Top 10 Easy Ed Sheeran Songs for Beginners (Guitar, Piano & Vocals)

Ed Sheeran is one of the most influential artists of today’s generation. There have been very few artists like him who have shaped the landscape of pop music culture. His soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics and diverse style have connected with millions around the world, and have inspired countless to pick up an instrument or start singing.  

We know how important it is for beginners to feel confident and excited about learning music. That’s why we have curated a list of the top 10 easy Ed Sheeran songs for beginners. So, whether you are learning guitar, piano or discovering your vocal abilities, these songs are perfect for you. Ed Sheeran’s songs are catchy and memorable; they use simple chords, accessible rhythms and relatable lyrics, making them ideal for anyone starting their musical journey with online music classes, online guitar lessons or vocal coaching. 

Why are Ed Sheeran’s Songs Perfect for Beginners?

Ever wondered what makes Ed Sheeran’s songs ideal to be played on guitar, piano or vocals? Well, there’s a specific reason his music resonates with people all over the world: 

• Easy chord progression
  Most tracks use basic chords like G, C, D, Em and Am. These chords are easy to play and are taught in most beginner guitar songs and piano lessons. 

• Repetitive, Easy-to-follow Rhythms
  The strumming patterns and tempos of these songs are easy and forgiving. It helps new players build confidence and muscle memory quickly. 

• Memorable, Singable Lyrics
  If you hear, most of Ed Sheeran’s songs are easy and perfect for beginner vocal songs. The lyrics are easy to remember, making practice sessions feel less like work and more like fun. 

• Acoustic Simplicity
  Even when arrangements are layered in studio versions, the acoustic core remains straightforward, exactly what beginner guitar songs should be. 

• Versatility Across Instruments
  The best thing about Ed Sheeran songs is that they work beautifully on guitar, piano and vocals, allowing learners to explore multiple paths within online music classes. 

So, whether you are an adult hobbyist, a parent seeking guitar classes for kids, or someone taking online guitar lessons for the first time, Ed Sheeran’s songs are a treasure trove of beginner-friendly material. 

Top 10 Easy Ed Sheeran Songs for Beginners

Now that you understand why Ed Sheeran’s music is perfect for beginners, let’s get down to why we are here. We’ll be exploring 10 easy Ed Sheeran songs that can help you shape your learning journey. 

You will notice that many of these songs are versatile and playable on multiple instruments, letting you deepen your understanding by learning them across different platforms. 

These songs are genuinely worth performing and sharing. As you progress through each one, you will build muscle memory, develop ear training and grow confident with every session. So without further ado, let us get right into it:

1. “Perfect”

Guitar: This ballad is set in the chords G, Em, C, and D. The song features a slow tempo and straightforward down-strumming, making it a favorite among beginners. Learn these guitar chords for beginners with this gentle introduction to chord transitions.

Piano: This song is easy to play on piano as it uses simple triads and broken-chord patterns. The repetitive left-hand pattern beautifully builds hand independence. 

Vocals: This song has a moderate vocal range and lyrical melody, which is necessary for beginner vocal songs. The emotional simplicity lets singers focus on breath control and phrasing without technical strain. 

2. “Shape of You”

Guitar: The original uses Em, C, G, and D. You can stick with this simplified approach. The percussive, rhythmic strumming teaches timing while keeping chord changes to a minimum. This is among the most popular Ed Sheeran songs to play on guitar.

Piano: This song features a repetitive pattern for both hands, making it one of the most accessible, easy pop songs on piano. The left-hand bass line stays consistent, letting beginners build confidence.

Vocals: Conversational verses with an unforgettable chorus. As a beginner, you will appreciate the rhythmic, speech-like delivery, reducing vocal strain while building presence.

3. “Photograph”

Guitar: This track uses G, D, Em and C with gentle, even strumming. This song represents Ed Sheeran’s acoustic guitar pieces for beginners. The spacing between chord changes gives the hands time to adjust.

Piano: Clean triads and a consistent rhythm provide an excellent foundation for piano lessons. The song’s minimal complexity lets learners focus on hand coordination.

Vocals: Clean articulation and a straightforward melodic line make this perfect for beginner vocal songs. Learners can concentrate on tone quality without worrying about range jumps.

4. “Castle on the Hill”

Guitar: This song is built on G, Em, C and D, with an energetic and driving strumming pattern. If you are learning beginner guitar songs, this is the perfect track. It teaches rhythm and builds endurance without being overly complex.

Piano: This song is one of the most exciting, easy pop pieces to play on piano, offering variety without added difficulty. The song has an upbeat, block-chord structure and fun, playful phrasing. 

Vocals: The song’s anthemic chorus and energetic verses give singers a practice in dynamic expression. Great for beginner vocal songs that build confidence in presence and projection. 

5. “Galway Girl”

Guitar: The track is mainly played in Em, G, D and Cadd 9. This is one of the popular beginner guitar songs. The song’s fast tempo challenges learners to maintain accuracy while also developing speed.

Piano: Brisk, bright chords with fun rhythmic accompaniment. Excellent for piano lessons where students want something more upbeat

Vocals: This is an ideal beginner vocal song that focuses on enunciation and maintaining rhythm through a narrative structure. It has a story-driven narrative with up-tempo energy.

