Best Acoustic Guitar Intros: 25 Iconic Riffs (2026)

Acoustic guitar sales saw a massive 44% increase over a single year recently, with a huge wave of new players picking up the instrument. For many, the first real goal isn't to learn a full song, but to nail one of those iconic openings that everyone recognizes from the first note. This guide breaks down the best acoustic guitar intros ever recorded, ranking them by difficulty so you can find the perfect riff to learn next, no matter your skill level.

These classic guitar openings are more than just the start of a song; they are tiny, perfect musical statements. From simple two-chord strums to complex fingerstyle patterns, we'll cover the famous acoustic riffs that have defined genres and inspired millions to play.

The Best Acoustic Guitar Intros for Beginners (Difficulty 1-3/10)

This is where your journey begins. These intros are simple, sound fantastic, and provide the confidence boost every new player needs. Many of these are considered some of the best guitar riffs for beginners for a reason: they deliver a huge sound for minimal effort.

1. "Horse With No Name" – America

Difficulty: 1/10

This is it. This is the first intro every guitarist should learn. It's built on two chords, Em and a D6/9 played on the second fret, and you can play the whole thing without ever moving your fretting hand position. The constant, driving strum is perfect for developing right-hand rhythm. The simplicity is what makes it brilliant and proves you don't need complex changes to create a mood.

2. "Leaving on a Jet Plane" – John Denver

Difficulty: 1/10

Another absolute classic that runs on the three most important chords for any folk or pop guitarist: G, C, and D. The intro is a gentle, arpeggiated strum across these three chords. It's a fantastic exercise for practicing clean chord transitions. Getting the switch from G to C smooth is a rite of passage, and this intro is the perfect training ground.

3. "Three Little Birds" – Bob Marley

Difficulty: 2/10

This intro brings pure sunshine. It's just three chords: A, D, and E. The challenge here isn't the chords themselves, but the relaxed, off-beat reggae strumming pattern, known as the "skank." Learning to mute the strings with your fretting hand between strums is the key to getting that authentic sound. It’s a great introduction to rhythmic variation beyond simple down-up strumming.

4. "Wonderwall" – Oasis

Difficulty: 3/10

Don't let the memes fool you; this is a perfectly crafted acoustic intro. The trick is keeping your ring and pinky fingers anchored on the third fret of the B and high E strings while the other fingers form the changing chord shapes (Em7, G, Dsus4, A7sus4). The syncopated, driving strum pattern is the real challenge. Master this, and you'll be the life of any party. It's arguably one of the best 90s acoustic guitar songs ever written.

5. "Patience" – Guns N' Roses

Difficulty: 3/10

A surprisingly delicate and melodic intro from a band known for electric mayhem. While Guns N' Roses is known for distorted riffs, their acoustic work is legendary. This intro uses standard open chords (C, G, A, D) with a clean, arpeggiated picking pattern. It's an excellent first step into the world of fingerpicking without being overwhelming. The iconic whistle over the top is optional but highly recommended.

6. "More Than a Feeling" – Boston

Difficulty: 3/10

The arpeggiated acoustic intro to "More Than a Feeling" is one of the most famous acoustic riffs in rock history. It's a simple D-C-G chord progression, but played with arpeggios (picking individual notes of the chord) instead of strumming. This teaches you how to outline chords with single notes, a skill that forms the basis for thousands of other songs and even some of the most iconic guitar solos of all time.

Intermediate Acoustic Riffs (Difficulty 4-6/10)

Ready for the next step? These intros introduce new techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs, more intricate fingerpicking, and faster chord changes. They require more precision but are incredibly rewarding to master.

7. "Wish You Were Here" – Pink Floyd

Difficulty: 4/10

The intro to "Wish You Were Here" is a rite of passage. It starts with a simple riff played on a 12-string guitar before the main rhythm guitar comes in. The main part uses open G and C chords, but it's embellished with beautiful hammer-ons and a melodic bass line walked between the chords. Learning this intro teaches you how to add melody and movement to basic chord shapes. It's a mini-lesson in composition.

