10 Easy Songs to Sing for Beginners

Are you struggling to find a song that suits you? Perhaps the ones you’ve tried are proving a little too tricky?

On this page, from River Recording Studios in Southampton

Find easy songs to sing for beginners and you’ll show off your vocal abilities at their best, even without a large amount of experience. Not everyone finds the same pieces easy though, so you must first understand your strengths, to ensure you choose wisely.

Read on for suggestions and inspiration on the simplest tunes to pick up, perfect for those new to singing.

Easy songs to sing for beginners

When first starting out in the industry, you should select songs that will create the best impression; ones that show off your voice. Choosing the right song will also help your voice sound better on recordings.

Understanding what kind of singing voice you have will go a long way to helping you establish the best songs to practice singing. You’ll either be a soprano, a mezzo-soprano, alto, bass, baritone, or a tenor. – depending on your natural vocal register You could also have the ability to use falsetto – a very high register, extending your possible range upwards. Try to match up your own voice type with the original artist’s. You’ll find it fits much more easily in terms of pitch. This doesn’t mean you should copy the interpretation though.

Songs to sing for beginners

There are lots of different ways to perfect your vocal technique and that doesn’t mean you have to be singing the same songs all the time. Anything you sing can be used as a vocal exercise. However, some songs are particularly good when it comes to singing lessons – those that offer a great deal of variety allow you to practice hitting higher and lower notes.

Taking singing lessons will help you to improve your tone, technique, power and volume. It will also enable someone else to listen to you to help you improve. What you hear when you sing isn’t always what other people hear. Take note of all their tips and make sure that you take them on board. Vocal coaching will help you to increase your chances of making it as a recording artist.

Easy songs to sing

It’s a good idea to experiment with songs to try and make them different too. This way they’ll stand out so they are recognised as having a unique stance and your own style. Some tracks can sound complicated, as the artists add in all sorts of vocal flourishes (Mariah Carey is a notable example of this). But that actual melody may be very straightforward and suit you perfectly, as a more acoustic, or whispered version. Remember, you don’t have to – and invariably shouldn’t – copy the artist who recorded the original. Radio 1’s Live Lounge is full of examples of how you can make a song your own.

Songs to practise singing

So let’s begin with some songs to practice singing.

#1 I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton

Yes, we know it’s a cheesy hackneyed karaoke song. But it’s also a simple, yet beautiful power ballad that really tests all the vocal cords – and it gives you a chance to practice holding long notes. Once you have perfected it, you can really show off your voice. Check out Dolly’s original, rather than Whitney Houston’s version (which was full of more complex runs and riffs) to see how straightforward a rendition of this can be. Seeking another karaoke classic that sounds impressive but is easy to master? Try Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On.

#2 At Last by Etta James

A favourite among many aspiring singers, this timeless ballad is another one that gives you the chance to practice holding long notes. The slow rhythm and beautiful melodies make it a joy to sing and mellifluous to listen to. It’s been covered by other artists for decades – including a significant version by Beyonce. So you can listen to different versions, modernising it to give it your own stamp.

#3 Sign of the Times by Harry Styles

Harry sings with a fairly dark voice. So this is a perfect song to practice your technique if you’re a singer with a slightly lower range. His poppy tunes are generally pretty easy to pick up too.

Good songs to practice singing

#4 Hometown Glory by Adele

Another mainstream singer who produces some singable tunes is Adele. Few of her self-penned hits are as powerful and have such a wide range as Hometown Glory. It’s also one of the less well known Adele songs which means it gives you the opportunity to practice singing something different and not sticking to the classic Someone Like You. The range it offers means that it will really test your vocals and is great for you to control your voice and understand it better as well as helping you to improve.

#5 Stitches by Shawn Mendes

If you’re a male vocalist with a good range, this is a good song to rehearse and perfect. And it’s perfect for newcomers, even if you don’t have Shawn’s power.

#6 Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran

This is a good option if you are looking for something fairly current that a younger audience will be familiar with. The tenor song is popular and a modern classic pop anthem. It also contains opportunities for you to experiment with falsettos and runs if you wish, or as you develop. All Ed’s hits are gentle on the vocals, making them accessible to newbies.

Good songs to sing for beginners

#7 Fly Me To The Moon by Michael Buble

Should you lack oomph in your vocals, opt for a crooner’s song. This version of Fly Me to the Moon was a take on the original by Frank Sinatra. But Buble shows, you can be very laid back in your vocals and performance style, while still wowing a crowd. That doesn’t mean you should neglect your breathwork though. In the beginning, you can stick to relaxing songs until you develop more power. But longer-term you should aim to have a decent belt within your repertoire too, that is if you want to be a versatile vocalist.

#8 She by Elvis Costello

If you don’t try to copy Elvis Costello’s inimitable gravelly sound, you’ll find this to be an easy sing. It’s a beautiful song and a good male ballad to practice. Some sustained notes and a lot of emotion make it a perfect song to sing as a beginner.

#9 Stay With Me by Sam Smith

Do you have a high voice? Stay With Me is a great power ballad and a song that works well for both male and female singers to practice.

#10 Get Happy by Judy Garland

You’ll find this to be a fun, jazzy number that’ll make you want to keep singing. The time signature is easy to keep, but there’s also plenty of room for artistic interpretation (and mistakes that won’t be obvious to your audience!). Make it your own and you’ll be on your way to greater things very soon.

Easy songs for beginners to sing

It’s important to choose the right song, especially when recording and for an audition. You’ll only get so many takes during your session – and an audition is usually a one-off chance to impress. Make sure the song is special to you and is sung in a unique style. This will come across on the mic and to the audience. Try to avoid songs that are at the top of the charts right now or from popular musicals. You want to pick something that suits your voice, but it should also suit your age. Avoid anything inappropriate.

Songs for beginner singers

These numbers are super for performing when you want to sound on top form. However, when choosing songs to practice with, pick ones that pose more of a challenge. Pushing yourself a little will help you to enhance your skills. Perhaps you are struggling to hit a high note. Or maybe the rhythm is a bit more complicated. Don’t run before you can walk – work on small parts of a particular song, bit by bit until you have a perfected final version you can record and perform with aplomb.