10 Easy Rock Songs For Guitar Beginners: Songs Every Guitarist Should Know
Steve
February 18th, 2025
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A Quick Overview
Rock music has undergone decades of evolution, spawning diverse sub-genres, each with its own unique style and sound.
The guitar remains the heart and soul of rock. Mastering beginner tracks is key to building your confidence and skills.
Platforms like Simply Guitar provide step-by-step lessons to make learning easy and enjoyable for beginners.
Timeline of Rock Sub-Genres:
1950s: Rock and Roll, Doo-Wop, Rockabilly
1960s: Surf Rock, Psychedelic Rock, British Invasion
1970s: Hard Rock, Punk Rock, Glam Rock, Southern Rock
1980s-2020s: Heavy sounds, alternative/indie rock, experimental fusions
Beginner guitarists should focus on timeless tracks like “Satisfaction” and “La Bamba” to improve timing, rhythm, and confidence.
Consistent practice with these tracks enhances your technique while making the learning journey fun and rewarding.
Rock music, a cultural phenomenon that’s been rocking hearts and stages for over seventy years. This musical style has transformed into many subgenres, each with its own flavor.
From the pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll in the 50s to the countless style combinations throughout the decades, rock manages to stay fresh and relevant through the ages.
At the heart of rock music, you’ll find the guitar. Whether you’re shredding on an electric guitar or strumming soulfully on an acoustic one, this instrument is undeniably the backbone of rock’s signature sound.
If you’re looking to get into rock music and start playing, we’ll take a look at the best rock songs for beginners that will keep you motivated to learn and have fun at the same time.
Platforms like Simply Guitar make it super easy for beginners to dip their toes into the rock pool.
They offer a huge range of lessons, from basic riffs to full songs, designed to help anyone learn at their own pace.
But first, let’s have a quick look at rock music’s sub-genres by decades. This overview will help you get better familiar with the many variations of styles.
Sub-Genres of Rock Music: 1950s – 2025
1950s
Rock and Roll: Pioneered by artists like Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. It mixed elements of blues, country, and gospel music.
Doо-Wop: Known for its vocal group harmony, often with catchy melodies and simple lyrics.
Rockabilly: A blend of rock and roll with country music, epitomized by artists like Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins.
1960s
Surf Rock: Characterized by reverb-drenched guitars, popularized by groups like The Beach Boys and Dick Dale.
British Invasion: Bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones brought a new wave of rock music from the UK to the U.S.
Folk Rock: Combined elements of folk and rock, with Bob Dylan being a key figure in this movement.
Psychedelic Rock: With bands like Pink Floyd and The Doors, this genre used studio techniques to create a mind-altering sound.
Garage Rock: Simple, raw, and energetic, with bands like The Sonics and The Kingsmen.
1970s
Hard Rock: Louder, with more emphasis on guitar riffs, think Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple.
Progressive Rock: Bands like Yes and Genesis focused on complex compositions and lengthy songs.
Glam Rock: Characterized by flamboyant outfits and theatrical performances, with David Bowie and T. Rex.
Punk Rock: A back-to-basics approach with bands like The Ramones and The Sex Pistols.
Southern Rock: A mix of rock, country, and blues, with The Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
1980s
New Wave: Popped up with synthesizers and a cleaner sound, bands like The Police and Talking Heads.
Heavy Metal: Got heavier with bands like Iron Maiden and Metallica leading the charge.
Alternative Rock: Bands like R.E.M. started to challenge mainstream music.
Hair Metal: Glamorous, with big hair and power ballads from bands like Mötley Crüe and Poison.
College Rock: Indie bands, often played on college radio stations, like The Replacements.
1990s
Grunge: From Seattle, with Nirvana and Pearl Jam, it was raw and emotional.
Britpop: A response to grunge, with groups like Oasis and Blur bringing back British rock.
Post-Grunge: More polished versions of grunge, with bands like Creed and Nickelback.
Alternative Metal: Mixed elements of metal with alternative rock, like Tool and Rage Against the Machine.
Indie Rock: Bands like Pavement and Modest Mouse focused on independence from major labels.
2000s
Garage Revival: Modern bands like The White Stripes brought back the garage sound.
Post-Punk Revival: Groups like The Strokes and Interpol revived the energy of 70s punk.
Emo: Emotional hardcore evolved into a mainstream genre with bands like My Chemical Romance.
