10 Easy Fingerstyle Songs for New Guitarists

Fingerstyle guitar is one of the most rewarding techniques you can learn. Unlike strumming with a pick, fingerstyle allows you to play bass, harmony, and melody at the same time. With just your thumb and a couple of fingers, your guitar suddenly transforms into a mini orchestra.

If you’ve just picked up the guitar and are looking for approachable ways to get started, this guide will walk you through 10 Easy Fingerstyle Songs for New Guitarists. These pieces are simple enough for beginners but rich enough to make you sound impressive right away.

By the end, you’ll not only have 10 go-to fingerstyle songs in your repertoire but also a deeper understanding of the fingerstyle guitar technique itself.

Why Learn Fingerstyle Early On?

A lot of guitarists start with strumming because it feels easier. But diving into fingerstyle earlier has huge benefits:

1. Coordination & Dexterity – You train your thumb to act independently, handling bass notes while your fingers tackle melodies.

2. Full Sound – Even when playing alone, fingerstyle makes your guitar sound rich and layered.

3. Versatility – Once you master the basics, you can adapt fingerstyle to folk, pop, blues, rock, and even classical.

4. Creativity Boost – Fingerpicking opens doors to songwriting, as you can easily combine rhythm and melody.

5. Good Foundation for Advanced Styles – If you ever want to play classical, flamenco, or percussive fingerstyle, starting simple now pays off later.

The 10 Easy Fingerstyle Songs for New Guitarists

Here’s our curated list of fingerstyle-friendly songs. Each has been chosen because it teaches a core skill without overwhelming you.

1. “Blackbird” – The Beatles

• Why it’s great: One of the most iconic fingerstyle tunes of all time. It sounds complicated but is built on simple two-note shapes that move up and down the fretboard.

• Technique focus: Thumb alternates between bass strings while index and middle fingers pluck higher strings.

• Learning value: Builds independence between thumb and fingers, introduces alternating bass.

• Fun fact: Paul McCartney wrote it as a message of hope during the U.S. civil rights movement.

Guitar Tabs: Blackbird Guitar Tabs

Tip for beginners: Start by learning the first few measures. Once the picking pattern feels natural, the rest of the song follows the same flow.

2. “Dust in the Wind” – Kansas

• Why it’s great: The entire song is based on one simple Travis picking pattern. If you can master this, you unlock dozens of other folk songs.

• Technique focus: Travis picking (thumb alternates between two bass notes, while index and middle play higher strings).

• Learning value: Builds muscle memory for the most common fingerpicking style.

• Fun fact: Guitarist Kerry Livgren originally wrote it as a practice exercise before turning it into a hit song.

Guitar tabs: Dust in the Wind tabs

Tip for beginners: Practice the picking pattern on open strings before adding chords.

3. “Hallelujah” – Leonard Cohen (Jeff Buckley Version)

• Why it’s great: Slow, emotional, and chord-based. Perfect for beginners who want to sound polished quickly.

• Technique focus: Thumb plucks bass note while fingers arpeggiate chord tones.

• Learning value: Teaches arpeggio picking and emotional dynamics.

• Fun fact: This song has been covered over 300 times in various styles—fingerstyle is one of the most moving.

Guitar tabs: Hallelujah by jeff buckley tabs

Tip for beginners: Focus on even timing. Play softer during verses and louder during the chorus for dramatic effect.

4. “Landslide” – Fleetwood Mac

• Why it’s great: Stevie Nicks’ ballad is one of the most common beginner fingerstyle songs because of its steady, flowing rhythm.

• Technique focus: Travis picking pattern with alternating bass.

• Learning value: Great for timing and building steady rhythm with your thumb.

• Fun fact: Written in Aspen, Colorado, while Stevie Nicks reflected on life and career changes.

Guitar tabs: Landslide tabs

Tip for beginners: Isolate the thumb first. Once the bass feels automatic, add the fingers.

5. “House of the Rising Sun” – The Animals

• Why it’s great: A classic folk tune often used in guitar classes because of its repetitive arpeggio.

• Technique focus: Arpeggio picking (playing each note of the chord separately).

• Learning value: Helps beginners focus on chord changes while fingerpicking.

• Fun fact: This traditional folk song dates back to the 19th century, long before The Animals made it famous.

Guitar tabs: House of the rising sun tabs

Tip for beginners: Use a slow tempo and let each note ring clearly before moving on.

6. “Fast Car” – Tracy Chapman

• Why it’s great: The song uses a repetitive fingerpicking pattern that carries the entire track. It’s simple but emotionally powerful.

• Technique focus: Repeating bass + treble note pattern.

• Learning value: Teaches how repetition and simplicity can create atmosphere.

• Fun fact: The song became an anthem of storytelling and won a Grammy nomination in 1989.

