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Practice songs for beginner electric bass players

The bass is often described as the unsung hero, and it tends to be seen as a bit understated.

Some of you might have actually picked up an electric bass and gotten bored practicing root notes in an 8-beat pattern over and over.

In this article, we’ve researched songs that are relatively easy even for beginner bassists to play, while also letting you experience how fun and interesting the bass can be.

We’ve focused mainly on Japanese tracks across different eras, with a few classic Western songs included as well.

If you play bass while feeling the groove within a band ensemble, you’ll surely expand your toolkit as a player.

Give it a try!

Playlist

Practice songs for beginner electric bass players
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastInfernoMrs. GREEN APPLE
InfernoMrs. GREEN APPLEplay_arrow
Explanation of Inferno by Mrs. GREEN APPLE
2eastGhost in the FlowersYorushika
Ghost in the FlowersYorushikaplay_arrow
Yorushika’s movie theme songs, for beginners
3eastLinkL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
LinkL'Arc〜en〜Cielplay_arrow
L’Arc~en~Ciel’s “Link” is perfect for bass practice.
4eastScarecrowthe pillows
Scarecrowthe pillowsplay_arrow
Bass practice for rock songs by the pillows
5eastDon’t say “lazy”Sakurakou Keionbu
Don't say "lazy"Sakurakou Keionbuplay_arrow
Musical analysis of K-On!
6eastYou don’t get it.WurtS
You don't get it.WurtSplay_arrow
Practice songs for beginner bassists
7eastDear, boyHump Back
Dear, boyHump Backplay_arrow
Hump Back’s hit song “Dear, Boy”
8eastdancerVaundy
dancerVaundyplay_arrow
Vaundy’s song “Odoriko” is suitable for beginners
9eastRewriteASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
RewriteASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATIONplay_arrow
Rewrite, a popular song by ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
10eastWandervogelkururi
Wandervogelkururiplay_arrow
Wonder Vogel's bass practice methods
11eastTo tell you the truth,yangusukinii
To tell you the truth,yangusukiniiplay_arrow
A beginner bass practice song that conveys young people's romantic feelings
12eastLOVE ROCKETSThe Birthday
LOVE ROCKETSThe Birthdayplay_arrow
Introduction to The Birthday’s songs
13eastjerseySabasusutā
jerseySabasusutāplay_arrow
Band song jersey bass for beginners
14eastSupernovaELLEGARDEN
SupernovaELLEGARDENplay_arrow
Introduce the song Supernova by ELLEGARDEN
15eastHoliday heaven35.7
Holiday heaven35.7play_arrow
Explain the representative songs of Band 35.7
16eastDon’t Look Back In AngerOasis
Don’t Look Back In AngerOasisplay_arrow
Oasis classic, for beginner bass players
17eastShangri-LaChatmonchy
Shangri-La Chatmonchyplay_arrow
Explanation of Chatmonchy's Shangri-La
18eastMy Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS
My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPSplay_arrow
RADWIMPS' 'Zenzenzense' is high difficulty
19eastPOISONHotei Tomoyasu
POISONHotei Tomoyasuplay_arrow
Learn to play the bass for Tomoyasu Hotei’s classic songs
20eastFatlipSUM41
FatlipSUM41play_arrow
Rests and a sense of tempo are important in SUM 41’s songs.
21eastThe TrooperIron Maiden
The TrooperIron Maidenplay_arrow
Let's analyze Iron Maiden's classic songs.
22eastSmoke on the WaterDeep Purple
Smoke on the WaterDeep Purpleplay_arrow
A famous song about the Montreux fire
23eastSTAY AWAYL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
