Looking to play some easy Ed Sheeran songs on your guitar but don’t know where to start? You’re in the right place!
Ed’s music is known for its catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics, but the best part is that many of his songs are surprisingly easy to play.
Whether you’re a beginner or just looking for some fun, straightforward songs to add to your playlist, this list has you covered.
25 Easy Ed Sheeran Songs (Video Lessons With Chords)
1. Shape of You
“Shape of You” is one of Ed Sheeran’s most recognizable hits, and it’s surprisingly easy to play.
The song revolves around a simple four-chord progression, and the rhythm is key here, with a steady strumming pattern that gives the song its catchy vibe.
Focus on getting the strumming smooth and consistent. It’s a great song for beginners who want to work on their timing while playing something instantly recognizable.
2. Perfect
“Perfect” is a beautiful ballad that’s ideal for beginner guitarists. The chords are straightforward, and the trick here is in the fingerpicking pattern that runs through the verses, giving the song its intimate feel.
Start slow and gradually increase your speed as you get more comfortable with the finger movements. This song is perfect for practicing your fingerpicking technique and improving your overall dexterity on the fretboard.
3. Photograph
“Photograph” is another heartfelt tune that’s easy to pick up. The song uses a simple chord progression that repeats throughout, making it perfect for beginners. The fingerpicking in the intro and verses is a great exercise for those looking to develop their picking skills.
With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to play this beautiful song with ease, capturing the emotional depth of Ed’s lyrics.
4. Thinking Out Loud
“Thinking Out Loud” is a romantic classic that’s fun to play and sounds great on an acoustic guitar. The rhythm is slow and steady, making it accessible even for those just starting out. The song features a mix of strumming and fingerpicking, which helps build coordination between both hands.
Plus, it’s a fantastic song to add to your repertoire if you want to impress someone with a smooth, soulful tune.
5. Castle on the Hill
“Castle on the Hill” is a more energetic song that’s perfect for practicing your strumming skills. The song’s upbeat tempo and driving rhythm make it a lot of fun to play, and it’s a great way to work on maintaining consistent strumming patterns.
This track is ideal for beginners looking to build confidence in playing more rhythmically challenging songs while still sticking to easy chords.
6. I See Fire
“I See Fire” has a haunting melody and is a bit more challenging with its fingerpicking pattern, but it’s worth the effort. The song is great for improving your fingerpicking accuracy and speed.
The repetitive nature of the picking pattern makes it easier to memorize, and once you’ve got it down, it’s incredibly satisfying to play. The song’s moody vibe is perfect for those quiet, reflective moments.
7. Lego House
“Lego House” is an easy-going track that’s perfect for beginners. It has a simple chord progression and a straightforward strumming pattern, making it a breeze to learn.
The melody is catchy and uplifting, making it a fun song to sing along to as you play. It’s also a great song for practicing chord changes, as the tempo allows you to transition between chords at a comfortable pace.
8. The A Team
“The A Team” is one of Ed Sheeran’s early hits and a fan favorite. The song features gentle fingerpicking and a mellow tempo, making it a great practice piece for those new to fingerstyle playing.
The repetitive picking pattern is easy to grasp, and it helps build muscle memory. The lyrics are powerful, and combining them with the soft guitar makes for a deeply moving performance.
9. Drunk
“Drunk” is a laid-back song that’s perfect for jamming. It has a catchy rhythm and a straightforward structure, making it easy to play from start to finish. The strumming pattern is simple yet engaging, allowing you to focus on adding your own style to the performance.
It’s a great song for beginners who want to start experimenting with dynamics and playing with more expression.
10. Tenerife Sea
“Tenerife Sea” is a beautiful ballad that combines simple chords with delicate fingerpicking. The song’s slow tempo and gentle melody make it a pleasure to play, and it’s perfect for practicing your fingerpicking technique.
The song’s romantic feel and smooth transitions between chords create a soothing atmosphere that’s perfect for unwinding with your guitar.
11. All of the Stars
“All of the Stars” is a heartfelt ballad that’s both easy and rewarding to play. The song’s simple structure allows beginners to focus on getting comfortable with the rhythm and chords.
It’s a great choice for those looking to develop a more expressive playing style, as the song’s slower tempo gives you plenty of room to experiment with dynamics and tone.
12. Dive
“Dive” has a bluesy feel that’s fun to play and a bit different from some of Ed’s other tracks. The song features a mix of fingerpicking and strumming, making it a great piece for those looking to challenge themselves a bit more.
The rhythm is catchy and the chord progression is straightforward, making it an excellent song for practicing transitions between fingerpicking and strumming.
13. Bloodstream
“Bloodstream” is a powerful song that builds intensity throughout. It’s a great song for practicing your strumming, as the rhythm gradually becomes more complex as the song progresses.
The chord progression is easy to grasp, making it accessible even to beginners. This song is perfect for those who want to work on building energy and emotion in their playing.
14. One
“One” is a soft, introspective song that’s perfect for practicing fingerpicking. The gentle picking pattern is simple enough for beginners, yet it sounds beautiful when played smoothly.
The song’s slow tempo and minimalistic arrangement allow you to focus on developing your fingerstyle technique while also working on your ability to play with emotion and nuance.
