- Derek Williams
12 Easy Guitar Songs You Can Play with Just 4 Chords
Updated: Feb 26
Learning to play guitar is exciting and easy. I believe that guitar is one of the easiest instruments to learn to play because most songs that we love and listen to only use a small handful of chords that are easy to play on guitar. I've compiled a list of 12 songs that all use the exact same guitar chords and in the exact same order! If you're seeking to learn songs for beginners on guitar, you've just hit the jackpot. With just 4 chords, and the help of a capo, you can play all of the songs in this list.
I personally refer to this as the "Don't Stop Believing" chord progression. It's used in thousands of popular songs. The chord progression is:
G major – D major – e minor – C major
I've included a link to the chord charts you can use for learning these songs. I've also included instructions on where to place your capo, because not all of these songs are in the same key. Place the capo where I indicate, and simply play the chord progression above, and you'll be on your way to impressing your friends!
Flip through this slideshow to see what the chords look like:
1) "Don’t Stop Believin" - Journey
Capo 9th fret (E Major)
Chord chart, here.
2) "With or Without You" - U2
Capo 7th fret (D Major)
Chord chart, here.
3) "Soul Sister" - Train
Capo 9th fret (E Major)
Chord Chart, here.
Notes: The verse is the same chord progression, but the chorus is slightly different.
The chorus chords are: C D G G....C D G G
4) "Let it Be" - The Beatles
Capo 5th fret (C Major)
Chord Chart, here.
Notes: The verse is the same chord progression, but the chorus is slightly different.
The chorus chords are: e- D C G....G D C G
5) "Already Gone" - Kelly Clarkson
Capo 2nd fret (A Major)
Chord Chart, here.
6) "I’m Yours" - Jason Mraz
Capo 4th fret (B Major)
Chord Chart, here.
Notes: Every now and then, Jason throws in an A major chord.
7) "Take Me Home Country Roads" - John Denver
Capo 2nd fret (A Major)
Chord Chart, here.
Notes: Every now and then, John throws in a D7 chord instead of D major.
8) "Cruise" - Florida Georgia Line
Capo 3rd fret (Bb Major)
Chord Chart, here.
9) "Save Tonight" Eagle Eye Cherry
Capo 5th fret (C Major)
Chord Chart, here.
Notes: Same exact progression, it just starts in a different place in the progression.
The progression is: e- C G D
10) "Hey Oh (Snow)" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Capo 4th fret (B Major)
Chord Chart, here.
Notes: Same exact progression, it just starts in a different place in the progression.
The progression is: e- C G D
11) "Apologize" - OneRepublic Ft. Timbaland
Capo 8th fret (Eb Major)
Chord Chart, here.
Notes: Same exact progression, it just starts in a different place in the progression.
The progression is: e- C G D
12) "Love the Way You Lie" - Eminem ft. Rihanna
Capo 3rd fret (Bb major)
Chord Chart, here.
Notes: Same exact progression, it just starts in a different place in the progression.
The progression is: e- C G D
If you'd like to learn about taking online or in-studio guitar lessons in Bend, Oregon, learn more here.
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