STAY AWAYL'Arc〜en〜Cielplay_arrow
Learn the splendid bass technique of L'Arc-en-Ciel's TETSUYA
24eastRe:makeONE OK ROCK
Re:makeONE OK ROCKplay_arrow
An explanation of ONE OK ROCK's heavy rock songs
25eastpeace signYonezu Kenshi
peace signYonezu Kenshiplay_arrow
Peace Sign by Kenshi Yonezu. A fast-tempo rock song and a good practice piece for beginners.
26eastLinda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTS
Linda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTSplay_arrow
Bass tutorial based on a classic song by The Blue Hearts
27eastSmells Like Teen SpiritNirvana
Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvanaplay_arrow
Explanation of Nirvana's signature songs
28eastAll of the YouthFujifaburikku
All of the YouthFujifaburikkuplay_arrow
This piece is easy to play and suitable for beginners.
29eastTRUE BLUELUNA SEA
TRUE BLUELUNA SEAplay_arrow
“TRUE BLUE,” composed by J from LUNA SEA, is a classic song for beginner bassists.
30eastI should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu
I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsuplay_arrow
A classic Spitz song that portrays youthful growth and hope
31eastThe Zero Sense10-FEET
The Zero Sense10-FEETplay_arrow
10-FEET bass practice songs
32eastmigratory bird[Alexandros]
migratory bird[Alexandros]play_arrow
A powerful song that portrays [Alexandros]'s challenge and departure
33eastcloudy skyDOES
cloudy skyDOESplay_arrow
Famous anime theme songs by DOES
34eastA Little Love SongMONGOL800
A Little Love SongMONGOL800play_arrow
A classic beginner-friendly song by MONGOL800.
35eastRock’n RollLed Zeppelin
Rock'n RollLed Zeppelinplay_arrow
A simple and easy-to-remember classic song
36eastAnother One Bites The DustQueen
Another One Bites The DustQueenplay_arrow
Songs by Queen where the bassline stands out
37eastDon’t say “lazy”Sakurakou Keionbu
Don’t say “lazy”Sakurakou Keionbuplay_arrow
Bass performance guide to K-ON!'s classic song “Don’t say ‘lazy’”
38eastSweet DaysBLANKEY JET CITY
Sweet DaysBLANKEY JET CITYplay_arrow
Blankey Jet City Bass Explanation
39eastWindy DayELLEGARDEN
Windy DayELLEGARDENplay_arrow
Bass explanation of ELLEGARDEN's Kaze no Hi
40eastThe Attitude SongSteve Vai
The Attitude SongSteve Vaiplay_arrow
Steve Vai's polyrhythm etude
41eastKaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy
Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster's Flower Song)Vaundyplay_arrow
Vaundy’s youth anthem
42eastBlue TearsJUDY AND MARY
Blue TearsJUDY AND MARYplay_arrow
Beginner-friendly songs by Judy and Mary
43eastNOT FOUNDMr.Children
NOT FOUNDMr.Childrenplay_arrow
Beginner-friendly bass songs for Mr. Children
44eastSentimentalismUeda Marie
SentimentalismUeda Marieplay_arrow
A rock tune—keep it dynamic without letting the speed get the better of you.
45eastGIVE ME FIVE !AKB48
GIVE ME FIVE !AKB48play_arrow
AKB48's 'GIVE ME FIVE!' is a song that can be performed with a simple rock band setup.
46eastEffeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā
Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbāplay_arrow
Bass performance of Golden Bomber's signature songs
47eastIt’s fine.Urufuruzu
It’s fine.Urufuruzuplay_arrow
Bass lines in Ulfuls songs are simple and fun.
48easta burned-out plainCocco
a burned-out plainCoccoplay_arrow
Basic Bass Phrase Practice Method
49eastMinorityGreen Day
MinorityGreen Dayplay_arrow
Bass practice with Green Day songs
50eastPainkillerJudas Priest
PainkillerJudas Priestplay_arrow
