[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!
- Practice songs for beginner electric bass players
- [Practice!] Practice Songs for Beginner Bassists During Spring Break
- [Low End] A Collection of Japanese Songs Featuring Standout Bass Solos [2026]
- [2026] For Band Beginners! Recommended Songs from Popular Bands That Get the Crowd Going at Live Shows
- Recommended songs for beginner band members by instrument
- Recommended songs for beginner bands: simple and crowd-pleasing tracks.
- [Low End] A collection of Japanese songs with high-difficulty bass parts [Cool]
- [2026] Practice Songs for Beginner Drummers: Easy and Cool Recommendations
- Recommended Songs for Beginner Bands at School Culture Festivals
- [Rock] Easy Band-Style Vocaloid Songs for Beginners [Simple]
- Western songs with cool bass lines: classic and popular tracks recommended for bassists
- [For Beginners] Recommended Songs for Female Vocal Bands: Great for Choosing Your Setlist! [2026]
- Packed with slap groove vibes! A collection of songs with cool bass
[2026] Easy J‑POP and Japanese Rock Recommendations for Beginner Bassists (41–50)
Shanghai HoneyORANGE RANGE
This is the second single by ORANGE RANGE, a five-member rock band from Okinawa known for their party tunes featuring triple vocals.
Despite having no tie-in, it was the song that made ORANGE RANGE widely known, and it’s also recognized as a karaoke staple.
While there are no particularly difficult phrases, it’s important to play without drifting from the chords or beat, as there are hits that sync with the vocal melodies and a key change in the middle.
Although it’s an upbeat track, the tempo isn’t actually that fast, making it a good recommendation for beginner bassists.
You don’t listen to rock.aimyon
Aimyon is a singer-songwriter whose nostalgic songs featuring acoustic guitar captivate a wide range of listeners.
Her major-label third single, “Kimi wa Rock wo Kikanai” (“You Don’t Listen to Rock”), is known as one of her signature tracks, boasting over 300 million streams.
The bass line is basically root notes, but there are some intricate phrases, so make sure to learn them thoroughly before playing with a band.
Since the tempo is relaxed, try to play in a way that supports and blends with the vocals.
Messenger from Sunday↑THE HIGH-LOWS↓
↑THE HIGH-LOWS↓ is a four-piece rock band formed around two core members from THE BLUE HEARTS, the legendary rock band.
Their song “Messenger From Sunday,” included on their first album THE HIGH-LOWS, is a track with numerous tie-ins, starting with serving as the ending theme for the variety show “Downtown no Gottsu Ee Kanji.” The bassline itself isn’t difficult, but be careful: if you don’t lock in tightly with the drum beat, the song’s cohesion will suffer.
Also, since the track runs over six minutes, aim for steady, consistent playing from start to finish.
I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu
This heartwarming song, set to a dreamy melody filled with kindness and hope, tells of youth, growth, and the wish for self-realization.
In the poetic lyrics penned by Masamune Kusano, frontman of Spitz, the image of adolescence emerges—eager to move forward with pure resolve, even while burdened by immaturity and anxiety.
Released in April 1994, it was later chosen as the theme song for Fuji TV’s drama “Hakusen Nagashi,” which began airing in January 1996, and became a million-selling hit that earned the band their first No.
1 on the Oricon weekly chart.
Featuring melodic guitar and crystalline vocals, the track also appears on the album “Sora no Tobikata” and continues to be loved across generations.
It’s a great choice for anyone starting out on bass—give it a try!
Don’t Say LazyHōkago Tī Taimu
K-On!, an anime that gained such popularity in the late 2000s to early 2010s that it could be called a social phenomenon, inspired many aspiring young musicians.
The songs by the in-story band Ho-kago Tea Time were released on CD, became hits on the Oricon charts, and sparked a wave of “I tried playing it” videos.
Many K-On!-related tracks require advanced performance skills, and there were surely many people who tried playing them and gave up because they were too difficult.
The hugely popular song introduced here, “Don’t Say ‘Lazy,’” features a bass line that’s largely root-note based and relatively simple in arrangement, making it approachable even for beginner bassists.
The phrases that make effective use of rests rely on open strings, so be sure to focus on muting properly to prevent unwanted noise.
If you’re struggling with the melodic phrase in the middle section, start by slowing the tempo and practicing at an easier speed.
The 2/4 measure that appears right before the final chorus is an important part where the bass steps into the spotlight, so do your best to nail that section as well!
