Easy Elvis Guitar Songs
Step-by-Step Acoustic Lessons
This collection features six acoustic-friendly Elvis Presley songs that focus on rhythm, accompaniment, and vocal support.
From the bluesy groove of A Mess Of Blues to the emotional storytelling of In The Ghetto and the inspirational message of If I Can Dream, these arrangements are designed to help players develop confidence while performing some of Elvis's most memorable recordings.
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Note: Every arrangement has been personally created, recorded and taught by Kirby
using teaching methods refined through decades of acoustic guitar instruction.
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🎸 New To Elvis?
Start with A Mess Of Blues, Doin' The Best I Can, or The Girl Of My Best Friend. These lessons use straightforward chord progressions, familiar strumming patterns, and capture the classic Elvis sound without requiring lead guitar work. Once you're comfortable with those songs, move on to How's The World Treating You, In The Ghetto, and If I Can Dream, where you'll encounter more chord changes, dynamics, and song structure challenges.
Skill Level
Most lessons on this page are suitable for beginner to early intermediate guitar players. The focus is on rhythm guitar, chord changes, and singing along rather than complex lead work. While some songs introduce additional chords, key changes, or more advanced strumming techniques, none require extended solos or difficult fingerstyle arrangements.
Suggested Learning Path
- A Mess Of Blues – Simple structure with no lead work and a great introduction to Elvis rhythm playing.
- Doin' The Best I Can – Easy chord changes with a small hammer-on embellishment.
- The Girl Of My Best Friend – Introduces a few additional chord shapes while remaining very manageable.
- How's The World Treating You – More chord movement and timing awareness.
- In The Ghetto – Requires stronger rhythm control and confidence through longer song sections.
- If I Can Dream – The most challenging lesson on this page due to the larger chord vocabulary, dynamics, and key change.
Following this order allows players to gradually build confidence while learning songs from different stages of Elvis Presley's career.
Elvis Presley Guitar Lessons Included On This Page
Doin' The Best I Can Guitar Lesson
How's The World Treating You Guitar Lesson
If I Can Dream Guitar Lesson
In The Ghetto Guitar Lesson
The Girl Of My Best Friend Guitar Lesson
A Mess Of Blues
- Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
A Mess of Blues was recorded by Elvis Presley during the sessions for his 1960 album Elvis Is Back!, marking his return to the recording studio following military service in Germany. Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, the song was released as a single in July 1960 and became a Top 40 hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Built around a lively rock and roll groove with touches of rhythm and blues, the recording showcases the renewed energy and confidence that defined Elvis's post-army comeback period.
The lyrics tell the story of a man hopelessly lovestruck and unable to think about anything but the woman who has captured his heart. With its infectious rhythm, memorable melody, and spirited vocal performance, A Mess of Blues remains one of the standout tracks from the Elvis Is Back! era. 1960s.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
A Mess Of Blues is played with a capo on the 3rd fret and can be performed in either standard or Drop D tuning. My version uses Drop D because it helps bring out the low-end groove of the song, especially when playing the D chord and its accompanying hammer-ons. The arrangement is built around just three chords — A, D and E — making it very approachable for newer players. There is no lead section to learn, only a simple ending riff used to finish the song.
The rhythm is where the character of the song comes alive. You can play a steady down-stroke pattern throughout, adding hammer-ons to create the bluesy rock and roll feel, or use a basic down-up-down-up strum if you prefer. During the choruses, I switch to a quicker shuffle-style rhythm to add a little extra energy, but this is completely optional.
Since the groove comes primarily from the hammer-ons rather than the strumming pattern itself, beginners can comfortably use a single rhythm pattern for the entire song and still capture the feel of the original recording. I'd rate this lesson as beginner friendly, making it a great introduction to Elvis's bluesy rock and roll style.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Doin The Best I Can
- Learn To Play On
Acoustic
Guitar
Doin' the Best I Can appeared on Elvis Presley's 1960 comeback album Elvis Is Back!, a release that showcased a more mature and confident artist following his return from military service. Blending elements of rock and pop, the song features a relaxed mid-tempo arrangement that allows Elvis's smooth vocal delivery to take center stage.
The lyrics focus on a man trying to hold a relationship together despite mistakes and misunderstandings, creating a theme that many listeners could relate to. While it was never one of Elvis's biggest chart hits, the track remains a favourite among fans of the Elvis Is Back! sessions, an album often praised as one of the strongest recordings of his career.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
Doin' The Best I Can is played in standard tuning and uses two straightforward rhythm patterns that make this a very approachable Elvis ballad for newer players. The chord progression consists of G, G7, C, D, D7, A7, and Am, with no lead guitar work to worry about. The first rhythm pattern follows a simple root up down up approach that repeats throughout most of the song, while the second uses a root note followed by a down strum to create a fuller accompaniment during selected sections.
