3-Chord Guitar Songs

Browse 3-chord guitar songs with chord diagrams, tabs, and playing guides for guitar, ukulele, and piano.

3-Chord Guitar Songs – Chord Charts & Tabs

Discover 100 songs that use 3 chords. Fewer chords means faster learning — each song below includes full chord diagrams, strumming patterns, and tabs for guitar, ukulele, piano, banjo, and mandolin.

GuitarUkulelePiano
Bmtap to play
Emtap to play
F#7tap to play

The Thrill Is Gone

B.B. King
Advanced
Add fingerpicking arpeggios for texture
GuitarUkulelePiano
Etap to play
Atap to play
Btap to play

Pride and Joy

Stevie Ray Vaughan
Advanced
Add fingerpicking arpeggios for texture
GuitarUkulelePiano
Dtap to play
Atap to play
Gtap to play

Soldier’s Joy

Traditional
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
One of the oldest and most-played fiddle tunes. Essential for mandolin, banjo, and fiddle players.
GuitarUkulelePiano
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Atap to play

Twist and Shout

The Beatles
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
Three chords of pure rock and roll energy. The Beatles made this Isley Brothers cover their own.
GuitarUkulelePiano
Dtap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play

Sweet Child O’ Mine

Guns N' Roses
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
Slash’s unforgettable intro riff and a powerful three-chord chorus. One of the greatest rock songs of all time.
GuitarUkulelePiano
Atap to play
Etap to play
Dtap to play

Cripple Creek

Traditional
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
The first song every banjo player learns. A driving bluegrass standard with three chords and a memorable melody.
GuitarUkulelePiano
Gtap to play
Emtap to play
Dtap to play

Foggy Mountain Breakdown

Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
Earl Scruggs’ banjo masterpiece. The song that defined the three-finger banjo picking style.
GuitarUkulelePiano
Atap to play
Dtap to play
Etap to play

Blitzkrieg Bop

Ramones
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
The punk anthem that launched a thousand bands. Three chords (often played as two alternating), maximum speed, pure energy.
GuitarUkulelePiano
Amtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play

Stay With Me

Sam Smith
Advanced
Add fingerpicking arpeggios for texture
Sam Smith’s breakthrough hit uses just three chords with a soulful gospel feel. Beautiful on piano, guitar, or ukulele.
GuitarUkulelePiano
E5tap to play
D5tap to play
A5tap to play

Back in Black

AC/DC
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
AC/DC’s comeback anthem with one of the greatest guitar riffs of all time. Three power chords, maximum attitude.