Recommended songs for beginner band members by instrument
“I just started learning an instrument but already formed a band” or “We’re all beginners, but we want to start a band and play live!!” If that sounds like you, a budding band member— You’re probably thinking, “I have no idea where to start…” Of course, basic practice is important, but in the beginning, practicing songs is also recommended.
So in this article, we’ll introduce beginner-friendly songs for each instrument! Read this with your bandmates and use it to help you pick your setlist!
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Base (1–10)
jerseySabasusutā
Sabish Sister is a three-piece rock band formed in a modern way: the members came together through the local community site Jimoty.
The track Jersey, included on their first album Make Up Your Mind!, stands out with cute lyrics that evoke youthful days.
The bass line has few notes and no difficult phrases, so it’s easy even for beginner bassists to play.
At under three minutes, it’s a simple pop tune that’s easy to take on.
Holiday heaven35.7
35.7 is a four-piece rock band named after the fact that, when they first entered the studio, every member had the same body temperature.
“Holiday Heaven,” included on their second EP, Cast Away Books, Weave Songs, is an upbeat tune that has become one of the band’s signature tracks.
It’s mostly root-note playing, so there aren’t any difficult phrases, but there is syncopation in the intro and the interlude, so be careful not to slip out of time.
Also, since the tempo is a bit fast, make sure to stay in sync with the other parts.
Base (11–20)
Don’t say “lazy”Sakurakou Keionbu
Sakuragaoka High School Light Music Club is a four-piece band unit that appears within the TV anime K-ON!.
Their second single, “Don’t say “lazy”,” is also the ending theme for the series.
The bass part is basically root-note playing, but the overall ensemble quality hinges on how cleanly you can cut the notes in the accented unison sections with the other parts.
The interlude features more active phrasing, making it good practice for bassists looking to move beyond the beginner level.
It’s a cool rock tune that’s also very popular among rock fans.
You don’t get it.WurtS
“Wakattenai yo,” with its pleasantly bouncy beat, features a bass line that underpins Wurts’s pop sound with rich low end.
While centered on root notes, it also brings in tight rhythmic subdivisions and octave jumps, making it great fundamental practice for steady right-hand picking and left-hand position shifts.
Because the rests placed over a four-on-the-floor groove can make or break the feel, it’s also ideal for sharpening your sense of rhythm.
By locking into the tempo and repeating the line, you can internalize the groove—making this a perfect practice piece for beginner bassists.
Dear, boyHump Back
Hump Back is a three-piece rock band that has declared—and embodies—the balance between family life and musical activity.
Their song “Haikei, Shounen yo,” their first single in the current lineup, was used as the ending theme for the music program Buzz Rhythm 02 and became a hit with multiple tie-ins.
The bassline, while primarily sticking to root notes, creates a powerful ensemble groove and offers a rewarding challenge for beginner bassists.
It’s a simple yet emotional rock tune, with straightforward vocals and lyrics that resonate deeply.
Since I was littleJUDY AND MARY
JUDY AND MARY were explosively popular in the 1990s, announced their breakup in 2001, and are still talked about today in the Reiwa era as a legendary presence.
Their sound, born from the clash of four members with distinctly different looks and personalities, is catchy yet far from straightforward, and many people likely found it difficult when they tried to cover their songs.
A track I’d recommend with the assumption that you’re a beginner on bass is the 1995 single “Chisana Koro Kara.” It’s a beloved song that was performed even in their later live shows, and a masterpiece of a bittersweet medium-tempo ballad.
Bassist Kaoru Ondo, who also composed the song, sticks to a very simple root-based approach here, making it approachable even if fast, complex fingering is still tough for you.
As for the bold glissando playing before the guitar solo—go all in and nail it with no hesitation!
Rock ‘n’ roll won’t stop.Shinsei Kamattechan
Since they began their activities in the late 2000s, Shinsei Kamattechan have carved out a unique presence within the 2010s Japanese rock scene, and—helped by the outrageous performances of frontman Noko—have built a fervent fan base.
Their cult popularity is evident in the release of a film inspired by their songs, Shinsei Kamattechan: Rock ’n’ Roll Won’t Stop.
The track that lends its title to the film, Rock ’n’ Roll Won’t Stop, is one of their signature songs, and it’s fresh in our memories that they performed it on THE FIRST TAKE in January 2025, generating a lot of buzz.
The bass part is basically root notes; although a more melodic phrase appears in the chorus, it mostly repeats, so once you learn it, even beginner bassists should be able to play it without trouble.