To add a little movement to the arrangement, I incorporate a few simple bass runs between chord changes, helping the song flow smoothly without making it overly complicated. Since there are no riffs or lead breaks, the focus is on maintaining a steady rhythm and supporting the vocal. I'd rate this lesson as beginner friendly, making it a great choice for players looking to develop their chord transitions, rhythm control, and accompaniment skills while learning a classic Elvis ballad. Practice the chord changes first, then work on both rhythm patterns before adding the bass runs to give the arrangement a little extra character.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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How's The World Treating You
- Learn To Play On
Acoustic
Guitar
How's the World Treating You brought one of country music's most respected songs into Elvis Presley's catalog when it appeared on his 1962 album Pot Luck. Unlike many of his better-known rock and roll recordings, this gentle ballad allowed Elvis to showcase a softer and more reflective side of his voice.
The lyrics tell the story of a lost love, with the singer wondering how life has treated someone who has moved on. Drawing on the song's country roots, Elvis delivered the performance with warmth, sincerity, and emotional restraint rather than vocal power.
Although it was never released as a single, the track remains a favourite among fans who appreciate the country influences that appeared throughout many of Elvis's recordings during the 1960s.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
How's The World Treating You is played in standard tuning using a relaxed country ballad rhythm built around a root up down up bass up down up pattern. The arrangement uses just four chords — C, G, F, and C7 — making it very approachable for newer players while still capturing the warm country feel of the original recording. Throughout the song, a few simple bass runs are blended into the chord changes to help connect the progression and give the accompaniment a fuller sound.
There is no extensive lead work to learn, but the lesson does include a short instrumental break that combines hammer-ons and a simple riff as the song moves from F back to C and over to G. The main focus is on maintaining a steady rhythm, supporting the vocal, and allowing the chord progression to carry the melody. I'd rate this lesson as beginner friendly because the chord shapes are straightforward, the tempo is relaxed, and the guitar part remains supportive rather than busy.
Start by learning the rhythm pattern and chord changes, then add the bass runs and short riff before combining everything with the vocal.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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If I Can Dream
- Learn To Play On
Acoustic
Guitar
If I Can Dream emerged from Elvis Presley's landmark 1968 comeback period and quickly became one of the most powerful performances of his career. Inspired by the social unrest of the era, the song delivers a message of hope, unity, and a belief that a better future is possible.
Its dramatic orchestral arrangement and emotionally charged vocal helped the single reach #12 in the United States, #11 in the United Kingdom, and #2 in Australia. Introduced during the famous '68 Comeback Special, the performance reminded audiences of Elvis's ability to connect with listeners on a deeper level.
More than fifty years later, If I Can Dream remains one of the most inspiring and enduring recordings in his catalog.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
If I Can Dream is played in standard tuning using a steady down down up down up down down rhythm pattern that works throughout the song. While there is no lead guitar to learn, the arrangement does include a few simple bass runs and accents to help support the vocal and add movement between chord changes. The biggest challenge comes from the number of chords used and a key change that moves the song from C major to D major during the second half of the arrangement.
The chord progression includes C, Am, F, G, Dm, C7, E7, Em, Adim, G6, D7, D, Bm, A7, Ddim, A7sus, Gsus, and Gm. Although that may seem like a long list, most of the chord shapes are straightforward and are used to support the dramatic build of the song rather than create difficult guitar passages. The only less common shapes are Adim and Ddim, but both are relatively easy to learn once you become familiar with the fingering.
I'd rate this lesson as beginner friendly suitable for players who are comfortable learning several new chord shapes as the focus is on learning the chord progression, maintaining a steady rhythm, and delivering the vocal performance with confidence. Once the chords and key change feel comfortable, the rest of the song falls into place naturally.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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In The Ghetto
- Learn To Play On
Acoustic
Guitar
In the Ghetto became one of Elvis Presley's most significant late-career hits when it was released in 1969. Written by Mac Davis, the song tells the story of a boy born into poverty and the cycle of hardship that shapes his life.
Departing from the romantic themes found in many of Elvis's earlier recordings, it tackled social issues and urban poverty with unusual honesty and compassion. The single reached the Top 10 in several countries and helped re-establish Elvis as a major recording artist following his 1968 comeback.
Combining elements of soul, pop, and gospel, In the Ghetto remains one of the most respected and thought-provoking performances in his catalog.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
In The Ghetto is played with a capo on the 3rd fret and focuses on creating the smooth, flowing feel that drives the song. There is no lead guitar to learn, but the arrangement relies heavily on a clever chord movement between G and C/G that gives the progression its distinctive sound. To make this transition work properly, it's important to play the G chord using the last three fingers of your fretting hand. This allows you to quickly drop two fingers into position to form the C shape while maintaining the G notes on the top and bottom strings.
The rhythm is built around two down strokes followed by six steady down-up strums, while repeatedly using the hammer-on movement between the G and C/G shapes. Although it may sound as though the song contains frequent chord changes, much of the movement comes from this simple chord embellishment rather than from changing to entirely new chord shapes. The chords used are G, C, D, Bm, Am, and C/G.
