An important part of learning how to play fingerstyle guitar is simply practicing with a whole bunch of great songs. The more you practice with the best fingerstyle guitar songs, the more you improve your fingerpicking skills while striving to become a pro. Fortunately, there are several fingerstyle guitar songs out there you can always practice with as a beginner. Nothing seems better than making fingerpicking easier for you as a beginner with some easy-to-practice fingerstyle guitar songs.
To help you with the search, we've compiled a list of the best fingerstyle guitar songs to master as a beginner. Every one of these songs has something unique about them, and you’ll learn a huge amount from any of them you choose to practice with. So, we really hope that you enjoy all the songs on this list!
Our Top 10 Picks on the Best Fingerstyle Guitar Songs to Master
1. “Expectation” by Logan Ransley
Released in 2023 by Logan Ransley, this track is literally one of the best fingerstyle guitar songs out there. It has a beautiful intro and a very sophisticated and stylish sound throughout. It is also short and doesn’t feature huge sections, making it an ideal option for learning how to play fingerstyle guitar. With that said, you could play it using just a thumb and one finger, and there are only a few relatively simple parts to the song.
2. “Blackbird” by The Beatles
“Blackbird” is a song by the English rock band The Beatles from their 1968 double album. This song is a great way to ease yourself into fingerpicking because it doesn’t use any complicated patterns while practicing. On top of this, it’s one of the best fingerstyle guitar songs over the last decade. Even better, it’s a song that often inspires those who intend to learn how to play fingerstyle guitar.
3. “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman
This is yet another popular song originally released by Tracy Chapman in 1988. It’s one of the best fingerstyle guitar songs you could master easily. The song uses a simple pattern played at a slow tempo, making it a good option when learning how to play fingerstyle guitar. There are just a few parts to this song, so there’s not much to memorize, and it’s not hard to put the whole song together. Once you get the pattern of this song, it becomes easy to repeat it over and over, much like it’s easy to repeat a common strum pattern.
4. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” is a hugely popular song as it uses fairly simple fingerpicking and even features an added strumming technique. Released in 2014 as part of Ed Sheeran’s album titled “x”, this track is one of the best fingerstyle guitar songs you could master without complications. The song gives you room to create a percussive sound that gives you a nice groove while learning how to play fingerstyle guitar. So, you should consider adding this song to your music collection for fingerstyle guitar practices.
5. “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac
This is another notable fingerpicking classic that would make the top of most people’s lists of the best fingerstyle guitar songs in the last decade. Released in 1975 by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, the original recording features multiple guitar tracks that can’t be duplicated on just one guitar. But the live version, which has become the most popular and familiar version, is played on just one guitar. As a beginner looking forward to learning how to play fingerstyle guitar, I believe this song is definitely a good one to master.
6. “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas
Released in 1977 by American progressive rock band Kansas, this track is a masterpiece that is among the best fingerstyle guitar songs to master as a beginner. Remarkably, several notable guitarists have practiced a couple of fingerpicking techniques using this song. The song uses simple and sophisticated fingerstyle patterns, making it a good option when learning how to play fingerstyle guitar.
7. “Your Body Is a Wonderland” by John Mayer
John Mayer is a super-skilled player, particularly when it comes to fingerstyle techniques. This song, released in 2002, is one of his most popular hits. In this song, the artist used a drop-D tuning, and there’s an interesting interplay between the thumb and fingers with a moving bassline, which makes it unique from other fingerstyle guitar songs on this list. So, if you’re looking forward to learning how to play fingerstyle guitar effectively, consider practicing with this song to improve your fingerpicking skills.
8. “The Boxer” by Simon & Garfunkel
Released in 1970 by Simon & Garfunkel, “The Boxer” is one of the best fingerstyle guitar songs to master. Apart from being a popular song, it’s high on the list of songs guitarists aspire to fingerpick. That’s because the song offers a melodious tune coupled with simple yet sophisticated fingerpicking patterns on a fingerstyle guitar. So, adding this song to your music collection while learning how to play fingerstyle guitar is definitely a good option.
9. “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton
Released in 1992, “Tears In Heaven” is undoubtedly the most personal song that Eric Clapton has ever put out into the world. The legendary guitarist poured every ounce of sadness and soul into the song that he could muster. The song was born out of an unimaginably tragic accident involving his four-year-old son, Conor Clapton. If you're looking for an emotional song to flow with while learning how to play fingerstyle guitar, this song is worth considering as it's one of the best of the last decade.
10. “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin
The list of the best fingerstyle guitar songs to master would be incomplete without including this masterpiece by Led Zeppelin. Released in 1971, the success of this track has projected it to be covered by several notable guitarists. As a beginner looking forward to learning how to play fingerstyle guitar effectively, you can always practice with this song to test your skills. The song is based on a simple pattern on the fingerstyle guitar, so you can repeat the process throughout and remember how each chord is plucked easily.
Practice with these Fingerstyle Guitar Songs
Mastering fingerstyle guitar is an incredibly rewarding journey that opens up a world of expressive possibilities. The songs listed above are not only some of the best fingerstyle guitar pieces to practice with but also offer a diverse range of techniques and styles to help you grow as a guitarist. Whether you're drawn to the emotional depth of Eric Clapton’s "Tears in Heaven" or the rhythmic complexity of Led Zeppelin’s "Stairway to Heaven," each song presents a unique opportunity to refine your fingerpicking skills. Remember, the key to success is consistent practice and enjoying the learning process. So, pick up your guitar, choose a song from the list, and immerse yourself in the art of fingerstyle guitar. Happy playing!