If you're looking for easy songs to sing for beginners, this guide will help. Singing simple, one-octave songs isn’t just for beginners—it's a crucial tool for all singers, even advanced ones.
Why? Because when you’re practicing your singing and learning a new vocal skill—such as closing your vocal cords properly (which is essential for belting) - you need a song that’s easy enough to let you focus on technique rather than difficult jumps, high notes, or complex riffs.
This list of 30+ fun and simple pop, classical, and musical songs will help you develop control, confidence, and vocal precision—all while keeping things enjoyable.
Criteria of an easy song
What is an 'easy' song is often misunderstood. Many lists with easy songs have a range of well over an octave and/or big jumps. These songs might still be easy to remember - but they can be hard on your vocal cords, especially for beginners.
So here are my criteria of an easy song:
- A short range
- Few or no big jumps
- Not too slow nor too fast
- Catchy! If the song is catchy enough it might be easy enough to sing even if it doesn’t meet the other criteria.
- Not chromatic: so songs with notes that 'make sense' in the major or minor scale of the song. No 'odd' notes.
- No growling or screaming
(If you're unsure what songs suit your voice best, this is exactly what I help my students with in my singing programs. Whether you're just starting or want to refine your technique, I can help you find the right songs and vocal approach.)
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I help aspiring singers unlock their true voice and overcome performance anxiety, so they can finally enjoy the singing life they’ve postponed for too long.
Calls are popular and can be fully booked. In that case, shoot me a message in which you may detail your motivation and obstacles. You can also give me detailed insight in your situation by filling in this questionnaire. If I think we could be a match, I'll get back to you 🙂
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A starter's list of easy, fun songs
With my students I often use the following five songs with a short range: less than an octave. So if you're a beginner, or if you have vocal issues like a cold - which I had when I recorded below video - you don't have to worry about high or low notes. You can simply focus on the technique you want to practice.
Book an exploration call with me and get expert guidance on this topic
Super easy Pop/Rock songs with an extremely short range
All the below songs are under an octave, some have only three notes!
Song | Artist | Range (notes) |
|---|---|---|
Knockin' on heaven's door | Bob Dylan | 3 |
Sweet Home Alabama | Lynyrd Skynyrd | 3 |
Da Doo Run Run | The Crystals | 4 |
Losing my religion | REM | 4 |
sweet dreams | Eurythmics | 4/5 (keep the vocalizing parts in the same octave) |
only wanne be with you | Hootie and the Blowfish | 4/5 |
The roof is one fire | Bloodhound gang | 5 |
I want love | elton john | 5 |
bohemian like you | the dandy warhols | 5 (without the whoo hoo part) |
all the small things | blink 182 | 5 |
the times they are a'changing | bob dylan | 5 (don't do as Bob, but sing in the middle of your range, not the top 🙂 |
pure shores | all saints | 6 |
chasing cars | snow patrol | 6 |
This is the life | Amy MacDonald | 6 |
here comes the rain again | Eurythmics | 6 |
michel | anouk | 6 |
take my breath away | berlin | 6 |
mad world | gary jules | 6 |
californication | red hot chili peppers | 6 |
here comes the sun | the beatles | 6 (major/minor changes are hard) |
Back to black | amy winehouse | 7 |
Blowin' in the Wind | Bob Dylan | 7 |
One Octave pop/rock songs
One octave songs can be easy enough range-wise, to build new habits, to practice on, to learn new technique. As long as the other criteria listed in the beginning of this article are met - no big jumps, not chromatic. etc.
Here's a short list with one-octave songs that are good for practicing.
Song | Artist | range |
|---|---|---|
Karma Chameleon | Culture Club | 1 octave |
Hurt | Johnny Cash | 1 Octave |
Sing for you | Tracy Chapman | 1 Octave |
Banana pancakes | jack johnson | 1 octave |
A little help from my friends | The beatles | 1 octave |
Kiss me | Sixpence | 1 Octave |
I love Rock'n'Roll | Joan Jett & The Blackhearts | 1 Octave |
Wonderwall | Oasis | 1 Octave |
And find out why you're closer to being a great singer than you think
Easy traditional songs
Traditionals are quite often within one octave and relatively easy to sing. Otherwise they would not have survived the ages!
Song | range |
|---|---|
hush little baby | 7 notes |
Michael row the boat ashore | 6 notes |
Kumbaya my lord | 6 notes |
mary had a little lamb | 5 notes |
Oh susanna | 6 notes |
My Bonnie lies over the ocean | 1 octave |
Amazing grace | 1 octave |
Down in the valley | 1 octave |
Row row row your boat | 1 octave |
How to sing any easy song – even if it was meant for another voice type
It can be tricky to sing a karaoke song that is originally sung by a woman if you are a man - and vice versa. Sometimes the song is just too low or too high, regardless of the gender of the original singer.
For example, if you're a bariton and they're tenor (This is why working with a vocal coach can make all the difference. If you're unsure how to adjust a song to fit your voice, I can help you find the right key and vocal placement to make it sound natural and effortless.).
That doesn't mean you can't sing the songs. You can make it easy. Two hacks:
- Go on YouTube and type: '[name of the song] + karaoke + female/male version'. Or '[name of song] + karaoke lower / higher key'.
- Use software that changes the key of a song. Karafun and MagicSing do that (see my review of karaoke apps). Second option: x-minus.pro. A website that is free. Another great app for this is Moises.
Which key is best for you? Check with your teacher.
