7 Easy Country Songs To Play on Guitar

Country music has a rich history of storytelling and emotional expression, making it a popular genre for music lovers and aspiring guitar players alike. Learning to play your favorite country songs on an acoustic guitar can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience --- and since there aren't as many riffs in the relaxed, non-technical nature of the genre, it's fairly easy for beginners to pick up most songs with or without a capo.

From the legendary Johnny Cash to the iconic Dolly Parton, here are seven easycountry songs on guitar that you can learn with the help of our Rocksmith+ song library.

1. "Atlanta Song" - David Allan Coe

"Atlanta Song" by David Allan Coe is a great song for beginners to learn on the guitar because it features a simple chord progression consisting of just three basic chords: G, C, and D. These guitar chords are some of the most commonly used in guitar playing, and they're easy for beginners to learn and practice.

The song has a relaxed speed and simple strumming pattern, making it easy to keep pace and follow along, which allows beginners to focus on building their finger strength, chord changes, and strumming techniques, which are all essential skills for beginner guitarists. On top of all that, "Atlanta Song" has a catchy melody and memorable lyrics, making it a fun song to practice and play.

2. "Do What You Do" - Martina McBride

Martina McBride is an American country music singer-songwriter who has won numerous awards, including the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year award four times. One of her hit songs, "Do What You Do," is a great choice for beginners to learn on the acoustic guitar, with a simple chord progression consisting of G, D, C, and Em chords. It also has an easy-to-follow strumming pattern that's a slow rhythm perfect for beginners to practice their chord transitions and timing.

The guitar chords are played in the following order: G, D, C, and Em, and the strumming pattern for the song is a simple down-up-down-up pattern, which should be repeated throughout the song. If you want to start pushing yourself, try humming or singing the vocal melody while playing.

3. "Gone Girl" - Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash was an iconic American singer-songwriter and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, selling over 53 million records throughout his career. Known for his deep, distinctive voice and ability to blend country, rock, and folk music to create his unique sound, Cash's songs often dealt with themes of love, heartache, and the struggles of everyday life.

One of his popular songs, "Gone Girl," is a great choice for anyone who wants to learn. Cash's powerful vocals and the song's relatable lyrics have resonated with audiences for decades and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest musicians ever.

To play "Gone Girl" on the acoustic guitar, play the chords in this order: Bb, C, F, and G.

"Gone Girl" is an important song in Johnny Cash's discography, showcasing his ability to convey complex emotions and themes through his music. The song tells the story of a man who is left heartbroken after his lover leaves him without any explanation.

4. "Let's All Help the Cowboys" - Waylon Jennings

Waylon Jennings was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist who helped pioneer the outlaw country movement in the 1970s. His unique sound blended traditional country music with rock and roll elements, resulting in a rebellious and authentic style. "Let's All Help The Cowboys (Sing The Blues)" is a great example of Jennings' signature sound, blending traditional country and rock influences.

The song's lyrics also touch on themes of empathy and support, encouraging listeners to lend a hand to those in need. Overall, the song is a testament to Jennings' talent as a songwriter and his contributions to country music.

Jennings' song "Let's All Help The Cowboys (Sing The Blues)" is an excellent place for beginners to start playing the guitar. The song features the basic chords of G, C, D, and A, and the strumming is straightforward and easy to follow.

To play "Let's All Help The Cowboys (Sing The Blues)" on the acoustic guitar, begin by placing your fingers on the appropriate frets for each chord. The guitar chords are played in the following order: G, C, D, and A. The strumming pattern for the song is a simple down-up-down-up pattern that should be repeated throughout the song.

5. "Never Say Die" - The Chicks

The Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, are an American country music band consisting of Natalie Maines, Emily Robison, and Martie Maguire. They rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s by blending traditional country music with pop and rock influences.

"Never Say Die" is a great example of The Chicks' unique sound, with its blend of traditional country and pop influences. The song's lyrics also touch on themes of resilience and perseverance, encouraging listeners to never give up in the face of adversity. It is a testament to The Chicks' talent as songwriters and performers and their contributions to the world of country music.

"Never Say Die" is a great song for beginners to learn on the guitar. The song features a simple chord progression consisting mostly of C, F, G, and Am chords. At places it throws in a Dm7 and a Gsus4, but these are only in a few places. The strumming pattern is also straightforward to follow, making it an ideal song for beginners to practice their chord transitions and rhythm.

6. "Islands in the Stream" - Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers

Dolly Parton is an American treasure, country singer, and songwriter known for her distinctive voice and signature style. Over her long and successful career, she has had numerous hit songs, including the classic love song "Islands in the Stream."

Originally a duet performed by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton in 1983, the song was written by the Bee Gees, produced by Barry Gibb, and was nearly a solo song by Kenny Rogers if it weren't for a last-minute studio decision. It quickly became a chart-topping hit in several countries and is still a beloved classic today.

To play "Islands in the Stream" on guitar, start by tuning your guitar to standard tuning (EADGBE). The song is in the key of A, and the chords you'll need to know are A, Bm, D, and E. The song follows a simple chord progression throughout the verses and chorus: A, Bm, D, A, E, A, Bm, and D.

The strumming pattern is also relatively simple, using downstrokes on each beat.

Playing "Islands in the Stream" on guitar is a great way to enjoy a classic country hit while improving your guitar skills. As you practice the easy chords and strumming pattern, you'll be able to play along with the song and even sing along if you can!

7. "Trouble in Mind" - Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard is considered to be one of the greatest country musicians of all time. Born in 1937 in California, Haggard had a troubled childhood and spent time in jail before turning to music. He went on to have an incredibly successful career, earning numerous awards and accolades for his work. One of Haggard's most well-known songs is "Trouble in Mind," which was first released in 1960. Many artists have covered the song over the years, and it remains a popular choice for guitar players.

"Trouble in Mind" is a relatively simple song to play on guitar, making it a great choice for beginners who want to learn some classic country tunes. To play the song easily, use a capo on the 3rd fret. Start with a G chord and strum down twice. Then, switch to a C chord and strum down twice. Repeat this pattern with a D chord and then an A7 chord. The entire verse follows this pattern, with the chorus being a bit different. Without a capo, you'll use Bb7, Eb7, and F7 instead.

While the chords themselves are simple, the timing and rhythm of the song can take some practice to get right. However, with a bit of practice and patience, even novice guitar players can master "Trouble in Mind" and add it to their repertoire of classic country tunes!

The Bottom Line

Country music remains a significant source of inspiration for many acoustic guitar players --- beginners and professionals alike. If you're looking to dive into the world of country music on guitar, these seven songs are an easy way to get started --- and with Rocksmith+, you can master your favorite songs in no time.

Sources:

Johnny Cash | Academy of Achievement

Kenny Rogers Shares Story on Islands In The Stream | Blackbird Presents

Merle Haggard | Country Music Hall of Fame