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.

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

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, arranged by Jennifer Eklund, in a contemporary lyrical style for early intermediates. This solo provides ample opportunity to work on interpretation, rubato, and lyrical artistry.

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.

Inspired by her childhood years in Duns, Scotland, composer Jane Tate offers up Celtic-inspired solos for late beginners and early intermediates of all ages. The sound of distant pipe bands and romping Celtic rhythms permeate through this collection of ten piano solos.

El Choclo is a fun and impressive tango arranged for intermediate piano solo by Piano Pronto author Jennifer Eklund.

Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms, arranged by Jennifer Eklund, in a contemporary lyrical style for early intermediates. This solo provides ample opportunity to work on interpretation, rubato, and lyrical artistry.

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, a traditional Israeli folk tune, arranged by Jennifer Eklund as a fast and flashy solo for late beginners.

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.

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

Bunessan, a traditional Gaelic melody, artfully arranged by Kevin Costley for intermediates of all ages. This piece is part of the Hymns of Joy sacred songbook.

Shoreside Shanty, composed by Joanne Griffiths, is a lively swinging shanty sure to delight late beginners of all ages!

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.”

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.

The Scottish Reivers were gangs of horsemen who raided the towns along the border of England and Scotland from the 13th to the 17th century. They were master riders and were revered across the land. Each year the town of Duns in Scotland has a festival to celebrate the Reivers. This showcase solo for beginners is inspired by my many childhoods dancing in the town’s Market Square waiting to see the riders come through!

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.

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.