5 First Songs Every Guitarist Learns (and Why)

Hey everyone, I make the case that Nirvana was the perfect band for beginner guitarists in the 90s, simple shapes, huge payoff, and the proof that you do not need to shred to write something the whole world sings.

That got me thinking about the handful of songs that nearly every guitarist learns first, the universal starter pack. Here are 5 first songs every guitarist learns, and exactly why. Here we go!

Watch the video: Why Nirvana Was Perfect for Beginner Guitarists and subscribe on the Rock with PJ Pat channel for more rock breakdowns.

1. Deep Purple, Smoke on the Water

The undisputed first riff for almost everyone. Those four notes are simple enough that a total beginner can play them in an afternoon, yet they sound instantly badass, which is exactly the dopamine hit a new player needs to keep going. Bonus, the real Ritchie Blackmore riff is played in fourths, not power chords, so it secretly teaches you something about how the pros think. Every guitar shop on earth has heard it a thousand times for good reason.

2. The White Stripes, Seven Nation Army

The modern Smoke on the Water. That descending riff is single notes on one string, so a beginner can nail it almost immediately, and it has the bonus of being chanted in every stadium on the planet. It teaches timing and simple riffing without a single tricky chord. Jack White proved again that the most powerful guitar parts are often the simplest, which is the best lesson a new player can learn early.

3. Oasis, Wonderwall

The campfire and dorm room king. Wonderwall is the song that teaches you chords and strumming, usually with a capo so the shapes are easy, and it is basically guaranteed to get people singing along. It is a bit of a running joke that everyone plays it, but there is a reason: it is the perfect bridge from learning shapes to actually performing a full song for other humans. A rite of passage.

4. Nirvana, Come As You Are

Right in line with the Short above. Come As You Are has a slinky single note riff that sits perfectly under the fingers and teaches you to use a little palm muting and feel. It sounds moody and cool while being totally beginner friendly. Like a lot of Nirvana, it is living proof that emotional impact has nothing to do with technical difficulty. Three or four notes can break your heart.

5. Black Sabbath, Iron Man

For the kid who wants to go heavy, Iron Man is the gateway. The main riff is slow, chunky, and built from simple power chord style moves, so it is very learnable, and it sounds absolutely massive coming out of any amp. It introduces beginners to the heavy side of the instrument and to Tony Iommi, one of the founding fathers of metal riffing. The first taste of doom, and it goes down easy.

More on What Rocks: Why Do Minor Chords Make Us Cry, 5 Legendary Guitars Rock Heroes Built or Hacked Themselves, and Strat vs Les Paul.

Wear it loud

Whether you are on riff number one or one thousand, gear up like a player. Two picks for the certified rock heads:

Rock Hand Sign Graphic Tee →
For everyone who still remembers their first riff.

Volume Knob Rock Baseball Cap →
Practice quiet, play it back at 11.

Crank it up to 11!

PJ Pat