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
Ebtap to play
Bbmtap to play
Fmtap to play

Clocks

Coldplay
Advanced
Add fingerpicking arpeggios for texture
Coldplay’s iconic piano riff is instantly recognizable. Three chords in a repeating arpeggio pattern.
GuitarUkulelePiano
Etap to play
Atap to play
B7tap to play

Folsom Prison Blues

Johnny Cash
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
Johnny Cash’s classic outlaw country anthem. Three chords with a boom-chicka-boom train beat.
GuitarUkulelePiano
D5tap to play
Bb5tap to play
F5tap to play

Killing in the Name

Rage Against the Machine
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
Drop-D power chord mayhem from Rage Against the Machine. The riff is iconic and surprisingly accessible.
GuitarUkulelePiano
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Ftap to play

Have You Ever Seen the Rain

Creedence Clearwater Revival
Advanced
Add fingerpicking arpeggios for texture
A Creedence classic with an irresistible groove. Three open chords and a swinging rhythm create one of the most satisfying…
GuitarUkulelePiano
Atap to play
Dtap to play
Etap to play

Three Little Birds

Bob Marley
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
Bob Marley’s joyful reggae anthem is sunshine in song form. Three major chords and a laid-back island groove create instant…
GuitarUkulelePiano
G5tap to play
Bb5tap to play
C5tap to play

Smoke on the Water

Deep Purple
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
The most famous guitar riff in history. Deep Purple’s rock anthem is usually the first thing every guitarist learns. Three…
GuitarUkulelePiano
Ctap to play
Ftap to play
Gtap to play

You Are My Sunshine

Traditional
Advanced
Add fingerpicking arpeggios for texture
The ultimate first ukulele song. Three chords, a universally known melody, and a tempo slow enough that even brand-new players…
GuitarUkulelePiano
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play

Amazing Grace

Traditional
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
The most recognized hymn in the English language, and often the first worship song guitarists learn. Three chords, a waltz-time…
GuitarUkulelePiano
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play

Jingle Bells

Traditional
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
The most recognized holiday song in the world, and a perfect beginner guitar song. Three chords and a simple melody…
GuitarUkulelePiano
Gtap to play
Dtap to play
Ctap to play

Silent Night

Traditional
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
The most beloved Christmas carol, gentle and reverent in 3/4 waltz time. Three chords and a peaceful melody create a…