8. "Tears in Heaven" – Eric Clapton

Difficulty: 5/10

A beautiful and heartbreaking piece of music, this intro is a gateway to the world of fingerstyle guitar. It requires careful finger placement for the delicate arpeggios and smooth transitions between chords. The pattern isn't overly complex, but playing it with the right touch and emotion is the real challenge. This is a song that teaches you dynamics and feel, not just notes.

9. "Dust in the Wind" – Kansas

Difficulty: 5/10

This is the song that introduced a generation of guitarists to Travis picking. The technique involves using your thumb to play a steady, alternating bass pattern on the lower strings while your fingers play a melody on the higher strings. The chord shapes are simple (C, G, Am), but coordinating your thumb and fingers to work independently is a major milestone for any developing guitarist.

10. "Crazy on You" – Heart

Difficulty: 6/10

Nancy Wilson's explosive intro is a masterclass in aggressive, percussive acoustic playing. It starts slow and melodic before launching into a rapid-fire strumming pattern that sounds like a galloping horse. It's a workout for your right arm and teaches you how to control dynamics, going from a whisper to a roar in seconds. It’s pure energy translated to an acoustic guitar.

11. "Hotel California" – Eagles

Difficulty: 6/10

Another iconic intro played on a 12-string guitar, this one requires a capo on the 7th fret. The fingerpicked arpeggios flow beautifully through the famous chord progression (Am, E7, G, D, F, C, Dm, E). The challenge is playing it cleanly and at tempo. Each note needs to ring out clearly. It’s one of the most recognizable pieces of music ever written, and the acoustic intro sets the stage perfectly.

12. "Stairway to Heaven" – Led Zeppelin

Difficulty: 6/10

No list of iconic guitar parts would be complete without "Stairway." The intro is a hauntingly beautiful fingerpicked progression on an Am chord that walks down the chromatic scale. It's a brilliant piece of writing from Jimmy Page. The fingerpicking pattern is consistent, but the fretting hand is constantly moving, requiring precision and a gentle touch. Learning this is like learning a piece of classical music for the acoustic guitar.

13. "Landslide" – Fleetwood Mac

Difficulty: 5/10

Lindsey Buckingham's fingerstyle approach is unique, and "Landslide" is a prime example. Played with a capo on the 3rd fret, it uses a simplified Travis picking pattern. The intro is gentle and spacious, letting the notes breathe. The key is the C to G/B to Am transition, where the moving bass note creates a beautiful, descending melodic line. It's a lesson in taste and subtlety.

14. "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" – Green Day

Difficulty: 4/10

This song proved Green Day was more than just a punk band. The intro is a simple, arpeggiated G-C-D progression. It's often one of the first "picking" songs a guitarist learns after getting strumming down. The pattern is repetitive and easy to memorize, making it a perfect exercise for developing finger dexterity and accuracy.

15. "Over the Hills and Far Away" – Led Zeppelin

Difficulty: 6/10

Another Zeppelin classic, this one kicks off with a bright, energetic acoustic riff in G major. It's filled with quick hammer-ons and pull-offs that give it a bouncy, lively feel. It's more rhythmically complex than "Stairway" and requires a strong sense of timing to pull off correctly. It's a great example of how acoustic guitar can be used as a powerful lead instrument.

Advanced & Expert Fingerstyle Openings (Difficulty 7-10/10)

Welcome to the deep end. These intros are technically demanding, musically complex, and reserved for players who have put in the hours. They often involve alternate tunings, complex fingerpicking, and a deep understanding of the fretboard.

16. "Blackbird" – The Beatles

Difficulty: 7/10

Paul McCartney wrote this masterpiece inspired by a Bach piece. It’s played in standard tuning, but the technique is anything but standard. It involves using the thumb to pick a bass note and a higher string simultaneously while the index finger strums the remaining strings, creating a unique, almost polyphonic sound. It's a beautiful fingerstyle song that is a benchmark for any serious acoustic player.

17. "The Boxer" – Simon & Garfunkel

Difficulty: 8/10

Paul Simon's intricate Travis picking on "The Boxer" is legendary. The intro is a rolling, complex pattern played over a simple C chord. The difficulty comes from the speed, precision, and endurance required to maintain the pattern throughout the song. It's a marathon for your right hand and one of the finest examples of folk fingerstyle guitar ever recorded.

