Are you looking to quickly learn a few easy guitar or bass songs? You don’t have to spend hours learning complex music theory or struggling with difficult chords. In this blog post, you’ll find five songs that you can play in minutes – no matter your musical experience! Let’s get started and find out what these five easy guitar and bass songs are!
Table of Contents
Introduction to Guitar and Bass Songs
Guitar and bass songs are a great way to learn how to play the instrument, and they’re also a great way to enjoy music. Here are five easy guitar and bass songs you can play in minutes.
What You Need to Get Started
If you’re just starting out with guitar and bass, here are five easy songs you can play in minutes. All of these songs are great for beginners, and they’ll help you get started learning the basics of guitar and bass.
“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves
This classic pop song is easy to play on guitar and bass, and it’s a great way to start your music career. The chords are simple, and the song is easy to follow.
“I Will Follow You Into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie
This haunting acoustic ballad is perfect for acoustic guitar and bass players. The chords are easy to learn, and the song is full of emotion.
“Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley
This funky blues song is a great introduction to blues guitar and bass. The chords are simple, and the song is fun to play.
“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves (reprise)
If you’re a fan of Katrina and the Waves, you’ll love this fun version of the song. The chords are the same as in the original song, but the tempo is faster, making it a great workout for your fingers.
“Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple
This classic rock song is a must-know for any guitarist or bass player. The chords are simple, but the riffing is complex, making it a challenging song to play.
Choosing the Right Guitar and Bass
When it comes to picking the right guitar and bass for your needs, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure you have a good understanding of the different types of guitars and basses available on the market. Second, be sure to consider your budget and what you’re looking for in a guitar and bass. Third, be sure to choose the right size and shape of guitar and bass for your playing style. And finally, be sure to practice regularly so that you can improve your skills on both instruments.
Basic Chords and Strumming Patterns
Essential Chords and Strumming Patterns
One of the quickest ways to learn how to play guitar and bass is by learning basic chords and strumming patterns. Learning essential chords and strumming patterns will help you make your guitar playing more versatile and easier to understand.
When trying to learn chord progressions, one of the most important things to remember is that each chord can be played in a variety of ways. This means that if you want to play a G5 progression, for example, there are many different ways you can do it: with just the G note, or with an added D7b5 chord underneath it. No matter what happens in between the chords (including which notes get played), at its core, this progression remains basically the same.
So if you want to learn how to play basic chords and strumming patterns, the best way to do it is by learning and memorizing essential chords and strumming patterns. Once you have a good understanding of these basic chords and strumming patterns, you can start experimenting with more complex chord progressions.
Here are five essential guitar chords and strumming patterns that you need to know:
- The Open Chord: G5, A5, D5, Em7 (or any other chord)
- The First Inverted Chord: C#maj7 (or any other chord), E6 (or any other chord)
- The Second Inverted Chord: A7b5 (or any other chord), D6 (or any other chord)
- The Minor Chord: Am7, Cm7, G7 (or any other chord)
- The Dominant 7th Chord: E7, B7, D#9 (or any other chord)
Quick and Easy Songs for Beginners
Almost any song can be played with just a guitar and bass, but if you’re looking to learn some basic chords and strumming patterns, these five songs are perfect for beginners. Each one is easy to follow and versatile enough to fit any style of music.
Classic Rock Tunes to Get You Started
One of the most popular genres of music to play on guitar and bass is classic rock. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, these five easy songs will get you started.
“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves
This classic rock tune is a great way to learn how to strum and chords. The chords are A, D, G, and E, and the strumming pattern is simple: hold down the first chord, then strum the second chord one time.
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
This hard-rock song is a great way to learn how to fingerpick. The chords are E, A, D, G, and B7, and the strumming pattern is simple: hold down the first chord, then fingerpick the second, third, fourth, and fifth chords.
“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves
This classic rock tune is a great way to learn how to strum and chords. The chords are A, D, G, E, and B7; the strumming pattern is simple: hold down the first chord, then strum the second chord one time.
“Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne
This hard-rock song is a great way to learn how to hammer on/pull off technique. The chords are F#m (D0), C#0 (G#dim), Em (A#dim), and D (Bdim), and the strumming pattern is as follows: hold down the first chord, then hammer on the string one time, then pull off the string.
“Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
This classic rock tune is a great way to learn how to fingerpicking. The chords are Cmaj7 (D7), Em (A7), D5 (G4), G5 (Bb5). The strumming pattern is simple: hold down the fifth chord, play each other chord twice, and let go of 5th chord.
