popular forms of original songwriting in history and has influenced rock, pop rock, rockabilly, psychobilly, country, and many more types of music.
Although blues is predominantly played on electric guitar, there are still great guitarists who perform the genre on an acoustic. If you like playing acoustic guitar and want to add something different to your repertoire, blues is a rewarding place to start.
Take a look at these best acoustic guitar for blues choices.
3. Folk Music
Folk music is written in a style that people can easily understand and relate to. Many of the guitar songs you hear on the radio today trace their roots back to folk.
You can play acoustic blues and country, but you might also want to add some folk to your repertoire. Folk guitar is a good choice if you aren’t quite sure which genre of acoustic guitar music you want to focus on, because the chord shapes and progressions tend to be approachable for beginners.
4. Fingerstyle
Fingerstyle is an acoustic guitar technique that can be described as a blend of guitar playing and piano. When you play fingerstyle, the guitar acts a bit like a piano, and you use your fingers to pluck the strings instead of a pick.
Although there are many different types of fingerstyle, its origins generally come from classical and folk music. If you like to pluck the strings and use your fingers, fingerstyle acoustic guitar could be a great place to start.
Here are some best acoustic guitar for fingerstyle recommendations.
5. Ragtime and Bluegrass
If you like a mix of old and new, traditional and modern, then ragtime and bluegrass might be for you. Ragtime originated in the United States in the late 1800s, while bluegrass came out of Kentucky in the early 1900s.
Both of these genres combine aspects of blues, country, jazz, and swing riffs. They remain popular today, and all types of guitarists can perform them.
If you already enjoy country music, blending it with bluegrass can be a natural next step.
6. Worship Music
If you’re looking for acoustic guitar music to play at church, worship music is worth a look. This type of music is written specifically for a worship setting.
Worship music can be described simply as worship songs or hymns. When you’re starting out, it helps to learn how to play hymns alongside other styles that fit into the broader category of Christian worship, since many of them rely on simple, repeating chord progressions.
7. Jazz
Jazz is another genre worth adding to your acoustic repertoire. Jazz has been around since the early 1900s and is still popular today.
If you like swing, ragtime, or blues, you’ll probably enjoy jazz on acoustic guitar too. Take some time to learn a few jazz standards and add them to your list, especially if you’re leaning toward fingerstyle playing.
8. Rock Music
You might be wondering how rock and acoustic guitar can go together, but the connection runs deep. One of the very first forms of rock music was actually played on acoustic guitar.
Rock is made up of rockabilly, punk, metal, and many more sub-styles, and most of it leans on the electric guitar for its signature sound. Even so, if you like rock and don’t want to buy an electric, you can still add an acoustic rock song or two to your repertoire.
9. R&B
R&B is another type of music you can adapt for acoustic guitar. This style came about around the 1960s and still has a wide audience today.
R&B is mainly played on electric guitar, but you can learn plenty of the songs on an acoustic if you enjoy the genre or simply want to add something unique to your repertoire.
How to Pick a Genre to Start With
You don’t need to master every style on this list. The fastest way to make progress is to pick one genre you actually enjoy listening to and learn a few songs in it.
If you’re brand new, folk and country are forgiving entry points because they rely on common open chords and steady strumming patterns. If you’re drawn to detailed, melodic playing, fingerstyle is a deeper but very satisfying path.
Once you’re comfortable in one style, the skills carry over and the others become much easier to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the easiest acoustic guitar genre for beginners?
Folk and country are usually the easiest genres for beginners. Both lean heavily on common open chords and straightforward strumming patterns, so you can play recognizable songs fairly quickly.
Worship music is another beginner-friendly option, since many hymns and worship songs repeat a small set of chords throughout the song.
Can you play any genre on an acoustic guitar?
Yes, you can play essentially any genre on an acoustic guitar, even styles like rock and R&B that are normally associated with electric instruments. The tone will be different, but the chords, melodies, and song structures still translate.
Some genres simply suit the acoustic better than others. Country, folk, fingerstyle, and bluegrass feel right at home, while rock and metal often lose some of their edge without an electric guitar and amplification.
Do different genres need different acoustic guitars?
Not strictly, but certain guitars do favor certain styles. A good all-around acoustic will handle most genres fine while you’re learning, which is why a versatile best acoustic guitar is a smart first purchase.
As you specialize, you may find guitars tailored to a style helpful, such as a guitar suited to country music or one optimized for fingerstyle playing.
Should I learn fingerstyle or strumming first?
Most players are better off learning basic strumming and open chords first. Strumming builds your timing, chord changes, and rhythm, which form the foundation for everything else.
Once those basics feel comfortable, fingerstyle becomes much easier to pick up because you already know the chord shapes. You can then focus on plucking individual strings cleanly instead of juggling new chords and a new technique at the same time.
Final Thoughts
There are many different types of acoustic guitar music, and some of the techniques may look intimidating at first. With practice, though, you can work up to the more complex pieces and gradually expand your acoustic guitar repertoire.
If you want to get started, the best move is to pick up an acoustic guitar and learn a few simple songs in a genre you love. Start small, stay consistent, and you may well find yourself playing acoustic guitar for years to come.
