The easiest hymns on guitar can be played with three chords, G, C and D: “Amazing Grace”, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” are the best places to start. Hymn melodies were written for congregations to sing, so the harmony is simple and repeats from verse to verse.
All of the hymns below are long-established and widely sung. The chords are given in a common guitar-friendly key; use a capo to raise the key for a choir or congregation without changing the shapes.
1. “Amazing Grace” – John Newton (1779)
Chords: G, C and D (add G7 before the C for a fuller sound).
John Newton wrote the words in 1772, and they were published in 1779; since 1835 they have usually been sung to the tune “New Britain”. The hymn moves in a slow three, so strum once per beat or play a simple bass-strum-strum pattern. It is the most commonly taught hymn on guitar for good reason.
2. “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” – Joseph M. Scriven (1855)
Chords: G, C and D.
Joseph M. Scriven wrote the words as a poem in 1855, and Charles C. Converse composed the tune in 1868. The melody is gentle and even, and the chord changes come at regular points in every line, which makes it easy to follow from a chord sheet.
3. “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” – Ada R. Habershon (1907)
Chords: G, C and D.
The 1907 hymn by Ada R. Habershon and Charles H. Gabriel is the source of the later Carter Family song. It is a classic three-chord gospel tune with a strong chorus, and it suits an upbeat country strum as well as a slow one.
4. “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” – Traditional Spiritual
Chords: G, C and D.
This African-American spiritual is credited to Wallace Willis and Minerva Willis. The Fisk University Jubilee Quartet’s 1909 recording helped carry it around the world. The call-and-response chorus makes it good for group singing, and the chords follow the melody closely.
5. “Blessed Assurance” – Fanny Crosby (1873)
Chords: G, C and D in a simple arrangement.
Fanny Crosby wrote the words in 1873 to a melody by Phoebe Knapp. The tune has a lilting rhythm, so count it in groups of three and keep the strum light. The refrain repeats after every verse, which helps beginners settle into the changes.
6. “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” – Robert Robinson (1758)
Chords: G, C, D and Em.
Robert Robinson wrote the text in 1758, and it is most often sung to the tune “Nettleton”. Em is the only addition to the three-chord set, and moving from G to Em needs just two fingers.
7. “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (the Doxology) – Old 100th (1551)
Chords: G, D, Em and C.
The Doxology is sung to the tune Old 100th by Louis Bourgeois, written in 1551. It is short, steady and in even beats, so it is a good hymn to practise changing chords on every beat.
8. “Be Thou My Vision” – Traditional Irish (1912)
Chords: D, G, A and Bm, in the key of D.
The English text was translated by Mary Elizabeth Byrne in 1905 and versified by Eleanor Hull in 1912, sung to the Irish melody Slane. Bm is the only barre chord; a four-string Bm works until a full barre is comfortable.
Tips for Playing Hymns on Guitar
- Learn G, C, D and Em. Those four chords cover most of this list; see our guide to guitar chords all beginners need to know.
- Follow the singers. Hymns often hold notes at the end of a line; let the chord ring rather than keeping a rigid strum.
- Use a capo for the congregation. Keep the shapes and move the capo up until the melody sits comfortably for the group.
- Count the time signature. Several hymns here, such as “Amazing Grace”, move in three rather than four.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the easiest hymn to play on guitar? “Amazing Grace” is the usual first hymn, because it uses G, C and D and moves slowly.
- Can I play hymns with only three chords? Yes. “Amazing Grace”, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” all work with G, C and D.
- Should I strum or fingerpick hymns? Either. Strumming suits group singing; fingerpicking suits quiet services and solo playing.
- Where can I find more songs for church? See our list of worship songs to play on guitar, and our explainer on gospel music.
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