The easiest folk songs on guitar need only G, C and D, sometimes with Em or Am: “Blowin’ in the Wind”, “This Land Is Your Land”, “Leaving on a Jet Plane”, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” are the standard first songs. Folk is built for singing along, so the chords stay simple and the strumming can be as plain as you like.
Each song below lists the chords in a beginner-friendly key. Use a capo if you want to match a singer’s key without learning new shapes.
1. “Blowin’ in the Wind” – Bob Dylan (1963)
Chords: G, C and D.
Every line moves between G and C, and D arrives at the end of each phrase. Dylan recorded it in 1962, and Peter, Paul and Mary’s cover a year later made it a hit. Strum down on each beat while you learn the changes, then add an up-strum between beats.
2. “This Land Is Your Land” – Woody Guthrie (1945)
Chords: G, C and D (or C, F and G in songbooks pitched for groups).
Guthrie wrote the lyrics in 1940 and recorded the song in 1944; it was published in 1945. It is a three-chord song with a long, singable chorus, which is why it is still taught in schools and at campfires. The chord changes fall in the same place in every verse.
3. “Leaving on a Jet Plane” – John Denver (1966)
Chords: G, C and D.
John Denver wrote it in 1966, and Peter, Paul and Mary’s 1969 version reached number one. The verse is a G–C rocking pattern, and the chorus adds D. It suits fingerpicking as well as strumming, so it grows with you.
4. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver (1971)
Chords: G, Em, D and C.
The verse runs G–Em–D–C and back to G; the chorus uses the same four chords in a different order. G to Em is one of the easiest changes on the guitar, since two fingers barely move. A capo on the second fret puts it in A, the key of the record.
5. “The Times They Are a-Changin'” – Bob Dylan (1964)
Chords: G, Em, C and D.
The title track of Dylan’s 1964 album has a waltz-like lilt; count it in three and strum on the first beat of each bar. The chord pattern repeats for every verse, so once you have one verse you have the whole song.
6. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan (1973)
Chords: G, D, Am and C.
Written for the film Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, the song is just two four-bar patterns: G–D–Am, then G–D–C. It is slow, so there is time for every change. It sits on the line between folk and rock and is a common first song at open mics.
7. “Wagon Wheel” – Old Crow Medicine Show (2004)
Chords: G, D, Em and C, with a capo on the second fret to match the record.
Ketch Secor finished a chorus sketch by Bob Dylan, and the song uses the I–V–vi–IV pattern all the way through: G–D–Em–C, then G–D–C. Darius Rucker’s 2013 version made it a country hit too. Our page on the I–V–vi–IV progression lists more songs with the same four chords.
8. “The House of the Rising Sun” – The Animals (1964)
Chords: Am, C, D, F and E.
This traditional folk song was popularized by the Animals’ 1964 recording, which opens with Hilton Valentine’s A minor arpeggio. It is the hardest song here because F needs a barre (or a small four-string F), but the picking pattern is one of the best exercises for a beginner’s right hand.
Tips for Playing Folk Songs on Guitar
- Master G, C, D and Em first. They cover most of this list.
- Use a capo to sing comfortably. Keep the same shapes and slide the capo up until the melody fits your voice.
- Keep the strum steady. A simple down, down-up pattern works for almost every song here; see our list of strumming songs to play on guitar for more practice.
- Try fingerpicking later. “Leaving on a Jet Plane” and “The House of the Rising Sun” both sound good picked.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the easiest folk song to play on guitar? “Blowin’ in the Wind” or “This Land Is Your Land”, both of which use only G, C and D.
- Do I need a capo for folk songs? No, but it helps you match a singer’s key without changing chord shapes.
- Which folk songs are good for singing in a group? “This Land Is Your Land”, “Country Roads” and “Wagon Wheel” all have choruses that most people know.
- Where can I find more Dylan songs? See our list of the best Bob Dylan songs; many use the same open chords.
Related
- Custom Miami Dolphins Shirt Ideas and How to Choose Yours
- What Is the Dolphins Mascot Name? Origins and Usage Explained
- Fresh Fruit Dip Recipe: Easy, Creamy & Perfect for Any Occasion