15. Give Me Love
“Give Me Love” is a dynamic song that combines strumming and fingerpicking to create a rich, layered sound. The song’s moderate tempo makes it accessible to beginners, while the combination of techniques gives you a chance to practice coordinating both hands. It’s a powerful song that’s great for working on building intensity and emotion in your playing.
16. Happier
“Happier” is a melancholy tune that’s perfect for practicing your strumming. The song’s slow, steady rhythm is easy to follow, making it a great choice for beginners who are still getting comfortable with switching between chords.
The simplicity of the song allows you to focus on playing with feeling, making it a great piece for working on your expressive playing.
17. Kiss Me
“Kiss Me” is a romantic ballad with a gentle fingerpicking pattern that’s easy to learn. The song’s slow tempo and straightforward structure make it perfect for beginners who are just starting to explore fingerstyle playing.
The repetition in the picking pattern helps build muscle memory, and the song’s emotional depth makes it a rewarding piece to play.
18. Nina
“Nina” is a fun, upbeat song that’s great for practicing your strumming. The rhythm is catchy and the chord progression is simple, making it easy to pick up and play along.
This song is perfect for beginners who want to work on their timing and rhythm while playing something that’s energetic and engaging.
19. Runaway
“Runaway” is a lively track that’s perfect for working on your rhythm guitar skills. The song’s fast tempo and driving strumming pattern make it a bit more challenging, but it’s a great way to push yourself and improve your timing. The song is fun to play and has a great energy that makes it a fantastic addition to any setlist.
20. Sing
“Sing” is a rhythmic, funky tune that’s all about the groove. The song’s percussive strumming pattern is a great exercise for developing your rhythm guitar skills.
It’s a bit different from Ed’s more acoustic-focused songs, giving you a chance to explore a different side of his music. This song is perfect for beginners who want to add a bit of funk to their playing.
21. Small Bump
“Small Bump” is a tender song with a simple yet beautiful fingerpicking pattern. The song’s gentle melody and straightforward structure make it accessible to beginners, while the emotional weight of the lyrics adds depth to your playing. It’s a great song for practicing fingerpicking and playing with feeling.
22. Supermarket Flowers
“Supermarket Flowers” is a heartfelt ballad that’s perfect for beginners. The song’s slow tempo and simple chord progression make it easy to learn, while the emotional content of the lyrics gives you plenty of opportunities to play with expression.
This song is a great choice for those looking to improve their strumming while also working on their ability to convey emotion through their playing.
23. Tenerife Sea
“Tenerife Sea” is a beautiful ballad that combines simple chords with delicate fingerpicking. The song’s slow tempo and gentle melody make it a pleasure to play, and it’s perfect for practicing your fingerpicking technique.
The song’s romantic feel and smooth transitions between chords create a soothing atmosphere that’s perfect for unwinding with your guitar.
24. Wake Me Up
“Wake Me Up” is a sweet, laid-back tune that’s easy to play. The song’s simple chord progression and relaxed strumming pattern make it accessible to beginners.
The melody is catchy and the lyrics are heartfelt, making it a great song to sing along to as you play. It’s a perfect choice for beginners looking for a song that’s fun and easy to learn.
25. You Need Me, I Don’t Need You
“You Need Me, I Don’t Need You” is a more rhythmically challenging song, but it’s a great way to push your skills. The song’s fast tempo and percussive strumming pattern require good timing and coordination, making it a fun challenge for beginners looking to step up their game.
It’s a great song to practice if you want to work on your rhythm guitar skills and develop a more confident playing style.
FAQ
1. Are these Ed Sheeran songs suitable for absolute beginners?
- Yes, all the songs listed are beginner-friendly. They feature simple chord progressions and basic strumming or fingerpicking patterns that are easy to pick up, making them perfect for those just starting out.
2. Do I need to know how to fingerpick to play these songs?
- Not necessarily. While some songs do involve fingerpicking, many can be played with simple strumming patterns. If you’re new to fingerpicking, songs like „Perfect” and „Photograph” offer a great way to start practicing this technique.
3. Can I play these songs on an electric guitar, or do they require an acoustic?
- You can play these songs on either an acoustic or electric guitar. While they may have a different sound depending on the guitar you use, the chord progressions and techniques are the same.
4. How long will it take to learn one of these songs?
- It varies depending on your skill level, but most beginners can learn the basics of a song in an hour or two. With regular practice, you’ll be able to play them smoothly in a few days.
5. Do these songs require any special tuning?
- No, all the songs listed are played in standard tuning. This makes them accessible and easy to pick up without needing to adjust your guitar’s tuning.
6. Is it necessary to learn all the chords to play these songs?
- While knowing a variety of chords can be helpful, each song typically uses just a few basic chords. You can focus on learning the specific chords required for each song, which are usually simple and commonly used in many other songs.
7. Are the lessons for these songs free to access?
- Yes, the lessons linked in the article are available online, making it easy to follow along and learn each song at your own pace.
8. Can I sing along while playing these songs?
- Absolutely! Many of these songs are perfect for singing along. The chord progressions are simple enough to allow you to focus on both your playing and your vocals, making for a great all-around practice session.
Final Thoughts
Ed Sheeran’s music has a way of resonating with people, and these songs are a great way to connect with his style on the guitar.
Whether you’re new to playing or just looking for some fun, easy songs to add to your repertoire, these tracks offer a perfect mix of challenge and reward.
