Playing songs on guitar is exciting, but you have to be careful in picking a tune. Discover some tips on how to choose the right song here.

How to Choose Songs to Play on Guitar

Picking songs you want to play is one of the most enjoyable and memorable parts of learning to play guitar. This is where you can live out your musical aspirations while playing your music taste.

For beginners, choosing a song to play can be tricky. Selecting the right song that can challenge and motivate them is a constant battle.

If you're still learning how to play the guitar and want to learn to play a song, this guide is for you. 

Assess Your Skill Level

Before choosing a song, you must first understand your current skill level. Start with easy guitar songs with a simple chord progression. As you ramp up your skills, learn more complex guitar solos and fingerpicking techniques. Consider these suggestions for song choices:

• Beginner Songs: Find songs with easy strumming patterns and open chords. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan and "Wonderwall" by Oasis. They're some of the most popular and enjoyable songs to play.

• Intermediate Level: Move on to songs with barre chords, possibly simple solos, and complex rhythms. The Eagles' "Hotel California," Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl," and Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" are playable without the extra pressure on your end. These songs have a G chord progression, too.

• Advanced Songs: If you're ready for intricate solos and complex time signatures, play "Eruption" by Van Halen or "Sultans of Swing" by Dire Straits.

Consider Your Musical Preferences

Choose a song genre you like to keep you interested. Playing music you like makes every practice session rewarding. You can try these songs based on the genre you love:

• Pop: Bubblegum pop songs like "Sugar Sugar" by the Archies can be easy to play. Go a little moody with pop ballads like "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith. Try "Hey Souls Sister" by Train, a great song that will get you bouncing while playing it on guitar.

• Rock: Classic rock anthems like "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses or "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana can challenge and fulfill your spirit. Other songs like "Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival are playable, too.

• Blues: Start with simple 12-bar blues progressions. Songs like "The Thrill Is Gone" by B.B. King, "Pride and Joy" by Stevie Ray Vaughan, and "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd are excellent choices for developing your blues guitar skills.

• Jazz: This genre has complex chord progressions. "Autumn Leaves" and "Blue Bossa" have jazz harmony and rhythm you can familiarize yourself with.

• Folk/Country: This genre has straightforward chord progressions and storytelling lyrics. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver or "Jolene" by Dolly Parton are perfect for practicing chord changes. Pick a few from Taylor Swift's first four, eighth, ninth, and eleventh albums if you want modern folk or country songs. Some of her earlier country songs incorporate pop, which can be easy to learn.

Analyze the Song's Structure

Understanding how a song is divided into parts and structured can help determine if it suits your current skill level. Songs with repetitive structures are usually easy to learn, while songs with more complex arrangements suit advanced players.

• Beginners: Try "Let It Be" by The Beatles and "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. They follow a verse-chorus structure and have C chords.

• Advanced: These songs have multiple sections you can break down into parts as you learn them. Examples are "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen and "Black Dog" by Led Zeppelin.

• Four-Chord Song: These songs have a simple chord progression that repeats within the entire song. Examples are "Someone Like You" by Adele, "Counting Stars" by One Republic, "Free Fallin" by Tom Petty, and "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley.

• Three Chords: They’re easy to play for beginners. "I Wanna Be Your Man" by The Beatles is an example.

• Barre Chord: They’re made of "bars" across the fretboard by pressing down multiple strings with one finger. "Toxic" by Britney Spears" and "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran use barre chords.

Look for Songs with Learning Resources

If you want to play the song accurately, look for any music sheet and tutorials online. These tutorials can help you explore the song's trickiest parts. You can also gain access to sheets with music dotted notes for better playing.

Play Along with the Original Recording

Playing the song on guitar with the original record will help you internalize it and improve your timing. You'll feel how a certain part of the song fits with the arrangement, and this will also develop your ear for music.

Parting Thoughts

Choosing a song to play on guitar can be challenging, but it's worth a try when you pick a song that suits your skill level. It will open your mind to trying new techniques.

But just like other hobbies, don't get too overwhelmed when playing music on a guitar. Enjoy every minute of it, whether you're playing a catchy song or a hit song that everybody knows.