Beginning Guitar

When I taught 6th grade, we opened each day by singing a couple of songs. One year, many of the students became interested in learning to play the guitar. I compiled a book with the easiest songs I could find. I wanted children to enjoy early success and maintain their enthusiasm, so that even if they didn't follow through and really learn to play at a young age, they would have a good experience and might pick it up and learn more later.

The first songs in this book require only one-finger C and G7 chords and easy strums. From there it gets a bit more difficult. It's been said that guitar is one of the easiest instruments to learn to play and one of the most difficult instruments to learn to play well. Kids can learn to accompany themselves and others in singing many, many folk songs.

How to Play the Songs

The chords for each song are shown on the same page as the song. The vertical (up and down) lines stand for the strings and the horizontal (sideways) lines are the frets. The numbers in the circles stand for the fingers on your left hand. 1 is the first finger, the pointer finger. 2 is the middle finger. 3 is the ring finger. 4 is the little finger.

An X at the top of the string ,shows that you do not play that string at all. An O at the top of the string means that you play that string open. To start with, just strum down with your thumb over the three or four strings that you are supposed to play. The slash marks over the words show where you should strum. It is important to sing along. If you do not know the tune of a song, go to the next song. You can play lots of songs with just two chords, C and G7, before more difficult chords are needed.

Beginning Guitar (pdf booklet)

Songs with C and G7

Songs with G, D7, C and G7

Songs with minor chords

Songs with C, F and G or G7

Songs with A, E, and D

Full Chord Diagrams

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May he give you the desire of your heart, and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4