I'd rate this lesson as beginner friendly because there is no lead work and only a handful of chords to learn. Once you become comfortable with the G to C/G movement and the steady rhythm pattern, the rest of the song falls together quite naturally.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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The Girl Of My Best Friend
- Learn To Play On
Acoustic
Guitar
The Girl of My Best Friend became one of the standout tracks from Elvis Presley's acclaimed Elvis Is Back! album in 1960. Built around a classic romantic dilemma, the lyrics tell the story of a man who finds himself falling for his best friend's girlfriend, creating a conflict between loyalty and desire.
Elvis's smooth vocal delivery and the song's blend of pop and rock and roll influences helped it connect with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. The single reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of the most recognizable recordings from his early 1960s comeback period.
With its memorable melody and relatable storyline, the song continues to be a favourite among Elvis fans today.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
The Girl Of My Best Friend is played in standard tuning and uses a relaxed rhythm that helps create the smooth, swaying feel of the original recording. For most of the song, I use a root down up root up down up pattern, sometimes referred to as a rake pattern because of the way the first downstroke is played. That opening stroke creates the slight drag and rolling feel that gives the song much of its character. If you prefer, you can also use a root down up down up root up down up pattern, which produces a more pronounced rumba-style rhythm while still fitting the arrangement well.
The chords used are E, Dbm, B7, A, Gbm, E7, and Gb. There is no lead work in this lesson, allowing you to focus entirely on the rhythm and vocal delivery. Once the chord changes become comfortable, choose whichever rhythm pattern feels most natural to you and use it consistently throughout the song. I'd rate this lesson as beginner friendly, as the arrangement focuses on rhythm, timing, and accompaniment rather than lead guitar techniques. The key is developing a smooth groove that supports the vocal without overplaying.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Elvis Presley Guitar Lessons
What are the easiest Elvis Presley songs to learn on acoustic guitar?
Songs such as A Mess Of Blues, Doin' The Best I Can, How's The World Treating You, and The Girl Of My Best Friend are excellent starting points because they rely more on rhythm and chord changes than lead guitar. Most can be played using common chord shapes and straightforward strumming patterns.
Do I need to learn lead guitar to play Elvis songs?
Not necessarily. Many Elvis songs work very well as vocal-and-rhythm-guitar arrangements. While some Elvis recordings feature memorable guitar parts, many of his ballads can be played successfully using chords, rhythm, and a few simple bass runs or embellishments.
Are Elvis songs good for learning to sing and play guitar at the same time?
Yes. Many Elvis songs are built around steady rhythm patterns that support the vocal rather than compete with it. Songs such as In The Ghetto and If I Can Dream are excellent examples of learning how to keep the guitar steady while focusing on the lyrics and melody.
Why do some Elvis songs sound harder than the chords suggest?
Often the challenge isn't the chords themselves but the timing, phrasing, and feel. Slow ballads can expose weak rhythm habits, and some songs require smooth chord transitions and good vocal coordination even when the guitar part is relatively simple.
Should I play Elvis songs exactly like the original recordings?
Not always. Acoustic guitar arrangements are often simplified to make them more practical for solo performers. The goal is usually to capture the feel and spirit of the song while creating an arrangement that works well for singing and playing on a single guitar.
What guitar skills can I learn from Elvis songs?
Elvis songs are great for developing rhythm, accompaniment, bass-note movement, chord embellishments, dynamics, and sing-and-play coordination. Many of his ballads teach players how to support a vocal performance without overplaying the guitar.
Why does In The Ghetto use a C/G chord so often?
The repeated movement between G and C/G helps create the flowing feel that drives the song. Learning this technique is useful because similar chord movements appear in many country, folk, gospel, and singer-songwriter songs.
Are Elvis ballads easier than his rock and roll songs?
In many cases, yes. Ballads often contain fewer technical guitar challenges and focus more on rhythm and accompaniment. Rock and roll songs may introduce faster tempos, lead breaks, blues licks, or more demanding rhythm patterns.
What's the best Elvis song to start with as a newer player?
A Mess Of Blues is a strong choice because it uses only a few chords, has no lead section, and allows players to focus on rhythm and groove. Doin' The Best I Can is another good option for players looking to develop their accompaniment skills.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to brush up on your Elvis favorites, these lessons are built to help you get better as a rhythm guitarist while having fun with some of the most memorable songs in rock and roll history.
Start with the free demos and PDFs, and if you find my teaching style helpful, you can grab the full lesson tutorials anytime. More Elvis lessons are just a click away — explore the rest of the collection below!
If you enjoy Elvis Presley's timeless rock 'n' roll style, you may also enjoy guitar lessons from fellow 1950s pioneers including The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson, Chuck Berry, and Buddy Holly. You can also return to our 50s Guitar Songs directory to explore even more classic artists and songs.
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Kirby Swinemar is an acoustic guitar instructor, performer and song arranger who has taught online for 21 years and created more than 4,000 original acoustic guitar lessons. He specialises in song-based acoustic guitar instruction, rhythm guitar techniques, and creating full-sounding solo arrangements that help beginner and intermediate players move beyond basic strumming.
Explore his work at Kirby's Guitar Lessons and on social media on his social media YouTube Channel and his Facebook Page. Learn more about Kirby on his About Me page.
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