Simple Classical Songs up to One Octave Ideal for Practice
Below classical songs are sometimes not easy to remember - but at least the range is short.
Are you curious more short range classical songs of under an octave? I have more in my program (I'm a trained opera singer myself, so if you're interested in learning opera/classical, I'm your gal).
Song | composer | book/piece | range |
|---|---|---|---|
o cessate di piagarmi | scarlatti | 28 italian songs and arias | 7 notes (melody chromatic and bit difficult) |
nun wandre maria | wolf | 6 | |
delizie contente | cavalli | 28 Italian Songs And Arias | 7 (long, might be hard to memorize. Chromatic. But beautiful!) |
o leggiardi occhi belli | anonymous, 17th century | 28 Italian Songs And Arias | 7 (Long, Might Be Hard To Memorize. Chromatic. But Beautiful!) |
der gärtner | wolf | 7 | |
die ihr schwebet | wolf | 7 (difficult melody) | |
die forelle | schubert | 7 (B section extends song over octave, but still relatively simple | |
alma del core | caldara | 28 Italian Songs And Arias | 7 |
Easy Musical Songs to Start With for Vocal Control
I'm a big musical theater fan. In fact, I conduct two musical choirs, in Amsterdam and Utrecht. Below musical songs are within the range of one octave.
Want to get more short range musical songs of under an octave? Check out my program From Whisper to Roar. I also have a list of jazz/soul songs.
My musical theater choir The Merry Poppins
Song | musical | range |
|---|---|---|
Edelweiss | the sound of music | 7 notes |
stay awake | merry poppins | 7 notes |
all that jazz | chicago | 1 octave |
Do re mi | the sound of music | 1 octave (some jumps but catchiness makes up for that) |
Part of Your World | The Little Mermaid | 1 Octave |
I teach singing online
Can you afford waiting any longer following your singing dream?
Calls are popular and can be fully booked. In that case, shoot me a message in which you may detail your motivation and obstacles.
You can also give me detailed insight in your situation by filling in this questionnaire. If I think we could be a match, I'll get back to you 🙂
You may also sign up for my mailing list.
Easy Songs to Help You Sing in Tune - Ideal for Early Stages
When you want to learn how to sing in tune, you want to stay in your lane. You want to focus and train your mind to control the vocal cords. Fewer notes in a song makes this easier.
Also, sometimes the out-of-tune singing is a vocal cord issue: they don't have the range. So it's not a mental thing, and that's were the short range songs come in handy.
The five easy songs I use most often in my singing coaching are:
- Wind of change by The Scorpions: 7 note range
- Hotel California by The Eagles: 7 notes
- Michel by Anouk: 6 notes
- Take my breath away by Berlin: 6 notes
- I want love by Elton John: 5 notes
If you have any issues with singing in tune - either on an occasional note here and there, or it's a core problem - here's what you do:
Go to my article on how to sing in tune, learn what you have to do to work on it, and when it comes to working on a song - definitely choose an easy song. Don't sing difficult songs in the beginning, just don't go there.
Again, you are building a skill, in this case, singing in tune. So focus.
Tips for Practicing Easy Songs Effectively
- Unless you know the original key of a song suits you - try to sing without the original recording. Rather start singing where it’s comfortable for you.
- Another important tip: you know it's an easy song if you can singing while feeling little to no strain in your throat. If strain is something you struggle with constantly, my above easy songs video is your place to start. Choose the song that bothers you the least.
I also made a formula to learn a song. It partly depends on which type of learner you are.
If you feel like you're struggling to find that 'comfortable' place, I can help you. Many students make rapid progress once they learn how to sing in a way that fits their natural voice.
What is your favorite Easy Song?
Let me know in the comments what song you would want me to add in this list.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Some of the easiest pop songs include Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan), Sweet Home Alabama (Lynyrd Skynyrd), and Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol). These songs have simple melodies and small vocal ranges, making them great for beginners.
An easy song has a short vocal range, few big jumps, a moderate tempo, and a catchy melody. Avoid songs with high notes, fast lyrics, or complicated riffs when starting out.
A song is a good fit if you can sing it comfortably without strain. If it feels too high or too low, try singing in a different key or choosing a song with a smaller vocal range.
Yes! You can transpose songs to a key that suits your voice. Many karaoke tracks and apps allow key adjustments so you can sing songs originally written for different voice types.
Start by focusing on vocal technique rather than range. Use easy songs to practice breath control, pitch accuracy, and vocal strength before moving on to harder material.
Now that you have your song - how can you sing it better?
Well, you can probably use some vocal technique, and there's nothing like an easy song to practice new technique with. There are even shorter range songs.
Where to start? In my training programs, I hunt for the vocal exercises that work best for you.
Do you allow praise and worship songs to be sung and taught ? That’s all I sing.
I suppose you mean if I would consider praise and workship songs to function as easy songs. That depends on the individual song. And I gave a few standards in the beginning of the article as to what makes a song easy and suitable to begin with (or learn a new technique with). So short range, not many jumps in the melody, etc. If the songs you sing answer those criteria – they can be your easy song!
BTW, if you’re not sure, I could have a listen to a song or two for you to determine this. I’ll do it for the price of stealing the song to my list here, if it passes the test lol
I think you’re a great teacher from how I see you work with that girl
Thanks Clayton, I appreciate that. Do you mean how I worked with Helena? It was a great lesson. Anyway, which song are you going to choose to work on?