[2026] Practice Songs for Beginner Drummers: Easy and Cool Recommendations
Many people who have just started playing the drums may be wondering which songs they should practice first.
If you don’t know how difficult the song you’re trying to tackle is, it’s hard to make steady progress.
So in this article, we’re introducing songs recommended for beginners who have just taken up the drums—tracks that will help you step up your skills.
We’ve picked a wide range, from the latest hits to timeless classics.
Of course, improvement comes from steady practice and developing your feel and technique, but we’ve also included “I tried playing” videos arranged for beginners, so be sure to use them as a reference!
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[2026] Practice Songs for Beginner Drummers: Easy and Cool Recommendations (71–80)
Linda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTS
If you’re a beginner who’s thinking, “I want to tackle a song where I can play a cool, simple beat even at a fast tempo!”, this track is highly recommended.
True to its punk classic status, the straight-ahead beat sounds great.
However, the BPM is close to 200—quite up-tempo—and for most of the song you’ll be keeping time with eighth notes on the hi-hat or ride cymbal.
For beginners, continuously playing eighth notes with the right hand can be a major hurdle.
That’s why I suggest working on the up-down technique.
This method alternates downstrokes and upstrokes, helping you play fast rhythms cleanly, and because it minimizes unnecessary tension, you’ll be less likely to get fatigued during long sessions.
Another likely challenge for beginners is having to switch between open and closed hi-hat, as well as between the hi-hat and ride cymbal.
Study which part of the stick to use and which area of the cymbal to strike, and practice until you can produce a satisfying sound.
The Theory of HappinessShiina Ringo
One of the signature solo songs by Ringo Sheena, whose popularity is so high she could be called the queen of the J-rock scene.
The tempo isn’t too fast, making it comfortable to play.
In addition to the basic 8-beat, this song’s distinctive groove features a four-on-the-floor snare pattern.
In a standard 8-beat, the snare falls on beats 2 and 4, but in the beat used in the intro and the first verse’s A section, the snare marks each quarter note, with the bass drum filling the spaces between.
This is also a fundamental rock beat, so it’ll be useful as a reference when you play other songs in the future.
Let’s keep learning to play a variety of beats by copying different tracks like this!
SMOKE ON THE WATERDeep Purple
A classic of Western hard rock, Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water.” It’s a staple practice piece for beginner rock guitarists, but it’s also packed with drum phrases perfect for practice—like the crisp hi-hat cymbals marked in sixteenth notes in the intro.
Once you can play it, it comes in handy in all sorts of situations, so it’s definitely a song worth learning.
Ah, geez.Saucy Dog
Overcoming hardships such as all members leaving the band, Saucy Dog—a three-piece rock band that successfully held their first Nippon Budokan concert in 2021—released this as their 10th major-label single.
Chosen as the theme song for the TELASA special drama “Dekinai Futari,” it’s a rock tune with a refreshing melody and airy arrangement that feels great to listen to.
The tempo is relaxed, which might make it sound easy, but there are many accents—such as displaced breaks and snare hits—so care is needed to avoid playing it flat.
Since it doesn’t require difficult techniques, it’s recommended for beginner drummers as well.
In a band setting, be sure to listen closely to the other parts while you play.
MinorityGreen Day
This is a popular song by the globally renowned punk band Green Day.
It features a slightly fast triplet feel, and being able to play it cleanly could be considered the first step out of the beginner stage.
The drums may seem simple at first, but if you listen closely, there are subtle techniques—like opening and closing the hi-hat in the verse—that make it a rewarding track to cover.
OVERDRIVEJUDY AND MARY
“OVERDRIVE,” one of the signature songs by the rock band JUDY AND MARY, who were especially active in the 1990s.
It’s a track brimming with a refreshing vibe and quintessentially rock-band energy.
The drum part is built mainly around a relatively simple 8-beat, making it a song that even beginner drummers can easily take on.
However, the intro and outro use phrases with a slightly different groove, and there’s also a distinctive tom fill right before the chorus, so be sure to practice those sections thoroughly!
Beloved daysyangusukinii
This song is included on Young Skinny’s first EP, “If We Could Feel Happiness in Anything,” by the rock band that’s especially popular among younger generations.
It’s a refreshing, pleasant track that seems like it would really hype up a live crowd.
The key feature of this song is its wealth of beats that unfold in various ways throughout.
In the first verse’s A section, there’s a delicate groove incorporating ghost notes; right before the chorus, a heavy beat combines snare and toms over a floor-tom foundation; in the second verse’s A section, a 16-beat pattern appears; and during the guitar solo, a ride-cup groove comes in.
Each of these beats is highly versatile and shows up in many other songs, so take this opportunity to really get them down solid.
Also, the fill before the chorus, which utilizes hand–foot combinations, looks and sounds great when nailed—so give it some practice!