Folk Music for Easy Classical Guitar (Standard Notation & Tablature)

Enjoy playing your favorite familiar tunes with this carefully curated collection of thirty folk songs, skillfully arranged for easy classical guitar by Amy Hite. Unlike other arrangements claiming to be beginner-friendly, this collection is truly tailored for novice guitarists, ensuring an enjoyable playing experience.

These arrangements are well-suited for beginning guitarists as many of the melodies are harmonized with open bass notes and chords that are easy enough for the hands of a beginner student. They are colorful and fun to play! Written in standard notation format.

Turkish Delight is a piano solo version of Uskudara gideriken, a traditional Turkish folk song and is part of Spotlight Solos Volume 2. Arranged by Jennifer Eklund.

Wellerman, a traditional 19th-century sea shanty from New Zealand, arranged for late beginners by Jennifer Eklund. Includes two versions to aide students in the learning process.

Mexican Folk Medley combines two popular Mexican folk tunes into a fun medley for early intermediates. Music arranged by Jennifer Eklund and part of Piano Pronto: Movement 5.

Starboard Shanty, composed by Joanne Griffiths, is an upbeat minor-key shanty ideal for beginners of all ages.

Zum Gali Gali, a traditional Israeli folk tune, arranged as a lively trio for beginners by Jennifer Eklund. This piece serves as a great introduction to easy collaborative playing and will also be effective in group piano settings with multiple keyboards. Purchase includes separated parts and a full conductors score.

Note: If you are interested in even more versions of this piece consider the Zum Gali Gali Mega Pack that features five solo versions, a trio for beginners, and transposition worksheets.

The Skye Boat Song, a traditional Scottish folk song, arranged by Jane Tate in a lyrical style for early intermediates.

Spanish Ladies is a traditional sea shanty arranged here as an evenly-leveled duet for late beginners by Jennifer Eklund.

Grandpa’s Jig is a lively showcase solo for beginners that serves as an excellent introduction to playing in 6/8 time. This piece by Joanne Griffiths is part of her songbook entitled “Meet the Pilburys.”

The Zum Gali Gali mega-pack includes a plethora of solos and activities for beginners of all ages. This pack includes five solo versions for primers through late beginners, a piano trio for beginners, and a set of transposition worksheets. Music and materials by Jennifer Eklund.

Skye Boat Song, a traditional Scottish classic, arranged in a lyrical style for intermediates by Jennifer Eklund.

Scarborough Fair arranged as an easy solo with a haunting teacher duet part. Ideal for beginners and late beginners of all ages. Music by Jennifer Eklund.

Bunessan, a traditional Scottish melody also known as Morning Has Broken, arranged for intermediate violinists of all ages. Lush teacher accompaniment included making this selection ideal for recitals and other performance opportunities.

Zum Gali Gali is an evenly-leveled showcase duet for beginners, arranged by Robyn Fehrenbacher. This lively traditional folk tune is sure to add fun to lessons and recitals!

This worksheet packet is a great launching point for students to learn about transposition and proper handwriting skills. After learning a base version of “Zum Gali Gali” in the key of D minor, they have the opportunity to notate the piece in two alternate tonal centers: E minor and A minor. Answer guides are included.

Note: If you are interested in multi-level versions of this piece consider the Zum Gali Gali Mega Pack that features five solo versions, a trio for beginners, and transposition worksheets.

Spanish Ladies is a traditional sea shanty arranged here for late beginners by Jennifer Eklund.

Star of the County Down, a traditional Irish ballad, arranged for late beginners by Jennifer Eklund.

The Irish Washerwoman, a traditional Irish favorite, arranged for primer level students by Jennifer Eklund. Includes an upbeat, contemporary teacher accompaniment. Part of the Piano Pronto: Keyboard Kickoff method book.