Plugging in for the first time is a thrill, right up until you wonder what to actually play. The fastest way to stick with it’s a song you already know by heart.
That’s the idea behind this list. We picked 20 songs that run on a simple riff or a few open chords, so a first-week player can get through them.
Easy doesn’t mean pointless, though, because every track still teaches a real skill. The two-note riff in Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” drills timing and string muting while you play.
Newer than that? These beginner songs cover acoustic ground too, but first here are the best songs for beginner electric guitar.
Best Songs for Beginner Electric Guitar
1. Cherub Rock - Smashing Pumpkins
This song by the Smashing Pumpkins is perfect for beginners. The strumming pattern sounds complicated at first, but it’s actually quite simple.
The rhythm starts low and slow, then becomes faster as the song builds. Most beginners can learn the core of it within 15 minutes.
If the guitar ever feels boring or you worry you can’t learn anything new, this is the song to prove yourself wrong. Just follow the simple notes and you’ll be playing Cherub Rock in no time.
2. Creep - Radiohead
This is another beginner song you can learn fairly quickly. The guitar part starts with open chords played along with the beat, and as you move further into the song the chords become more intricate and faster.
The strumming pattern stays consistent and easy to follow. Find the rhythm, lock in with it, and it won’t take long to master.
It’s a fun, easy first song, so give it a shot.
3. Free Fallin’ - Tom Petty
Here’s a nice mellow song to try on electric guitar, or acoustic guitar for that matter. It uses very simple chords and is easy to play.
The chords aren’t too tough, but the rhythm does pick up speed as you play along, so keep your finger placement and timing accurate.
4. Iron Man - Black Sabbath
Now let’s liven things up with some full chords. This is Black Sabbath’s classic Iron Man, and a full-chord version is easy enough to play.
The rhythm is fairly simple, and once you’ve run through it a few times you should be able to play it quickly.
5. Last Nite - The Strokes
This song is from the 2001 album Is This It, and it’s a fun, easy one to learn. The rhythm is quite repetitive, so you should be able to play it with just a little practice.
6. Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Ready for a classic rock staple? This song won a Grammy and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1976.
The rhythm is a bit more complex, so play along with a video to get the hang of it.
7. Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple
Here’s another classic built around a single chord shape. The rhythm is a little more involved, so keep count as you play along with it.
The song is a lot of fun and still easy to learn, which is why it’s one of the most famous beginner riffs of all time.
8. Sunshine of Your Love - Cream
Here’s one from the 60s that you’ll instantly recognize. Cream is an all-time favorite group, and this song epitomizes their sound.
It’s a really easy song to play, and it’s fun to sing along with too.
9. You Really Got Me - The Kinks
Sometimes you just want something fun and familiar. The Kinks were a rock group from the 60s and 70s, and this song is one of their classics.
Learning it’s a great way to start getting comfortable on electric guitar.
10. Come As You Are - Nirvana
Ready for some 90s grunge? This Nirvana song has a simple, repetitive riff that’s very easy to play and even easier to memorize.
It’s a great early win for building confidence.
11. Enter Sandman - Metallica
This song has many parts that are simple to learn, along with a few sections that call for more advanced rhythm skills. The opening riff is a blast to play, and the solo is absolutely incredible.
From its eerie, drooping tones to its low keys and partial skips, the solo takes this song to the next level when you’re ready for it.
12. Otherside - Red Hot Chili Peppers
The solo in this song is challenging because of the dynamic shifts between the harder and easier parts of the lick. Working through it teaches you how to control your picking hand so each note sounds clear and distinct, even when you change intensity.
13. Zombie - The Cranberries
This song has a lot of cool rhythmic mechanics. It starts with chords, then shifts into a more rocking section, with a memorable lick in the middle.
The technique you pick up here will be very useful in plenty of other songs.
14. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
Who doesn’t know this song? It’s a classic you shouldn’t overlook.
It has a fun solo and teaches you a lot about right-hand technique and muting strings, both of which carry over to almost everything else you play.
15. Wild Thing - The Troggs
You’ve probably heard this riff many times. Although it sounds simple, the timing takes a little care to nail.
The good news is that once you’ve mastered it, you can apply the same feel to many other songs.
16. Ace of Spades - Motorhead
This is another classic hard rock riff. You may not play it perfectly right away, but keep practicing and the speed will start to come naturally.
It’s a great song for building right-hand stamina.
17. Blitzkrieg Bop - The Ramones
Ready for a bit of punk? The Ramones were known for fast-paced rock that landed them in countless music videos.
This is a great song to start with because once you learn it, the technique transfers easily to other punk and rock tunes.
18. You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ - Judas Priest
The riff is repetitive and fairly simple, but the effect is dramatic. It makes a great first impression on an audience, since many people will recognize it even without the lyrics.
19. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door - Guns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses is known for varied riffs, and this tune is a good example. It has a catchy part that quickly becomes an earworm, and it works just as well on electric or acoustic guitar.
20. Reptilia - The Strokes
This fun song will get an audience moving. It focuses on a motif that’s easy to reproduce yourself, which makes it a great warmup before you tackle bigger, more demanding songs.
How to Practice These Songs
The fastest way to make progress is to start slow and focus on accuracy before speed. Loop the riff or chord change at a tempo where you can play it cleanly, then gradually speed up only once it feels comfortable.
A metronome or a play-along video keeps your timing honest, which matters more than raw speed when you’re starting out.
Pick two or three songs from the list rather than trying to learn all 20 at once. Aim for a healthy mix of skills: a single-note riff like Smoke on the Water, a strumming-based song like Creep, and something with muting like Smells Like Teen Spirit.
Spending even ten focused minutes a day on each will build muscle memory faster than one long, unfocused session per week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the easiest electric guitar song for a complete beginner?
Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple and Iron Man by Black Sabbath are among the easiest because both are built around a single, repeating riff or chord shape. You only need to learn a few notes to play something instantly recognizable.
Come As You’re by Nirvana is another great first song, since its main riff is slow, repetitive, and easy to memorize.
Do I need to read music to learn these songs?
No. Most beginners learn electric guitar from tabs, chord charts, or play-along videos rather than standard notation.
Tabs show you exactly which fret and string to play, which is all you need for the riffs and chords in this list.
Reading music is a useful skill to develop later, but it isn’t required to start playing the songs here.
How long does it take to learn a beginner electric guitar song?
Many of the songs on this list can be learned in 15 to 30 minutes, at least well enough to play along. Getting a song up to full speed and feeling smooth usually takes a few practice sessions spread over a week or two.
Progress depends on how often you practice and whether you focus on accuracy before speed. Short, daily practice beats occasional long sessions.
Should I learn riffs or chords first?
Both are worth learning early, but single-note riffs like Iron Man or Smoke on the Water are often the most satisfying starting point because they sound great with minimal finger coordination. Chord-based songs like Free Fallin’ or Sunshine of Your Love help build the strumming and finger-placement skills you’ll rely on long term.
A good approach is to alternate between the two so you develop both your picking hand and your fretting hand at the same time.
Final Thoughts
This list of beginner electric guitar songs is an excellent starting point for learning on electric guitar. The riffs and chords are easy to pick up, and with steady practice you’ll be playing recognizable songs sooner than you might expect.
Just as importantly, each one quietly improves your strumming, rhythm, and picking technique while you’ve fun.
The key is consistency. Choose a few songs that excite you, practice them a little every day, and focus on playing cleanly before you chase speed.
Do that, and these simple songs will become the foundation for everything more advanced you tackle next.
