Recommended songs for beginner bands: simple and crowd-pleasing tracks.

sparklergagaga supi

Gagaga SP 'Sparklers'

This is one of the signature songs by Gagaga SP, a band that helped lead the 2000s youth punk boom.

Packed with the drive, youthful earnestness, and bittersweetness typical of youth punk, this track can make for a cool live performance as long as beginners play it with passion! For vocals in particular, the key is to sing with heat and conviction without worrying about technical perfection.

If the drums and bass practice diligently to avoid dragging the tempo, they should be able to lock in tightly.

However, the guitar features continuous eighth-note palm muting, which might be a bit challenging for beginner guitarists.

Practice repeatedly so you can palm mute with alternate picking—producing sound on both the downstroke and the upstroke.

The key is to start at a slow tempo and gradually speed up!

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Hane Keisuke

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Rock ‘n’ rollkururi

Quruli – Rock 'n' Roll | Live

Kururi is a rock duo whose lyrically arranged songs are supported by many artists, both professional and amateur.

Rock’n’Roll, included on their fifth album Antenna, was used as the opening theme for the railway information program series Minna no Tetsudō.

The guitar riff, while technically simple, is catchy and sticks in your ear, making it fun to play.

Every part is straightforward and the tempo is relaxed, so it’s a number that should be easy for beginner band members to take on.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Carnivalmuque

muque – Carnival (Official Music Video)

muque’s “Carnival” was born as a commemorative theme song for a local FM station and is a pop-rock number brimming with hope.

Its straightforward 2000s-style sound and the canon progression in the chorus make it highly memorable, and it’s sure to get the crowd going if your band covers it.

The key to the performance is having every member convey the song’s warm, uplifting vibe.

The guitar should deliver the distinctive intro riff cleanly, while the bass locks in with the drums to lay down a steady 8-beat.

Even simple drum fills can tighten the track, so nailing the timing is essential.

If you sing the lyrics with emotive expression like Asakura, it will undoubtedly resonate with listeners!

SunflowerSHACHI

SHACHI – Sunflower [official MV]

SHACHI is a three-piece rock band with two contrasting lead vocalists, and their positive, message-driven lyrics captivate fans.

Their fourth single, “Himawari,” amps you up right from the intro that makes you want to thrust your fist in the air.

While each part relies only on basic techniques, the fast tempo—like the guitar’s palm muting and the drum beats—adds difficulty, so it’s best to start practicing at a tempo you can comfortably play.

It’s a refreshing rock tune with a driving ensemble that perfectly suits a school festival vibe.

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Hoshino Takashi

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A flower called “you”ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION “A Flower Named You”

Asian Kung-Fu Generation’s “Kimi to Iu Hana” is recommended for those looking for simple yet stylish drum phrases.

The drums in this song are straightforward, keeping eighth notes on the hi-hat, but the cool part is opening the hi-hat on the off-beats of those eighths.

The sound is like “tshee, tshee.” Also, the kick is just a steady four-on-the-floor—“don, don, don, don”—so even drummers who struggle with foot patterns should be fine.

The fills in the latter half are complex, so if they’re difficult, you might want to arrange them into simpler phrases.

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Yuuki

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EnchantedSaucy Dog

Saucy Dog “Enchanted” Music Video

This is the 12th digital-only single by the three-piece band Saucy Dog, chosen as the theme song for Abema’s original romance show “Koisuru ♡ Shūmatsu Homestay 2022 Spring.” The guitar mainly uses strumming and arpeggios, and since the bass and drums have relatively few notes, it should be approachable even for beginner band members.

The rhythm section features fine off-beat patterns that evoke a 16-beat feel, which requires attention, but the tempo is relaxed, so with calm practice it can be reproduced easily.

Simple yet dynamically expressive across the whole track, it’s a number that can liven up school festivals and live shows.

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Hoshino Takashi

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I touched an angel!Hōkago Tī Taimu

I Touched an Angel! (Movie “K-On!” Mix)

A song by the band Ho-kago Tea Time that appears in the hugely popular TV anime K-On!, which became a social phenomenon.

Even among K-On! tracks—many of which are high-level performance-wise—this one features a simple arrangement playable with standard techniques, making it approachable for beginner band members.

If you want to recreate the feel of the original, each member will need to practice their respective vocal parts, but since the playing itself isn’t difficult, it’s manageable.

It’s a famous song from a series with a large fanbase, so it’s a number you’ll want to perform as close to the original as possible.

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Hoshino Takashi

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