18. "Roundabout" – Yes

Difficulty: 8/10

Steve Howe's intro to "Roundabout" is a journey in itself. It starts with a harmonic swell, then moves into a delicate, classical-inspired fingerstyle passage. It's technically demanding, with intricate voicings and a precise, nimble touch required. It showcases how the acoustic guitar can be just as progressive and complex as its electric counterpart.

19. "Nothing Else Matters" – Metallica

Difficulty: 7/10

This intro, played on an open E minor arpeggio, was a huge departure for Metallica and became one of their biggest hits. The challenge is the clean, open-string picking. It's a simple pattern, but any mistake is immediately obvious. It requires a relaxed right hand and perfect timing to let the notes ring into each other. It's a great study in using open strings to create a full, resonant sound.

20. "Dee" – Randy Rhoads

Difficulty: 9/10

A short but incredibly difficult classical-inspired piece from Ozzy Osbourne's legendary guitarist. This intro is a flurry of notes, combining fast arpeggios, complex chord voicings, and wide fretboard stretches. It requires classical technique and precision. It’s a beautiful tribute to his mother and a stark contrast to the metal mayhem he was known for. This is less of a rock intro and more of a proper classical etude.

21. "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" – Led Zeppelin

Difficulty: 8/10

This track is an absolute joy to play but a real challenge to learn. It's in an open G tuning, which is one of the many essential alternate tunings for acoustic guitar. The intro is a fast, country-blues fingerpicking pattern with a driving, percussive rhythm. Keeping the groove steady while navigating the intricate licks is the main difficulty.

22. "Anji" – Bert Jansch / Paul Simon

Difficulty: 9/10

A classic folk-baroque instrumental that has become a benchmark for acoustic fingerstyle players. The original by Davey Graham was popularized by Bert Jansch and Paul Simon. The intro is complex, with a walking bassline, melody, and harmony all happening at once. It requires complete independence between the thumb and fingers and is a true test of a guitarist's technical skill.

23. "Classical Gas" – Mason Williams

Difficulty: 10/10

This is the Everest of acoustic guitar intros for many. It's a full-blown orchestral piece arranged for a single guitar. The intro section alone features rapid flamenco-style strumming, fast arpeggiated runs, and complex chord changes all over the neck. Mastering this piece requires dedication and a high level of technical proficiency across multiple styles. It's not just an intro; it's a complete workout. Even deciding between different guitar body types, like in a dreadnought vs. parlor guitar comparison, can affect how this song is approached.

24. "Shape of My Heart" – Sting

Difficulty: 7/10

Dominic Miller's beautiful guitar work on this track is subtle and sophisticated. The intro uses lush, jazzy chord voicings high up the neck, requiring some uncomfortable stretches. The fingerpicking pattern is delicate and precise. It's a lesson in harmony and using the fretboard beyond simple open chords.

25. "Never Going Back Again" – Fleetwood Mac

Difficulty: 10/10

Another Lindsey Buckingham masterpiece, this one is in Drop D tuning with a capo way up on the 6th fret. It is a relentless, lightning-fast Travis picking pattern that requires incredible right-hand stamina and precision. The pattern is deceptively complex and must be played flawlessly at a high speed. It stands as one of the most challenging and impressive acoustic fingerstyle pieces in the rock canon.