Explanation of bass playing for Judas Priest’s fast songs
51eastpowder snowRemioromen
powder snowRemioromenplay_arrow
Play gently with bass eighth notes
52eastGoodbye, Humanitytama
Goodbye, Humanitytamaplay_arrow
Mastering the basic pattern is essential for slow-tempo songs.
53eastGLAMOROUS SKYNakajima Mika
GLAMOROUS SKYNakajima Mikaplay_arrow
Bass track of the theme song from the movie NANA
54eastEverything other than death is just a scratch.Koresawa
Everything other than death is just a scratch.Koresawaplay_arrow
Performance Technique Guide for Koresawa’s “Everything but Death Is a Mere Scratch”
55eastI don’t wanna die.ichou BOYZ
I don't wanna die.ichou BOYZplay_arrow
Ginzan BOYZ’s crowd-pleasing live song
56eastYou and the summer music festivalSHISHAMO
You and the summer music festivalSHISHAMOplay_arrow
SHISHAMO’s summer festival songs are beginner-friendly and popular
57eastBlack Market Blues9mm Parabellum Bullet
Black Market Blues9mm Parabellum Bulletplay_arrow
If you learn the flow, you can play 9mm’s bass songs.
58eastBilly JeanMichael Jackson
Billy JeanMichael Jacksonplay_arrow
Songs with the same phrase by Michael Jackson
59eastEt ceteraONE OK ROCK
Et ceteraONE OK ROCKplay_arrow
Song commentary for ONE OK ROCK
60eastSince I was littleJUDY AND MARY
Since I was littleJUDY AND MARYplay_arrow
"Chiisana Koro Kara" by JUDY AND MARY is suitable for beginner bassists.
61eastSecret Heart DoctrineONE OK ROCK
Secret Heart DoctrineONE OK ROCKplay_arrow
Simple Song Explanation of ONE OK ROCK
62eastasking for the moonKANA-BOON
asking for the moonKANA-BOONplay_arrow
KANA-BOON 2013 release song
63eastloveHoshino Gen
loveHoshino Genplay_arrow
Practice methods for drama theme songs
64eastEnter SandmanMETTALICA
Enter SandmanMETTALICAplay_arrow
Metallica’s signature song, simple bass
65eastastronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN
astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKENplay_arrow
Explain famous BUMP songs using root-note bass lines
66eastDetroit Rock CityKISS
Detroit Rock CityKISSplay_arrow
Song commentary on an eccentric 60s band
67eastCassisthe GazettE
Cassisthe GazettEplay_arrow
Beginner-friendly bass songs for the GazettE
68eastRock ‘n’ roll won’t stop.Shinsei Kamattechan
Rock 'n' roll won't stop.Shinsei Kamattechanplay_arrow
Explanation of Shinsei Kamattechan’s signature songs
69eastI’ll walk home.Saitō Kazuyoshi
I'll walk home.Saitō Kazuyoshiplay_arrow
Moving Bass Songs by Kazuyoshi Saito
70eastN.G.SASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
N.G.SASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATIONplay_arrow
Introduce easy-to-play songs by ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
71eastNo NewYorkBOØWY
No NewYorkBOØWYplay_arrow
Downpicking songs by legendary bands
72eastStand By MeBen E. King
Stand By MeBen E. Kingplay_arrow
The appeal and characteristics of Stand by Me
73eastParanoidBlack Sabbath
ParanoidBlack Sabbathplay_arrow
Black Sabbath, simple and easy to match
74eastSurroundedDream Theater
SurroundedDream Theaterplay_arrow
Progressive band songs for beginners
75eastMoreEARTHSHAKER
MoreEARTHSHAKERplay_arrow
Japanese Metal Rhythm Practice Piece
76eastSeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire
SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fireplay_arrow
Singing bass of dance music
77eastAll Right NowFree
All Right NowFreeplay_arrow
Andy Fraser's legendary band
78eastHOWEVERGLAY
HOWEVERGLAYplay_arrow
