When you are a beginner guitar player, one of the most satisfying and rewarding outcomes of your efforts is learning to play a song in your favorite genre. It is essential to play the songs you love to keep the motivation high and achieve the ultimate purpose of playing an instrument: enjoying the music.
Country music is a genre that emerged in the 1920s in the southern United States, in which folk music from immigrant European countries such as Ireland was combined with other musical forms of African-American origin such as blues, bluegrass, and gospel. For the newbie guitarists who are fans of the country genre, there are many easy country songs to play with a bit of twang in the tone.
Furthermore, the genre offers guitarists a rich pile of guitar techniques and progressions to add to their repertoire. From the bass note fingerpicking to the locomotive style strumming, the country guitar style can be recognized in songs of famous country legends like Willie Nelson or Johnny Cash.
These songs on the list are ideal pieces for beginners to get familiar with the country-style rhythm guitar so that they can have the right starting point for building on top of it in order to establish the basic skills and evolve as an all-around guitarist.
You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift
Here is a power, country pop tune by Taylor Swift. She released this big hit in 2009, and it appeared on her album Fearless. She recorded this tune in Nashville at Blackbird Studios.
This song is an absolute beginner tune with only 4 chords. You’ll need a capo on the 4th fret to play it. Two main strumming patterns are very simple to play.
You Belong With Me Guitar Chords
Love Story – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift has had a big influence on country music. You can hear banjos, violins, and other classic country instruments in the background or the mix in her tracks. This tune was released in 2008 and is a good example of Swift’s country influences.
This track was written in the key of C, and you must have a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original tone. There is only one strumming pattern for the whole song on this one: down-mute-down-up-down-up-down-up.
Blue Ain’t Your Color – Keith Urban
Keith Urban is one of the greatest modern country singers today. This country pop tune was released in 2016 and was featured on his album Ripcord. Also, he received many prizes for this track especially.
An electric guitar with a great tone plays smooth fillings here and there and follows an easy chord progression throughout the song. You can also hear an acoustic guitar playing the rhythm.
Blue Ain’t Your Color Guitar Chords
Body Like A Back Road – Sam Hunt
Sam Hunt is also one of the newest country pop singers. He released this song in 2017, and his album Southside featured this track. It is one of his biggest hits.
This one is a very fun song to play on the guitar. You will need your capo on the 3rd fret. It only has 4 chords to play, and there is a simple riff to learn.
Body Like A Back Road Guitar Chords
Small Town Boy – Dustin Lynch
Dustin Lynch is also a big country musician in recent years. He has more of a pop side, but you can hear the country infusion. This track was released in 2017 and appeared on his album Current Mood.
This beginner tune requires a capo on the 2nd fret. It has a simple chord progression including 4 chords: Cadd9, G, Em, and D. Cadd9 is one of the easiest add9 chords, so don’t be afraid to try it if you haven’t yet.
Your Man – Josh Turner
Josh Turner released this neotraditional country track in 2005. His same-titled album featured it, and it peaked at number 1 on the billboard hot country songs chart the same year.
This tune was composed in a very traditional way, and the country instruments and the vocals sound great together! A rhythm guitar plays the main chord progressions with a capo on the 4th fret. And a lead guitar with a beautiful amp tone plays fillings and solos.
Rumor – Lee Brice
This track is one of the greatest country guitar examples of recent years. It was released in 2018 and featured on Lee Brice’s self-titled album. His vocals are also remarkable.
There is an acoustic guitar plays the main chord composition throughout the song. And an electric guitar plays beautiful solos and licks between lyrics. It is for intermediate players, but the chords aren’t that hard to play once you learn them.
Humble And Kind – Tim McGraw
This song was awarded the country tune of the year after its release in 2016. It sounds amazing. McGraw’s album Damn Country Music featured this track the same year.
With playing only 3 chords and having a capo on the 4th fret, you can perform this beautiful track to your friends and family in a short time. The main progression is very simple as the rhythm guitar. And the lead guitar plays brilliant melodies and solos that you can also play.
Drunk On A Plane – Dierks Bentley
This track has the funniest music video. In 2014, Dierks Bentley released this country tune. It appeared on his album Riser. Check this guy for a different approach to country music cause it is both fun and traditional.
Have your capo on the 2nd fret to play this beginner song. Both the strumming pattern and the chord traffic are very simple to play. It is a great song to play with an acoustic or an electric guitar, as you prefer.
Drunk On A Plane Guitar Chords
God Gave Me You – Blake Shelton
This tune originally belonged to Dave Barnes, the Christian singer-songwriter. Blake Shelton recorded a beautiful version of it the next year it was released in 2010. The song is acclaimed by many.
This tune has a well-written acoustic composition. You play the chords, let them ring, and combine them with the main riff. There is also an electric guitar, empowering the main progression with power chords and certain licks.
Wanted – Hunter Hayes
Here is a young country musician who released this tune in 2012. Hunter Hayes recorded this song for his self-titled debut album. He is a new soul to country music’s future for sure.
This beginner tune requires a capo on the 5th fret. The chord progressions are brilliantly written, and it might take time to solve them in the first place. And after that, it is just so much fun to play this one.
Conclusion
To be an all-around guitarist, every player should check what country genre offers to their technique and musical approach. There are some precious and challenging techniques, songs, and playing styles that everyone can benefit from.
Keep in mind that the most crucial element is to have a solid foundation of the fundamentals like rhythm, tuning, notes, techniques, and chords, and the rest will follow. So keep on practicing!