Summary Table of Iconic Acoustic Intros

Song Title	Artist	Year	Difficulty (1-10)	Key Technique
Horse With No Name	America	1971	1	Simple Strumming
Leaving on a Jet Plane	John Denver	1966	1	Basic Chord Changes
Three Little Birds	Bob Marley	1977	2	Reggae "Skank" Strum
Wonderwall	Oasis	1995	3	Anchored Fingers & Syncopation
Patience	Guns N' Roses	1988	3	Basic Arpeggios
More Than a Feeling	Boston	1976	3	Chord Arpeggiation
Good Riddance	Green Day	1997	4	Simple Arpeggios
Wish You Were Here	Pink Floyd	1975	4	Hammer-ons & Melody
Tears in Heaven	Eric Clapton	1992	5	Basic Fingerstyle
Dust in the Wind	Kansas	1977	5	Travis Picking
Landslide	Fleetwood Mac	1975	5	Capo & Fingerstyle
Crazy on You	Heart	1976	6	Percussive Strumming
Hotel California	Eagles	1976	6	12-String Arpeggios
Stairway to Heaven	Led Zeppelin	1971	6	Chromatic Fingerpicking
Over the Hills…	Led Zeppelin	1973	6	Fast Hammer-ons
Blackbird	The Beatles	1968	7	Unique Fingerstyle
Nothing Else Matters	Metallica	1991	7	Open String Arpeggios
Shape of My Heart	Sting	1993	7	Jazzy Chord Voicings
The Boxer	Simon & Garfunkel	1969	8	Advanced Travis Picking
Roundabout	Yes	1971	8	Classical Fingerstyle
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp	Led Zeppelin	1970	8	Open Tuning Fingerstyle
Dee	Randy Rhoads	1980	9	Classical Technique
Anji	Bert Jansch	1965	9	Folk-Baroque Fingerstyle
Classical Gas	Mason Williams	1968	10	Hybrid Picking & Flamenco
Never Going Back Again	Fleetwood Mac	1977	10	Advanced Travis Picking

How to Practice and Master These Intros

Learning these iconic guitar parts is a great way to stay motivated. A staggering 90% of people who start guitar quit within the first year, often from feeling overwhelmed. Focusing on a short, rewarding intro is a perfect antidote.

1. Start Slow. Use a metronome at a ridiculously slow speed. Your goal is accuracy, not speed. Speed will come naturally once your fingers know where to go.
2. Break It Down. Don't try to learn the whole intro at once. Isolate the first two chords. Play them back and forth until the transition is seamless. Then add the third chord. Master it in small, digestible chunks.
3. Listen Actively. Go back to the original recording. Listen to the dynamics. Is one note louder than another? Is the strumming aggressive or gentle? Try to mimic the feel, not just the notes. This is a key step often missed by those trying to figure out how to become a music producer at a young age.
4. Repetition is Key. Muscle memory is built through repetition. Playing a riff correctly ten times in a row is better than playing it 100 times with mistakes. Consistent, focused practice, even just 15 minutes a day, is more effective than one long, frustrating session per week.

The timeless appeal of the acoustic guitar is built on the foundation of intros like these. Whether your goal is to play around a campfire or become the next fingerstyle virtuoso, mastering these classic openings is a vital and enjoyable part of the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest famous guitar intro to learn?

"Horse With No Name" by America is widely considered the easiest. It uses only two simple chord shapes that don't require much finger movement, and the strumming pattern is very straightforward. It's a perfect first win for any new guitarist.

Do I need an acoustic-electric guitar to play these?

No, any standard acoustic guitar will work perfectly for all of these intros. An acoustic-electric model, especially one of the best cutaway acoustic guitars, is only necessary if you plan to plug into an amplifier for live performance. The techniques are identical.

What is Travis picking?

Travis picking is a specific style of fingerpicking named after guitarist Merle Travis. It involves using your thumb to play a steady, alternating bass pattern on the lower strings while your other fingers (usually index and middle) play melody and harmony notes on the higher strings. "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas is a classic example.

How important is using a capo for some of these songs?

A capo is essential for playing some songs in their original key without using difficult barre chords. For intros like "Hotel California" or "Landslide," the capo allows you to use familiar open-chord shapes higher up the neck, which is critical to getting the correct sound and resonance.

Can I learn these intros from YouTube?

Absolutely. YouTube is an incredible resource, but it can also be overwhelming. It's best to use YouTube to supplement a more structured learning path, focusing on one song at a time from a reputable teacher to avoid confusion and build good habits.

What's the hardest acoustic guitar intro on this list?

"Classical Gas" by Mason Williams and "Never Going Back Again" by Fleetwood Mac are the most technically demanding. Both require exceptional speed, precision, stamina, and mastery of advanced techniques, making them goals for even seasoned expert players.