Simple Bass Lines for Immediate Groove
Chord symbols, like EGCG, are a great way to remember chord progressions and new songs. However, they can be daunting when you’re just starting out. Fortunately, there are also simple basslines that you can learn and play right away to create an immediate groove. In this section, we’ll show you 5 easy guitar and bass songs that use these chords and strums.
Learning Your First Song: “Sweet Home Alabama”
Learning your first song is a great way to start getting more out of your music. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd is a classic that can be learned very quickly with just guitar and bass. Some basic chords and strumming can get you started, and once you’ve nailed down the basics, adding some extra accents or flourishes will make the song yours. Here are 5 easy guitar and bass songs you can play in minutes:
- “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
- “Freebird” by The Allman Brothers Band
- “Brown Eyed Women” by The Rolling Stones
- “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen
- “The Weight” by Bonnie Raitt
Learning Your Second Song: “Brown Eyed Girl”
learning your second song: brown eyed girl
Brown-eyed Girl is a great beginner guitar and bass song. It’s just a 4-chord tune with easy strums, so it’s perfect for starting out. If you can play this, you’re well on your way to becoming a rocking guitarist!
Learning Your Third Song: “Stairway to Heaven”
Chord Progression Basics
A chord progression is a series of chords played one after the other in order. When learning to play guitar, it’s important to understand how chords work together to create melodies and song structures.
Below are five easy guitar and bass songs that feature only guitar and bass, so you can start building your own chord progressions right away.
One important concept to keep in mind when playing these songs is the “chord substitution rule.” This rule states that any chord within the same key can be substituted for another, without changing the melody or rhythm of the song. So, for example, if you wanted to play a G7 chord in place of a D7 in “Walking on Sunshine,” all you have to do is change the “G” to “D.”
Start by learning one of these songs, and then work on building your own chord progressions using the chords listed below. Once you have a solid foundation, you can start expanding your repertoire and incorporating more guitar and bass into your music.
Basic Songs for Guitarists
Learning your third song can be daunting, but don’t worry, there are a few basic songs that guitarists can learn. “Stairway to Heaven” is a great place to start because it’s relatively easy to play and has a lot of familiar chords.
Start with the chorus:
G D A E
The first thing you’ll want to do is establish the key of G. Once you have that figured out, take note of the A in the chorus and use that as your home base for the rest of the song. Each chord will follow this pattern: root (A), minor second (B), major second (C), half step up or down (D).
The verses are just as easy to play:
G D A E
Simply follow the same chord structure, but change the order of the notes. The only difference is that the G in the chorus will become the E in verse 2 and so on.
*To make things a little more interesting, add in some background noise*. This can be done by plugging your guitar into an amplifier and turning up the Volume knob. Doing this will give you a heavier sound which can work well for songs like “Stairway to Heaven.”
Simple Bass Lines to Learn Quickly
Many beginner guitar players feel overwhelmed when it comes to learning songs. While there are many complex and lengthy songs out there, there are also a ton of simple options that can be learned quickly using just the guitar and bass. In this article, we will provide five easy guitar and bass songs you can play in minutes.
First up is “Brown Eyed Girl.” This song is relatively simple, featuring only two chords and a slow tempo. To learn it, begin by playing the A chord over the G chord progression given in the following figure:
Once you have that down, try adding some fills into your improvisation. Brown Eyed Girl is great for beginners because it doesn’t require too much technique or knowledge to play.
Next up is “I Can’t Quit You Baby.” This song is a bit more complicated, but it’s still relatively easy to learn. The chords in this song are D7th Root and G7th Root, so start by learning those first. Once you have that down, the rest of the chords will be easy to figure out. To play this song, begin by playing the D chord over the G7 chord progression given below:
Once you have that down, try adding some fills into your improvisation. This song is great for beginners because it doesn’t require too much technique or knowledge to play.
Finally, we have “Stairway to Heaven.” While this song may seem difficult at first, it’s actually a lot easier to play than many people think. The chords in this song are A minor and D minor, so start by learning those first. Once you have that down, the rest of the chords will be easy to figure out. To play this song, begin by playing the A chord over the D chord progression given below:
Once you have that down, try adding some fills into your improvisation. Stairway to Heaven is great for beginners because it doesn’t require too much technique or knowledge to play.
Shortcuts for Mastering Difficult Parts
If you’re looking to learn a third song, “Stairway to Heaven” is a great option. Here are some shortcuts for mastering the difficult parts:
- Practice the entire song until you can play it smoothly and with confidence.