6. “Thinking Out Loud”

Guitar: D, G, Em progression with an unhurried ballad tempo, perfect for learning Ed Sheeran guitar chords for beginners without rushing. The slower speed accommodates careful finger placement.

Piano: Soft, spacious dynamics with minimal chord movement. One of the gentler, easy pop songs on piano, ideal for those starting piano lessons. 

Vocals: A romantic, gentle delivery allows beginners to focus on phrasing and emotional connection. A classic for beginner vocal songs emphasizing expressiveness. 

7. “Lego House”

Ed Sheeran – Lego House [Official Music Video]

Guitar: Again, the common notes here are Em, C, G and D, the classic beginner chord set. This has been the steady, pop-oriented groove that has been forgiving for learners practicing transitions.

Piano: Sparse, atmospheric texture keeps things simple while maintaining musicality. Great for piano lessons emphasizing space and tone.

Vocals: Mellow verses and a catchy chorus make this a favorite in music classes. You won’t find beginner vocal songs.

8. “Afterglow”

Guitar: The song is played in G, Csus2, Dsus4 and Em7 chords, and has a relaxed, flowing feel. Think of it as a step up in Ed Sheeran guitar chords for beginners, introducing suspended chords gently. Excellent for fingerpicking introduction.

Piano: The songs’ broken chords and minimal movement teach learners effective hand independence. It’s a perfect song for piano lessons focusing on fluid transitions.

Vocals:  This track has a laid-back, expressive delivery, making it an ideal beginner vocal song where tone quality matters more than technical display.

9. “Shivers”

Guitar: Simple, repetitive shapes with a dance-like rhythm. Modern and fun for learners seeking beginner guitar songs beyond acoustic ballads.

Piano: On piano, this song has melodic sequences with lots of repetition. This song is one of the most energetic, easy piano pop songs for young learners. 

Vocals: This is a perfect beginner vocal song with contemporary pop appeal and high replay value. It also features many melodic sequences with heavy repetition.  

10. “The A Team”

Guitar: The song is played in chords G, D, Em and has a slow, intentional tempo. This song is considered one of the iconic Ed Sheeran songs for acoustic guitar beginners. The song’s haunting melody teaches emotional delivery.

Piano: On piano, the song has simple triads and gentle phrasing. A standout choice for piano lessons where learners want meaningful, not flashy, material.

Vocals: Haunting melody and subtle phrasing make this exceptional for beginner vocal songs. Singers learn a valuable lesson of restraint and how less can be more.

Tips to Learn Ed Sheeran Songs Faster

The following are some of the proven strategies from top music educators to help you learn Ed Sheeran songs faster: 

• Section-by-Section Mastery
  The best way to master a song is to go at it one note at a time. Break down the song’s sections into verse, chorus, and bridge, and master one section at a time before combining them. This is the structure followed in most online guitar and piano lessons. 
• Deliberate chord practice
  Spend more time on the chord transition. Build muscle memory by practicing slowly without rushing through the song. 
• Use a Capo
  A capo can help you simplify shapes and make learning guitar easier. This applies big-time to beginners trying to tackle Ed Sheeran guitar chords.  
• Sing & Play together
  Develop multitasking by blending vocals with instruments. This is especially valuable if you are practicing beginner vocal songs alongside guitar or piano.  
• Leverage Slow-Down Features
  Use technology to slow down recordings. Most online music classes and online guitar lessons platforms offer playback speed controls.  
• Consistent, Short Sessions
  It is always better to practice 15 mins daily consistently than to have one long weekly session. Being consistent builds habits and skills faster. 
• Record and Review
  Document your progress. Hear yourself to identify areas that need attention. This technique is used in professional piano lessons. 

Take It Further: Learn Like Ed!

If you are an Ed Sheeran fan, you will know that his journey did not begin in polished studios. It started in pubs, coffee shops and small venues. He built his foundation by playing simple songs, learning from every performance and letting each experience shape his artistry. His approach was simple; it combined guitar, vocals and piano with vulnerability and honesty. We believe this approach offers a perfect roadmap for modern learners. You too can mirror his path: 

• Start with easy pop songs or beginner guitar songs from the above list
• Improvise and add your personality to the arrangements. Ed’s magic partly comes from making songs uniquely his own
• Perform for others, be it friends, family or online audiences. Real feedback accelerates growth. 
• Keep learning. Ed Sheeran never stopped; neither should you. 

Begin Your Musical Adventure with Artium Academy

These Ed Sheeran songs for beginners are more than just catchy tunes; they are stepping stones to musical mastery. From mastering beginner guitar songs, exploring easy pop songs on piano or developing your voice through beginner western songs to sing, your journey starts with a single note. To begin your journey, Artium Academy is here to guide you through. 

Our online piano classes, online western vocal classes and guitar classes for kids are curated by Sonu Nigam, Louiz Banks and Raju Singh, respectively, who bring decades of expertise directly to learners worldwide. With us, you will learn alongside thousands of students, accessing structured courses, live feedback and a supportive community of aspiring musicians.  
Ready to transform these Ed Sheeran songs from dream to reality? Book a free trial class at Artium Academy today and discover how the right approach, the right songs and consistent practice can unlock your musical potential. Your journey to music excellence begins here.

Let’s make it special.