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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!

Recommended songs for band beginners. Easy, crowd-pleasing songs (21–30)

silhouetteKANA-BOON

KANA-BOON “Silhouette” Music Video
silhouetteKANA-BOON

This is a KANA-BOON track characterized by exhilarating guitar riffs and an energetic band sound.

Embedding a message about the importance of continuing to protect what matters during the process of growing up, the song conveys that past experiences and encounters shape who we are today.

Released as a single from Ki/oon Music in November 2014, it was also included on the album TIME.

It was selected as the opening theme for the TV anime Naruto Shippuden and reached No.

11 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

It’s approachable as a guitar practice piece, with an appealing fusion of melodious elements and rock sound.

Recommended for those just starting guitar or anyone looking to explore rock music.

End the worldHarukamirai

Harukamirai – End the World (Official Video)
End the worldHarukamirai

One of Harukamirai’s signature songs, it’s a fiery band piece that feels like pure youthful passion thrown straight into the music.

The tempo isn’t too fast or too slow, making it easy to play.

Since the key is a simple, straightforward performance, once you can get through the whole song, play it with confidence so you can convey that intensity! For drummers, the chorus phrase with its drum-roll-like feel and the use of closed rimshots offer a good opportunity to study slightly more advanced patterns.

Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number

back number – Takane no Hanako-san (full)
Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number

A three-piece rock band, back number, has released numerous hit songs since their major debut in 2011.

This track is a fast-paced number featuring a striking guitar intro with spacious delay.

While the guitar has plenty of spotlight moments—such as delay-driven lines and short phrases in the interlude—the playing itself is straightforward, making it relatively easy for beginner guitarists to copy.

The bass and drums are generally simple as well, though slightly more complex phrases appear in the B section, so it’s important for the rhythm section to lock in together.

Being an up-tempo and well-known song, it’s sure to fire up the crowd when performed live.

wavy or curly hairSaucy Dog

Saucy Dog “Kusege” Music Video (Theme song for the ABC TV/TV Asahi drama “My Diary”)
wavy or curly hairSaucy Dog

Saucy Dog’s “Kusege,” which has also drawn attention as a TV drama theme song, captivates many with its heart-touching melody.

The guitar mainly provides chord backing, but be mindful not to strum aimlessly—listen to the other instruments and aim to play as part of the ensemble.

The bass should center on solid root notes as the foundation, while delivering the melodic phrases in the interlude with a sense of songfulness.

The drums support the track with a steady 8-beat, and by emphasizing the contrast between the delicacy of the verse and the power of the chorus, the atmosphere deepens significantly.

I hope each player strives to perform in a way that closely supports the melody.

Let’s hold handstaiyozoku

Taiyouzoku is a four-piece rock band named after the concept of wanting to play music as warm as the sun.

The title track of their second album, “Te o Tsunagou” (“Let’s Hold Hands”), features positive, heartfelt lyrics that are truly soothing.

While there are some tricky parts—like the hard-to-grasp drum rhythm right from the opening—the overall arrangement is simple, making it a great practice song for beginner band members.

Because the track demands tight, precise playing, it’s a number you’ll want to tackle with careful attention to rhythm.

migratory bird[Alexandros]

[Alexandros] – Wataridori (MV)
migratory bird[Alexandros]

[Alexandros] is a four-piece rock band that captivates fans with songs that sprinkle modern essence into a classic rock sound.

Their major-label debut single Watari-dori, released as a double A-side with Dracula La, is still known as one of their signature tracks.

The guitar riff in the intro, which sets the tone for the song, actually uses only four notes and is simple, making it something any guitarist will want to play.

The rhythm section is also straightforward in terms of playing skill, but because drive and bounce are crucial, beginner band members should practice syncing tightly with one another.

Donut holehachi

Hachi – Donut Hole, HACHI – DONUT HOLE
Donut holehachi

A song released under the Vocaloid producer name Hachi by Kenshi Yonezu, a singer-songwriter who has become one of the defining artists of the Reiwa era.

Although the tempo is quite fast, the phrases themselves don’t require particularly difficult techniques, making it an approachable number.

The guitar uses generally simple chords overall, but add9 and diminished chords are employed effectively in places, so practice carefully with attention to them.

The bass and drums have simple phrases as well, but since the tempo is fast, make sure to keep the rhythm steady without wavering.

Throughout the song there are many syncopations and hits, creating a driving, tense atmosphere, so by focusing on rhythm in addition to technique, you can perform in a way that closely captures the feel of the original track.