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.

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

The Irish Washerwoman arranged as a lively trio for beginners by Jennifer Eklund. This is a fun spin on a familiar melody and 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.

Zum Gali Gali, a traditional Israeli folk tune, presented in four different versions, appropriate for primers through late beginners. Arranged by Jennifer Eklund.

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.

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.

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

Recuerdos de la Alhambra, originally written for classical guitar by Francisco Tárrega, arranged for piano by Debbie Center. This is a lovely Spanish-style showstopper for any occasion!

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

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!

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.

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.

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.”

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

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.

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.

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