Guitar tabs: Fast car tabs

Tip for beginners: Keep your right hand relaxed. Tension makes the rhythm uneven.

7. “Tears in Heaven” – Eric Clapton

• Why it’s great: A heartfelt ballad with one of the most beautiful fingerpicking melodies in popular music.

• Technique focus: Melody on higher strings with bass support from the thumb.

• Learning value: Builds confidence in mixing melody and harmony.

• Fun fact: Clapton wrote this after the tragic loss of his son, making it one of his most personal songs.

Guitar tabs- Tears in heaven tabs

Tip for beginners: Don’t rush. The beauty of this song lies in its slow, clear phrasing.

8. “Nothing Else Matters” – Metallica

• Why it’s great: A rock ballad that begins with a simple fingerpicking riff, showing that fingerstyle works outside folk and acoustic.

• Technique focus: Arpeggiated open string pattern.

• Learning value: Builds confidence in transitioning from fingerpicking to strumming.

• Fun fact: James Hetfield originally wrote this riff for himself, never intending it to be released.

Guitar tabs: Nothing else matters tabs

Tip for beginners: Play the intro slowly and cleanly. Accuracy is more important than speed.

9. “Shape of My Heart” – Sting

• Why it’s great: Hauntingly beautiful with a distinctive chord progression that makes it instantly recognizable.

• Technique focus: Alternates bass with chord plucking.

• Learning value: Teaches timing and finger independence.

• Fun fact: Co-written with guitarist Dominic Miller, the song is admired by guitarists for its intricate fingerpicking.

Guitar tabs: Shape of my hear tabs

Tip for beginners: Focus on tone and timing rather than trying to play fast.

10. “Scarborough Fair” – Simon & Garfunkel

• Why it’s great: A traditional English ballad with a smooth, flowing fingerpicking style.

• Technique focus: Alternating bass and melody notes.

• Learning value: Introduces playing simple melodies alongside chords.

• Fun fact: The melody dates back to the 16th century, making it one of the oldest songs still widely played today.

Guitar tabs: Scarborough Fair

Tip for beginners: Try incorporating your ring finger to build a balanced right-hand technique.

How to Approach Learning Fingerstyle

Learning these 10 Easy Fingerstyle Songs for New Guitarists isn’t about memorizing tabs—it’s about training your hands to work together. Here’s how to make the process smoother:

1. Understand Right-Hand Roles

   • Thumb → Bass strings (E, A, D)

   • Index → G string

   • Middle → B string

   • Ring → High E string

2. Start with Simple Patterns
   Example: Thumb–Index–Middle–Ring–Middle–Index. Practice it on open chords.

3. Break Songs Into Sections
   Don’t try to learn the whole piece at once. Master one phrase at a time.

4. Practice Slowly with a Metronome
   Speed will come naturally once accuracy is there.

5. Play Daily (Even 10 Minutes Helps)
   Consistency builds muscle memory faster than marathon sessions.

Extra Fingerstyle Tips

• Anchor Lightly (Optional): Some players rest their pinky on the guitar top for stability. Try it and see what feels comfortable.

• Use Dynamics: Play some notes louder, some softer, for expression.

• Experiment with Nails vs. Fingertips: Both are valid. Nails give a crisp sound, fingertips give warmth.

• Relax Your Hand: Tension creates mistakes.

• Listen More Than You Play: The magic of fingerstyle is in the dynamics, not just the notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Do I need long nails to play fingerstyle?
Not required. Fingertips work perfectly fine. Nails just change the tone.

Q2: Can I play fingerstyle on electric guitar?
Yes! Players like Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) built careers on electric fingerstyle.

Q3: Which song should I start with?
“Dust in the Wind” is ideal since it’s built on a simple, repetitive pattern.

Q4: How long until I can play these 10 songs?
With daily 15–20 minutes of practice, most beginners can play simple versions of several songs within a month.

Q5: Is Travis picking really that important?
Yes. It’s the foundation for countless fingerstyle songs. Once you learn it, you’ll recognize it everywhere.

Q6: Should I use tablature or sheet music?
Tabs are easier for beginners. As you progress, sheet music helps with rhythm and timing.

Q7: Is fingerstyle harder than strumming?
It’s different, not harder. Strumming emphasizes rhythm; fingerstyle emphasizes clarity and independence.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever wanted your guitar to sound like more than just chords and strums, fingerstyle is the key. Starting with these 10 Easy Fingerstyle Songs for New Guitarists gives you the perfect blend of simplicity and depth.

Each song introduces you to a new concept—alternating bass, arpeggios, Travis picking, or melody integration. By learning them, you’ll not only sound great but also build a strong foundation for advanced fingerstyle playing.

So grab your guitar, pick a song from the list, and start slow. Within a few weeks, you’ll be amazed at how professional you sound—and you’ll have 10 beautiful songs to show for it.

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