The easiest punk songs on guitar are built on three or four power chords and fast downstrokes: “Blitzkrieg Bop” by the Ramones, “All the Small Things” by Blink-182, “When I Come Around” and “Basket Case” by Green Day, and the Clash’s “I Fought the Law” are the classic first songs. If you can play a two-finger power chord and move it along the low strings, you can play punk.
Below is how a power chord works, then six easy punk songs with the chords and what each one teaches.
What a Power Chord Is
A power chord is just the root note and the fifth above it, often with the octave on top. Put your first finger on the low E or A string, and your third finger two frets higher on the next string. The shape is the same everywhere on the neck, so changing chords means sliding one shape up and down. Because it has no major or minor third, a power chord stays clear and punchy through distortion, which is why punk bands use it for almost everything.
Play power chords with downstrokes only, and rest the side of your picking hand on the strings by the bridge (palm muting) for the tight, chugging sound.
1. “Blitzkrieg Bop” – Ramones (1976)
Chords: A, D and E as power chords.
The Ramones’ first single is the template for punk guitar: three power chords, steady downstrokes and no solo. The challenge is stamina rather than technique, since Johnny Ramone’s right hand never lets up. Start slow and build speed over a few weeks.
2. “All the Small Things” – Blink-182 (1999)
Chords: C, F and G.
The song is in C major, and the guitar riff cycles around C, F and G, the I, IV and V chords. Play them as power chords on the A and low E strings. The “na na na” section uses the same chords, so there is very little to learn.
3. “When I Come Around” – Green Day (1995)
Chords: G, D, Em and C shapes.
Most of the song is based on a sequence of four chords. The record is in G-flat major because the band tuned down a half step; in standard tuning, play G, D, Em and C and you will be in G. The verse riff is a good exercise in letting chords ring rather than muting them.
4. “Basket Case” – Green Day (1994)
Chords: E, B, C#m, G#m, A, E and B (power chords), in E-flat on the record.
The song’s chord progression closely mirrors Pachelbel’s Canon, and the record is in E-flat major. Tune down a half step to match it, or play the same shapes in standard tuning. Played as power chords, C#m and G#m become C#5 and G#5, the same two-finger shape as every other chord in the song. More songs with this progression are on our page of songs that use the Pachelbel Canon progression.
5. “Dammit” – Blink-182 (1997)
Chords: C, G, Am and F.
“Dammit” is built on a simple four-chord riff at a brisk tempo. Mark Hoppus came up with the intro on an acoustic guitar that was missing two strings, which is why the riff is so economical. Learn it slowly with power chords before trying the full-speed strumming.
6. “I Fought the Law” – The Clash (1979)
Chords: G, C and D.
Written by Sonny Curtis and a hit for the Bobby Fuller Four, the song was recorded by the Clash in 1979. It is three chords with a strong backbeat, and it works with open chords on an acoustic or with power chords on an electric.
Tips for Playing Punk on Guitar
- Downstrokes only. It is harder on the wrist but it is the punk sound. Build up speed gradually.
- Palm mute the verses, open up the choruses. The contrast does most of the work.
- Keep the shape locked. Move the whole hand between power chords; do not rebuild the chord each time.
- Listen to the bands. Our lists of the most famous 80s punk bands and pop-punk bands are good places to find more songs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the easiest punk song on guitar? “Blitzkrieg Bop”, with three power chords and no solo.
- Do I need to tune down for Green Day songs? Only to match the record. The same shapes work in standard tuning; you will just be a half step higher.
- Can I play punk on an acoustic guitar? Yes. Use open chords instead of power chords; “I Fought the Law” and “All the Small Things” both work well.
- What are power chords written as? Usually with a 5 after the note, such as E5 or A5, meaning root and fifth only.
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