![[2026] Easy J-Pop and Japanese Rock Songs Recommended for Beginner Bassists](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/423emHW_KZQ/maxresdefault.webp)
[2026] Easy J-Pop and Japanese Rock Songs Recommended for Beginner Bassists
The idea that bass is a plain, background position is a thing of the past.
In fact, there have always been countless stars—both overseas and in Japan—who show us the appeal of low-end with their incredibly cool bass playing.
That said, recent J-POP and Japanese rock often feature complex rhythm patterns, and some of you may have tried picking up the bass only to find it too difficult and ended up giving up.
So this time, we’re introducing classic J-POP and Japanese rock tracks that feature simple yet cool bass lines—perfect for beginner bassists who’ve gotten the basics down and are ready for a challenge.
Master these songs and take the next step beyond beginner!
[2026] Easy J-Pop and Japanese Rock Recommendations for Beginner Bassists (1–10)
Rolling Stone, Morning Falls on You (ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION cover)kessoku bando
Kessoku Band, the band unit that enjoys high popularity as the group featured in the TV anime “Bocchi the Rock!” Their cover of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION’s 11th major single, “Rolling Stone, Morning Falls on You,” stands out with its somewhat airy arrangement and sentimental lyrics.
The bass lines are rooted in basic root-note playing but still move around, making it a perfect practice song for beginner bassists.
It’s a cool rock tune whose distinctly low-end-driven appeal lingers in your ears.
You and the summer music festivalSHISHAMO
As of 2025, the YouTube video has surpassed 30 million views.
Even though it’s a song from over a decade ago, it remains hugely popular through “dance cover” videos and continues to be supported in the Reiwa era as a classic summer tune: SHISHAMO’s masterpiece “Kimi to Natsu Fes.” It’s also a favorite at school festivals, and since it’s arranged with a generally simple band ensemble, it’s a song that even beginner bassists will likely find approachable.
That said, be mindful of the bass line: while it’s rooted in the tonic and driven by a fast tempo with syncopated rhythms, it also moves actively in many places.
Its smooth, driving feel depends on the bass–drum combination, and as a trio, this is a great song to learn the bassist’s unique role.
peace signYonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu’s single “Peace Sign,” released in 2017, was also used as the opening theme for the first cour of Season 2 of the popular anime My Hero Academia, and as of 2025 it has surpassed 310 million views on YouTube—an extremely popular track.
It’s a refreshing, fast-paced rock tune in a major key, and it’s great for band covers.
The bass line is fundamentally simple, mainly root notes, making it an ideal practice piece for beginners to get used to the fast tempo of BPM 200.
The rhythm makes extensive use of so-called syncopation, and phrases that skillfully incorporate rests are also useful for practicing precise alternate picking.
If the fast tempo feels tough, start at a slower tempo and gradually increase your speed!
Trash human, me.yangusukinii
Young Skinny is a four-piece rock band formed via social media around vocalist-songwriter Kayau.
Their song “Gomi Ningen, Ore” (“Trash Human, Me”) from their first album, “If You Put It Into a Song, I Thought You Could Get Away With Anything,” pairs decadent lyrics with a fresh arrangement that seems to make the title stand out even more.
The bass line is rooted in simple root-note playing yet features ear-catching accents, making it easy but still prominent.
It’s a recommended track for beginner bassists who’ve gotten used to root playing or are starting to get bored with just roots.
Windy DayELLEGARDEN
ELLEGARDEN enjoyed immense popularity in Japan’s rock scene of the 2000s.
After becoming a legend during their hiatus, they announced their first return in ten years in 2018, and since then they’ve continued to run at the forefront of the scene as a top band that transcends generations.
Their songs remain hugely popular even today in the Reiwa era as covers at school festivals and the like, and this time we’re introducing an early classic, “Kaze no Hi,” as a track that’s easy for beginner bassists to take on.
The moving Japanese lyrics and melody, along with a sound that’s aggressive yet tinged with melancholy, resonate not only with younger listeners but also with people in their 30s and 40s.
From a bass-playing perspective, it’s fundamentally rooted in playing the root notes, while incorporating melodic phrases that use slides and other techniques throughout, making it a great piece for beginner bassists to study arrangement as well.
Rock ‘n’ roll won’t stop.Shinsei Kamattechan
Since they began their activities in the late 2000s, Shinsei Kamattechan have carved out a unique presence within the 2010s Japanese rock scene, and—helped by the outrageous performances of frontman Noko—have built a fervent fan base.
Their cult popularity is evident in the release of a film inspired by their songs, Shinsei Kamattechan: Rock ’n’ Roll Won’t Stop.
The track that lends its title to the film, Rock ’n’ Roll Won’t Stop, is one of their signature songs, and it’s fresh in our memories that they performed it on THE FIRST TAKE in January 2025, generating a lot of buzz.
The bass part is basically root notes; although a more melodic phrase appears in the chorus, it mostly repeats, so once you learn it, even beginner bassists should be able to play it without trouble.
I want to love you super muchneguse.
Neguse is a four-piece band from Nagoya that has captured the hearts of the younger generation as a popular rock act of the Reiwa era, even successfully headlining a solo show at Nippon Budokan in 2024.
As the title of the song introduced here, “Super Aishitai,” suggests, they’ve earned their popularity through the pure quality of their music: unforced, natural lyrics, a positive and approachable melody line, and a simple yet on-point band ensemble.
They’re especially popular among music-loving teens, and many people likely want to cover their songs with their own bands.
“Super Aishitai” is an ideal track for anyone who wants to practice a so-called shuffle rhythm.
If you’ve mainly been playing 8-beat songs, just locking into the rhythm itself may be a bit challenging, but mastering the kind of groove found in this song is exactly how you grow as a bassist—so stick with it.
The trickiest part is probably the highly active, melodic phrases in the chorus, but for bass lines like these, it’s helpful to play them with the mindset of ‘singing’ the phrase.