Learn the distinctive groove of the bass in GLAY’s “HOWEVER”
79eastAmerican IdiotGreen Day
American IdiotGreen Dayplay_arrow
Explanation of Green Day’s signature song, American Idiot
80eastKnow Your EnermyGreen Day
Know Your EnermyGreen Dayplay_arrow
Beginner-friendly punk songs by Green Day
81eastDon’t CryGuns N’ Roses
Don't CryGuns N' Rosesplay_arrow
Guns N’ Roses slow ballad performance techniques
82eastThe ChickenJaco Pastorius
The ChickenJaco Pastoriusplay_arrow
Discovering the diversity of Jaco's bass playing
83eastGot The LifeKorn
Got The LifeKornplay_arrow
Korn’s bass songs have easy slap parts
84eastflower burialL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
flower burialL'Arc〜en〜Cielplay_arrow
L'Arc~en~Ciel's 'Kasou' is difficult but educational.
85eastbicycleNICO Touches the Walls
bicycleNICO Touches the Wallsplay_arrow
Nico Touch beginner-friendly bass practice song
86eastSir DukeStevie Wonder
Sir DukeStevie Wonderplay_arrow
You can learn the laid-back (behind-the-beat) feel of Black music
87eastPrimal.THE YELLOW MONKEY
Primal.THE YELLOW MONKEYplay_arrow
THE YELLOW MONKEY reunion
88eastMermaid of ReminiscenceTHE YELLOW MONKEY
Mermaid of ReminiscenceTHE YELLOW MONKEYplay_arrow
A beginner-friendly song at a medium tempo
89eastROCK ME BABYTHE BAWDIES
ROCK ME BABYTHE BAWDIESplay_arrow
Japanese rock where the singer plays bass at the same time
90eastGo for it!Urufuruzu
Go for it!Urufuruzuplay_arrow
Introduce Ulfuls' 1995 hit song.
91easttrend; fashion; vogue; popular; epidemic (context-dependent)Shiina Ringo
trend; fashion; vogue; popular; epidemic (context-dependent)Shiina Ringoplay_arrow
Shiina Ringo's songs are beginner-friendly.
92eastRunning FreeIron Maiden
Running FreeIron Maidenplay_arrow
A song by an ’80s metal band. Perfect for bass practice with triplets and string crossing.
93eastDiamondsPRINCESS PRINCESS
DiamondsPRINCESS PRINCESSplay_arrow
The bass and rhythm in pop songs are difficult.
94eastNew YESSalyu
New YESSalyuplay_arrow
Medium-tempo songs for beginner bass players
95eastROLLING STARYUI
ROLLING STARYUIplay_arrow
YUI songs with an easy-to-play tempo
96eastsilhouetteKANA-BOON
silhouetteKANA-BOONplay_arrow
Explanation of KANA-BOON's 'Silhouette'
97eastIf I sing to the sky175R
If I sing to the sky175Rplay_arrow
Tips for playing youth band songs on bass
98eastOnlyANTHRAX
OnlyANTHRAXplay_arrow
Introduce the representative songs of ANTHRAX
99eastSurvivalGLAY
SurvivalGLAYplay_arrow
Great for Gray’s survival and syncopation practice
100eastWhat You WantJUJU
What You WantJUJUplay_arrow
The bass line is simple, but the rhythm and nuances are important.
101eastcoloring; color scheme; hues; decoration; embellishment; added flair (figurative)Mr.Children
coloring; color scheme; hues; decoration; embellishment; added flair (figurative)Mr.Childrenplay_arrow
Tips for playing Mr.Children’s “Irodori” on bass
102eastMarigoldaimyon
Marigoldaimyonplay_arrow
Aimyon summer love song bass for beginners
103eastRobinsonsupittsu
Robinsonsupittsuplay_arrow
Explanation of performance techniques for Spitz’s signature songs
104eastFluffy TimeSakurakou Keionbu
Fluffy TimeSakurakou Keionbuplay_arrow
Keep the vibe of a punk-style pop song
105eastThick As A BrickJethro Tull
Thick As A BrickJethro Tullplay_arrow
A lyrical band's technical bass phrase
106eastSeeSawTalas
SeeSawTalasplay_arrow
Bass practice piece: octave picking
107eastsick rocksthe telephones
sick rocksthe telephonesplay_arrow
Sick Rocks: Rock songs for beginners