Guitar starter songs

Knockin' on Heaven's Door:  Not a new song, but any song that will introduce your daughter to Dylan is a plus.

You've touched on one area that I think would really put Chordie into a different realm. If you Google guitar chords there are about a bazillion sites that all offer chords, but as a newbie, I find that I have to plug through tens of thousands of songs to find easy to play beginner songs. I wish a site like this categorized songs based upon the chords.

Another words, there would be many folders (or the option to sort based upon the chords) In my mind, there would be a folder that was titled 2-Chords, another that was 3-Chords, another that was 4-Chords etc.

The user would click on "2-Chords", and there would be songs such as Doug Sahm's Medicino (Em and A if memory serves me correctly).

If the user clicked on the three chords, they would find songs like Doug Sahm's version (I believe Wilco authored) - Give back the Key's to my Heart (A D E)

If the user clicked on 4-Chords there would be songs listed like John Anderson's Seminole Wind (Em G D A) or the Trogg's Wild Thing (A D E G)

We all know there are three or more versions of every song out there. For those, they could be listed within the different folders if they include additional chords.

On another note, (excuse the pun) I've been playing for about 12 months now, and have pretty well learned how to play D/G/E/Em/C/A/Am/Bm. For the life of me, I cannot play an F. but I am determined to keep trying now matter how much my wife cries!

Hello,

I may have some suggestions, but I wasn't quite sure of what you meant by "modern". Also, is there any music that your daughter likes at the moment? I am working on a 2-3-4 chord songbook, but there are not many choices yet. <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_rolleyes.gif" border=0 alt="Rolling Eyes">

>>>>>>>>>txsteve,

That is a really good idea!

goyag300

You guys are great.

A few comments.

By "modern" I mean what some of us might call the cheesey pop stuff that is around for young teens now, like Blount, Busted, Girls Aloud etc. A lot of the girl plus guitar stuff around at the moment seems quite complicated. (And I'm just wondering if my parents thought the great songs of the '70's were cheesey too.)

I suppose I'm trying to avoid repeating the same problem I experienced with the old guitar tutor books that included songs like Tom Dooley, Banks of the Ohio and Red River that I being brought up on the Beatles and Stones had never heard before

I'm going to have to check out some of the songs you mention - John Prine for instance who I have missed along the way from Ji.

I love House of the rising sun, but I don't want my 10 year old sining it!

Thanks too for the 2-3-4 Songbook - a great idea.

Does anyone else have problems with the google adds extending over the Forum Reply box when you are typing?

I started with some basic 12 bar blues which gave me a good feel for the guitar when I was younger. Its simple to start with and easy to learn chord changes. I then progressed onto songs like green onions, just the basic 12 bar, then adding in riffs to build it up a bit. Good way to learn your way around the strings with a few simple riffs.

Early Beatles songs are pretty easy and everyone knows them so you don't have to try and pick up the tune. I think Bob Dylan has already been mentioned but again most are pretty simple to learn.

A song that I do that is kinda modern is "hotel yorba" by the white stripes, G C D all the way thru, very catchy tune, easy lyrics. I am sure she could pick this one up if she likes it enough.

also another easy one but it has Am F G C for most of it and very repetitive is " otherside" by red hot chili peppers, it does go into Em and C.

Hmmm, although I am not too sure of the chords but that ronan keeton ( or however you spell his name) he has a few very easy songs.

and one more from the top of my head the thrills song " dont look back into the sun"  G D Em D C all the way thru.

hope this helps ye

Ken

Hi there,

I find songs such as 'silent night' 'the grant old duke of york' and 'mr taombourine man' are great songs to start with, as they consist of no more than three chords. if you would like the song chords and lyrics, i would be happy to send them to you. just send me a message, or e-mail <a href="mailto:blindacre&#64;hotmail.com" target="_blank">blindacre&#64;hotmail.com</a>

hope this helps

Hi there

Just add my 4pennyworth

As a starter you could consider investing in a capo? ..makes a lot of songs easy to play using basic chord shapes .. from what i can see you can just about play all james blunt songs with one .. so it might be a nice start <a href="mailto:..&#64;High" target="_blank">..&#64;High</a>@ is straightforward enough i think .. anyway best of british and dont give up ..

My Bonnie

Away In a Manger

You Are My Sunshine

Jingle Bells

Heart and Soul = G / Em / Am / D

John Jacob Jingleheimer Smith

What Child Is This

John Denvers Country Roads is only 5 chords.

I've been picking up & putting it down for years & just started playing it again steadily (breaking in the fingers!) for a couple of months now.  I found Jewel's - You Were Meant for Me to be a great "beginning" (again) song (C, G, D & EM chords).  Also, Van Morrison's - Brown Eyed Girl uses the same chords.  I would also agree that a lot of the Beatles tunes are great starter songs.  Good luck !