- Use a metronome to keep your timing accurate.
- Use finger-picking techniques to make the guitar easier to play.
- Practice the chords and strums until they’re easy to remember and play correctly.
- Use a backing track or recorded version of the song to help you learn the parts and improve your skills.
Learning Your Fourth Song: “Knocking on Heaven’s Door”
Knocking on Heaven’s Door is one of the most well-known and popular songs ever written. The guitar and bass arrangement is relatively simple, so it can be learned quickly by beginners. One of the best ways to learn this song is to practice the rhythm first. Once you have a good understanding of the timing and how each chord progression works, you can start learning the individual notes.
There are many easy versions of this song that can be found online or in recording studios. These versions typically use basic chords and do not require any advanced techniques or tuning. If you are looking for a challenge, try playing one of these simpler versions first and then progressed to the more difficult arrangements later on.
Learning Your Fifth Song: “Wonderwall”
If you’re looking for an easy guitar and bass song to learn, try “Wonderwall.” This ballad is versatile enough to be played by beginner musicians and remains one of the most popular tunes on the radio. The chords are relatively simple, so even a beginning player should be able to play it without too much trouble. And if you want to take your playing to the next level, check out some of the online tabs that are available online.
Tips for Playing Along with a Band
When wanting to play along with a band, it can be tough trying to learn all of the songs. However, there are five easy guitar and bass songs you can play in minutes that will help get you started. “Wonderwall” by Oasis is one of these songs. The chords are simple, and all you need to do is strumming your guitar strings while the bass notes are played on the bass guitar. Other easy tunes to learn include Train’s “Drops of Brine,” Bruce Springsteen’s “The Streets of Philadelphia,” Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and Neil Young’s “Heart Of Gold.” These five beginner-friendly tunes will have you up and playing along in no time at all!
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Guitar and Bass Playing
Stringing Along the Perfect Melody
If you’re having trouble with your guitar or bass playing, here are some troubleshooting tips to help you get started.
- Make sure your strings are in good condition. If they’re stretched or broken, they’ll make it difficult to play correctly.
- Make sure your guitar or bass is in tune. If it’s not, you’ll have to adjust the strings accordingly.
- Make sure you’re using the right chords and scales for the song you’re playing. Not all songs require the same chords and scales, so be sure to research the song beforehand so you can play it correctly.
- Practice, practice, practice! The more you play, the better you’ll get at it.
Quick Warm-Up Chords to Get Started
If you’ve ever had problems with guitar and bass playing together, chances are that you’re not alone. In this section, we’ll provide some troubleshooting tips for common issues and a quick warm-up chord progression to get started.
Keep Jammin’ with Intricate Riffs & Solos
When it comes to guitar and bass playing, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, make sure you’re using the correct chords and scales. Second, be sure to practice regularly so that your skills stay sharp. And finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with new techniques and licks. These five easy guitar and bass songs will help you get started.
Mastering Those Must-Know Bass Lines
No matter how good you are at guitar and bass, there will be times when you run into problems. Here are some tips to help solve common issues:
- Make sure your strings are in good condition – Over time, worn-out strings can cause trouble with both your tone and accuracy. Get new strings for both instruments if necessary.
- Don’t forget the basics – One of the simplest ways to fix an issue is to ensure that you’re holding the correct pick angle, finger placement and string tension. Mastering these basics will make all the difference in fixing any problems quickly.
- Keep a tab notation handy – It can be hard to nail down what chord you’re playing without a written guide, so keep a tab notation of your favorite tunes handy. You can even use an app like Transcribe! to take notes during live performances.
- Check for binding – If your guitar or bass feels tight in certain areas, it might be due to binding. This is where the wood edges of the instrument meet and can cause issues with tuning and playability. If you notice this issue, carefully remove the binding with a sharp knife or Irazooka (a Japanese saw) before trying to fix anything else.
- Bring in the experts – If none of these tips work, there’s only one solution: bring in a professional! A luthier will be able to diagnose any problems with your instruments and offer solutions tailored specifically for your instrument and playing style.
Conclusion
Learning how to play guitar and bass can be a fun and fulfilling experience, but it can also be challenging. If you’re looking for easy songs to learn on guitar or bass that won’t require too much effort, check out the following five selections.
In conclusion, guitar and bass songs can be an enjoyable way to learn playing music on your own. Whether you’re new at the instrument or a long-time player who needs some fresh ideas, the five easy songs provided in this article offer a great introduction into what it takes to play these instruments. With some practice and dedication, soon enough you’ll be jamming away with your friends!
