For teens who are starting to get into the guitar we have found that teaching the most recognizable parts of songs rather than going through entire pieces works best to quicken the learning curve.
Each of the songs below link to a tutorial video or sheet music and can generally be learned in a single session. With every riff and chord teens will build confidence, increase skill and grow a repertoire with their guitar to impress friends and family with!

At Toronto Arts Academy, our guitar lessons for teens in Toronto are designed to keep learning fresh and fun while building a strong musical foundation. We’ve helped hundreds of young players build confidence and discover their own musical style by starting with songs they love.
So grab your guitar, tune up, and get ready to dive into a playlist of beginner-friendly hits. Whether you’re into pop, rock, indie, or classic throwbacks, there’s something here that’s fun to learn, satisfying to play, and perfect for teens who are just getting started.
Easy Guitar Riffs That Use One String
If you’re brand new to guitar, one-string riffs are a perfect place to start. They let you focus on picking technique, rhythm, and ear training without worrying about complex finger positions or chord shapes. These simple but iconic riffs sound great and build the confidence you need to keep going—no music theory required.
- 7 Nation Army – The White Stripes
- You’ve Really Got Me Now – The Kinks
- Iron Man – Black Sabbath
- Old Town Road – Lil Nas X
Easy Guitar Riffs That Use Two Strings
Once you’ve mastered single-string riffs, adding a second string opens up a whole new world of sound. These easy two-string riffs are still simple enough for beginners but help you develop coordination between fingers and improve your picking accuracy. They’re a great next step for teen guitarists looking to level up without getting overwhelmed.
- The Next Episode (Thug Life Meme Song) – Dr. Dre
- Come As You Are – Nirvana
- Lose Yourself – Eminem
- Boys Don’t Cry – The Cure
Easy Guitar Riffs That Use Three Strings
Three-string riffs offer just the right amount of challenge for beginners ready to grow. They help you practice finger placement, string skipping, and smooth transitions—all while playing fun, recognizable riffs. These exercises build real control and set you up for more advanced lead guitar work later on.
- Zelda’s Lullaby – Zelda Ocarina Of Time
- Never Gonna Give You Up (Rick Roll Meme)- Rick Astley
- Come Together – The Beatles
- In My Place – Coldplay
Easy Guitar Songs That Use Three Chords
Three-chord songs are a classic starting point for beginner guitarists—and for good reason. With just a few basic open chords, you can play a huge number of popular tunes across all genres. These songs are great for building rhythm, improving chord changes, and getting comfortable strumming while keeping things simple and fun.
- Wild Thing – The Troggs
- Havanna – Camila Cabello
- Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
- Ring Of Fire – Johnny Cash
Easy Guitar Songs That Use Four Chords
Four chords are all it takes to unlock hundreds of your favorite songs. These easy guitar tunes use common progressions—like G, D, Em, and C—that repeat throughout the entire song, making them simple to learn and fun to play. They’re perfect for teens who want to sound great fast while building solid rhythm and chord-switching skills.
- Old Town Road – Lil Nas X
- Riptide – Vance Joy
- Perfect – Ed Sheeran
- 4 Chord Song – The Axis Of Awesome
Learning guitar as a teen should be exciting, not frustrating—and these 20 easy songs are designed to keep it that way. From one-string riffs to full chord progressions, each tune on this list helps you build real skills while playing music you actually enjoy. Whether you’re strumming along with friends, jamming at home, or performing at school, these songs will keep your progress fun, fast, and fulfilling.
Ready to level up your playing? Our teen guitar lessons in Toronto offer supportive teachers, personalized guidance, and modern music that speaks to your style. Join us and discover how fun learning guitar can really be.

Good luck and happy strumming!