If you’re a beginner or even an advanced guitar player looking to expand your repertoire, you might want to consider Gary Jules’ rendition of Tears for Fears’ “Mad World”. Known for its melancholic melody and poignant lyrics, this song shines not just for Jules’ emotive vocals but also for its simple yet effective guitar work.

The song features an easy-to-play fingerpicking pattern and only four chords throughout, making it a perfect piece for beginners or anyone wanting to experiment with fingerpicking style. Plus, each chord gets plenty of airtime before the transition, allowing for a lot of practice in holding down each chord shape. While the song’s strong emotional content might seem overwhelming, the guitar part remains grounded, encouraging players to focus on the beauty in simplicity.