Nu-Metal: Blended metal with hip-hop and alternative, bands like Linkin Park and Korn.
Indie Pop: Bands like Arcade Fire combined indie rock with pop elements.
2010s
Indie Folk: Revival of folk music with bands like Mumford & Sons.
Shoegaze Revival: Modern bands like Beach House and Tame Impala brought back the dreamy sound.
Math Rock: Known for complex rhythms and time signatures, bands like Battles.
Dream Pop: A blend of indie rock with ethereal sounds, like Real Estate.
Alternative/Indie: Continued growth with diverse bands like Vampire Weekend.
2020s (up to 2025)
Post-Punk: A continued influence with newer bands like Fontaines D.C. exploring darker themes.
Neo-Psychedelia: Artists like King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard expand on classic psychedelic sounds.
Art Rock: Blending various influences with creativity, like St. Vincent.
Hyperpop: An evolution from synth-pop with artists like 100 gecs bringing an experimental edge.
Experimental Rock: Bands like Black Midi push the boundaries of conventional rock music.
This list isn’t too exhaustive, but it covers many of the key sub-genres and their evolution over the decades. Remember, music genres often blend and evolve, so these categories can have a lot of overlap or influence each other.
All of the music you listen to will eventually show up in your playing, shaping your own unique style.
For more helpful tips on this you can check out this article:
10 Easy Rock Songs for Guitar Beginners: Iconic Tracks
Click the links for guitar tabs;
Bob Marley & The Wailers’ “One Love” is a fantastic starting point. Its reggae-rock fusion offers straightforward, percussive rhythms that are easy to grasp, perfect for building confidence in your playing.
Jimmy Eat World “The Middle” combines catchy emo-rock vibes with simple but uplifting guitar work. It’s not just fun to play; it’s practically a classic in its own right.
Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” blends rock with Latin influences, making it an exuberant choice. Its simple yet energetic rhythm is a delight to play, offering an early glimpse into rock’s diverse influences.
Muse’s “Knights of Cydonia.” The song is not only a blast to play with its dynamic riffs and falsetto vocals but also a great way to explore different styles within rock.
ZZ Top’s “Tush” is a gem for beginners craving that blues-rock groove. It’s got a three-chord progression that’s straightforward, letting you focus on perfecting timing and rhythm.
The Smashing Pumpkins’ “Cherub Rock” offers a mix of easy riffs and catchy hooks. It’s a great song to help you understand power chords and their uses in rock music.
The Strokes’ “Last Nite” teaches both chord anticipation and 16th-note strumming patterns, adding a bit of punk flair to your repertoire. It’s perfect for beginners looking to keep things interesting.
The Smithereens’ “Blood & Roses” features five versatile chords and pivot finger techniques. Plus, playing along to its steady 8th-note strumming is pretty satisfying.
Finally, “Not Fade Away” by Buddy Holly wraps up your beginner song list with its focus on classic rock rhythms. It uses a straightforward set of chords—E, A, and D—making it an excellent practice piece for down strums and alternates.
By exploring these songs, you’re setting a solid foundation for more advanced playing as you grow as a guitarist. Getting comfortable with these tracks will open the door to play even more complex rock ‘n’ roll tunes.
These beginner-friendly rock songs will get you rolling on the exciting road into rock music. Each track not only enriches your playing skills but also immerses you deeper into the genre’s wide-ranging styles, from reggae-infused rock vibes to punk flair.
Platforms like the Simply Guitar app offer more than just step-by-step learning; they unleash pathways to rock proficiency, encouraging steady and engaging progress. They break down complex sounding riffs and rhythms into approachable chunks, ensuring you aren’t just playing the music but understanding it.
Mastering these songs can boost your confidence and provide the foundational skills needed for exploring even more challenging compositions. It’s about getting comfortable with your guitar, finding your groove, and expressing yourself through the universal language of rock.
As you become more proficient, you’ll find yourself ready to tackle more complex guitar pieces with enthusiasm and confidence. Each song mastered is a stepping stone closer to playing music that blends with your personal experiences and passions.
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I’ve been playing guitar 40 years now; writing, recording, and rocking in bands. Randy Rhoads, Warren DiMartini, and of course, Jimi Hendrix all lit the fire for me, and I’ve been chasing that passion ever since.
