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

A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

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!

Recommended songs for beginner bands: simple, crowd-pleasing tracks (101–110)

A flower called “you”ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION “A Flower Named You”

A flower called “you”ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

To the blue skySABOTEN

SABOTEN – To the Blue Sky (2014) Re-recording

To the blue skySABOTEN

SABOTEN is a three-piece rock band that captivates fans with straightforward, Japanese-based lyrics and the beautiful melodic-work typical of melodic hardcore.

“Aozora e,” included on their first album HI ROCK HI, features the clean, simple sound unique to a three-piece, which feels really good.

While there aren’t any difficult phrases, the performance can end up sounding flat unless you focus on tight playing and dynamics, so be mindful of that when practicing as a band.

Also, harmonies—the hallmark of melodic hardcore—are important, so practicing vocals alongside your instruments will raise the overall quality.

Raise the rankinglower

Hoshino Takashi

Report a problem

sparklergagaga supi

Gagaga SP 'Sparklers'

sparklergagaga supi

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!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

VenusTele

Tele | Venus – Music Video

VenusTele

Tele is the solo project of Kitaro Taniguchi, who has been gaining attention for his literary lyrics and soulful, penetrating vocals.

The track Venus, released on September 6, 2023, leaves a lasting impression with its refreshing melody that carries a sense of weightlessness.

The simple rock ensemble uses few elements, yet each part stands out with a distinct presence.

With no fast passages, including the guitar solo, it’s a rock tune recommended for band musicians seeking something easy to play yet cool.

Raise the rankinglower

Hoshino Takashi

Report a problem

rock upsetMakishimamu Za Horumon

Maximum the Hormone “Rock Upset” Music Video

rock upsetMakishimamu Za Horumon

Maximum the Hormone’s “Rock Bankuruwase” has a tempo close to 180, offering a pleasant sense of speed and making it a recommended song for beginners.

It seems difficult, but the guitar part is surprisingly easy since it’s just simple strumming with power chords! There’s some cutting in the middle, so be mindful of the rhythm there.

The drums use mainly 16th-note phrases, which makes it a bit tough.

It might be a good idea to ask someone who’s comfortable playing fast drum patterns to handle the drums.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem