Recommended songs for beginner bands: simple and crowd-pleasing tracks.
Your first live performance at a school festival or a live house… At the beginning, most bands probably perform as a cover band rather than playing original songs, right?
When that time comes, you’ll likely agonize over which songs to play—especially if your band is full of instrumental beginners, you’ll want to choose from simpler tracks.
You might want to hype the crowd by covering popular bands’ songs, but at the same time, you may find yourself hesitating, thinking, “This one seems tough…”
So in this article, we’ll introduce plenty of beginner-friendly songs that band newcomers can learn to play with practice!
Of course, carefully listening to and recreating the original is important, but boldly arranging songs to make them easier to play is also a great way to energize your live performance!
Alright, let’s dive into which songs we recommend!
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Recommended songs for beginner bands: easy, crowd-pleasing tracks (91–100)
AyaMy Hair is Bad
A song by the three-piece rock band My Hair is Bad—known by the nickname “Maihea”—who have honed their playing skills and reputation since high school by supporting numerous bands on tour.
It’s included on their 5th album, “angels,” and the realistic lyrics depicting a forbidden love are heartrending, aren’t they? With a relaxed tempo and simple parts across the board, it’s easy for even a beginner-only band to cover.
However, while the techniques are simple, that also means you can’t hide if the ensemble falls apart.
So don’t just focus on your own playing—be sure to listen closely to the other parts as you practice.
elevated lineELLEGARDEN
There are a lot of people looking for songs that are simple yet cool.
For you, I recommend ELLEGARDEN’s “Koukasen” (Overhead Lines).
It sounds almost like Western music, but ELLEGARDEN is a Japanese band.
The song is simple but really cool, so I think it’s a perfect choice for beginners to build confidence.
Try practicing so that the drum beat really comes to the forefront.
TV ManiacsELLEGARDEN
ELLEGARDEN is a four-piece rock band that has had a huge influence on rock bands in the J-POP scene since the 2000s and continues to stay at the forefront.
“TV Maniacs,” included on their fourth album RIOT ON THE GRILL, gets your adrenaline pumping with its straightforward rock sound that kicks off with a powerful guitar riff.
The tempo is quite fast, and the drums in particular can make or break the overall quality of the track depending on whether the beat remains steady to the end, so take care.
Also, since the lyrics are entirely in English, vocalists should thoroughly learn the song before band practice so they can keep up with the ensemble.
Love ParadeORANGE RANGE
This is the 10th single by ORANGE RANGE, a five-member mixed-genre band with hits like “Shanghai Honey” and “Hana,” active primarily in their home prefecture of Okinawa.
The song was chosen as the theme for Densha Otoko, a film that originated on the internet and became a social phenomenon.
Written after reading the script, it’s a heartwarming number that conveys the story and atmosphere.
Unusually for an ORANGE RANGE single, the arrangement includes a guitar solo, but the overall performance is simple, making it approachable for beginner band members.
However, because the song has dynamic contrasts, avoid a flat delivery and be mindful of the tension and energy throughout the performance.
My First KissHi-STANDARD
A cover of the anime Kiteretsu Daihyakka’s theme song by the punk rock band Hi-STANDARD.
That familiar melody has been arranged into a refreshing punk style, and it feels great to listen to! The distinctive guitar riff will take solid practice until you can play it smoothly, but the rest is mainly power chords, so it’s recommended for beginner guitarists too.
The bass has a bit of movement, but it’s built on simple phrases, and the drums are made up of a straightforward beat except for the fills at the transitions.
If, when you actually start practicing, you find a part that feels truly impossible, it’s fine to ask an experienced player to simplify it into an easier phrase!
Shangri-LaChatto Monchī
If you’re looking for songs by all-girl bands, I recommend “Shangri-La” by Chatmonchy.
It has a simple setup—guitar, bass, and drums—and the song itself is very straightforward, so I think it’s easy even for beginners to play.
If there’s one challenging part, it’s the rhythm.
The swing of the rhythm is crucial in this song, so pay attention not only to when you play the notes but also to when you mute them.
My girlfriend is PIZZA OF DEATHSabasusutā
Sabasister’s “My girlfriend is PIZZA OF DEATH,” which also made waves with its punk-styled music video, is a one-minute punk song brimming with love for the prestigious label PIZZA OF DEATH! It’s a surefire killer tune that will unite the floor if you cover it live.
Keep the guitar tight and choppy with distorted power chords, have the bass lock in a moving, walking-style phrase in the B section, and make sure the drummer can power through the final two-beat—that’s the key.
Practice it repeatedly!