So you’ve got a 12 string in your hands and you’re itching to play something real. The doubled strings can look like twice the work, but they don’t have to be.
Here’s the upside. A 12 string fills out the room on its own, so even basic chords sound big.
Strum the verse to “Free Fallin’” and you’ll sound fuller than the same chords on a regular six string. We picked 10 songs that play to that strength, with shapes any beginner can manage.
Want even simpler? These easy 2 chord guitar songs for beginners are a fine warm-up, but first let’s get into the 12 string songs.
12 String Guitar Songs for Beginners
1. Wanted Dead or Alive - Bon Jovi
We all remember hearing this one on the radio and wanting to learn more about the guitar. The song was originally released in 1984 by Bon Jovi for their album Slippery When Wet.
The 12 string adds a perfect punch to this powerful ballad, giving it a bit more life. It was one of the first songs I learned to play and is still one of my favorites today.
2. Hotel California - The Eagles
This one is older, but the 12 string adds a great layer to the hauntingly beautiful tune. The doubled strings produce a shimmering sound that works well for ballads, and Hotel California is an excellent example of that.
The song uses a simple chord progression, and with its haunting melody it’s easy to get lost while learning it. It has a unique style and is a great song to teach yourself on the 12 string.
3. Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
The 12 string guitar can add great texture to songs, and Wish You Were Here’s a perfect example. The beginning of the song is relatively simple, but it builds into a beautiful, layered piece of music by the end.
The tempo is comfortable and the opening is easy to learn. As it goes on, it gets more intricate and requires a more developed sense of rhythm.
4. The Boxer - Simon & Garfunkel
The Boxer is a great song to learn on the 12 string. It has a nice rhythm, is easy enough for almost anyone to pick up, and has great lyrics that everyone can enjoy.
Simon and Garfunkel’s voices blend well, and the bright guitar sound makes the song fun to play. It’s simple yet beautiful, making it an excellent choice for the 12 string.
5. Free Fallin’ - Tom Petty
Tom Petty released many songs with 12 string accompaniment, and Free Fallin’ is one of them. Although it’s a slower song, it’s still a great one to learn on a 12 string.
The chords are simple and the melody is easy to follow, which makes it an excellent choice for beginners. Free Fallin’ teaches you to play the chords and melody while using the 12 string to add harmonies.
6. A Hard Day’s Night - The Beatles
The Beatles are known for simple, fun songs, and A Hard Day’s Night is one of the more straightforward tracks in their catalog. That doesn’t mean it isn’t worth learning.
A Hard Day’s Night is easy to pick up and works beautifully on a 12 string. It teaches you melody, rhythm, and chords all at once, and the 12 string is the perfect instrument for that famous opening chord.
7. More Than a Feeling - Boston
This popular song by the band Boston can be played on a 12 string guitar. Boston’s music was revolutionary, and this track exemplifies their style.
It’s relatively easy to learn with the help of online tutorials and introduces basic chords and rhythm. The guitar tone is original, yet the catchy melody feels instantly familiar.
8. Give a Little Bit - Supertramp
This Supertramp song is a straightforward one to play on a 12 string. It teaches you the chords, melody, and strumming patterns, and your 12 string will bring a new dimension to its already unique sound.
It’s easy to learn, although it may take a little time to get used to the chord changes. Once you do, you’ll have the song mastered.
9. Over the Hills and Far Away - Led Zeppelin
The intro to this song is played on guitar and sounds magical. Each note rings out with a focused, heavy tone, and the guitar blends perfectly with the drums to create a truly fantastic track.
The notes are easy to learn and the chords are easy to play. The picking pattern can be picked up through online tutorials and books, and 12 string players will have a lot of fun with it.
10. Turn! Turn! Turn! - The Byrds
This song was originally played on a six string, but beginners can easily adapt it for their 12 string guitar. The picking pattern is relatively easy, though some of the chords are tricky when both hands are working the fretboard.
Learning this song will help you develop solid guitar skills, and its fast pace will put you in the mood to dance.
Tips for Playing a 12 String as a Beginner
A 12 string has six pairs (or courses) of strings, with the lower four pairs tuned an octave apart and the top two pairs tuned in unison. You still play the same open chords you already know, so your chord shapes don’t change.
What changes is the feel: the neck is wider and there’s more string tension, so your fingers have to press a little harder.
Start with songs built around open chords like G, C, D, and Em, and keep your strumming relaxed. Because the doubled strings already create a lush, chorus-like tone, you don’t need fancy technique to sound good.
If your fingertips get sore quickly, that’s normal at first, and short, frequent practice sessions will build calluses faster than one long marathon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 12 string guitar harder to play than a 6 string?
A 12 string is a bit more demanding because of the wider neck and higher string tension, which means you’ve to press harder to fret cleanly. The chord shapes themselves are identical to a six string, so the difficulty is physical rather than theoretical.
Most players find that after a few weeks their hands adapt and the extra effort becomes second nature. Choosing songs with simple open chords, like the ones on this list, makes the transition much easier.
Can a complete beginner start on a 12 string guitar?
Yes, a complete beginner can start on a 12 string, though many players find it easier to learn the basics on a six string first. The fundamentals, including chord shapes, strumming, and finger placement, carry over directly between the two.
If a 12 string is the guitar you’ve and the one you’re excited to play, there’s no reason to wait. Just expect your fingers to work a little harder at the start.
Do 12 string guitars use the same chords as a 6 string?
They use the exact same chords and the same fingerings. You fret each pair of strings as if it were a single string, so a G chord on a 12 string uses the identical shape you’d use on a six string.
The result simply sounds fuller because each note is doubled, with the lower strings ringing an octave apart. This is what gives the 12 string its signature shimmering, jangly tone.
Why do my fingers hurt more on a 12 string?
A 12 string has roughly twice the number of strings and noticeably more overall tension, so it takes more finger pressure to push the strings down to the fret. That extra pressure is what makes your fingertips sore, especially before you’ve built calluses.
Keep practice sessions short and frequent in the beginning, and consider lighter-gauge strings if the soreness is severe. Within a few weeks your fingertips toughen up and the discomfort fades.
Final Thoughts
These songs can be challenging at first, but they’re a lot of fun to play. With consistent practice, you’ll master the chords and strumming patterns in no time, and learning real songs is one of the best ways to develop your talent.
Don’t give up if a song doesn’t click right away. Every experienced musician started exactly where you’re now.
The beauty of the 12 string is that it rewards you with a big, lush sound even when your playing is simple, which keeps practice motivating. Pick one song from this list, learn it all the way through, and the rest will come faster than you expect.
Once you learn these, take a look at these single string guitar songs for beginners too.
