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[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 (51–60)

Jet CarrotGO!GO!7188

GO!GO!7188 / 'Jet Ninjin 2010'
Jet CarrotGO!GO!7188

GO!GO!7188 is a three-piece rock band that won fans with songs that fuse a wide range of musical styles with melodies that evoke traditional Japanese vibes.

Their second single, “Jet Ninjin,” sticks in your ears with impactful lyrics and a somewhat nostalgic ensemble.

The bass line moves around a lot, so it’s important to learn it thoroughly—but it’s a perfect new challenge for beginner bassists.

If you also sing the chorus like in the original, the difficulty goes up even further, making it a rock tune that will definitely level you up if you can play it through.

GIVE ME FIVE !AKB48

[MV full] GIVE ME FIVE! / AKB48 [Official]
GIVE ME FIVE !AKB48

It’s quite common for idol group songs to be performed by studio musicians and feature advanced playing techniques.

However, AKB48’s “GIVE ME FIVE!” is arranged like a band-style ensemble, and aside from the horn section, it’s a great pick as a song you can tackle with a straightforward rock band setup.

It’s also known that the selected members practiced extensively and actually performed it as a live band.

As for the bass, the basic approach is root notes, with a slightly more active phrase in the intro—making it a perfect level of difficulty for practice.

Beginner bassists should definitely give it a try!

Since I was littleJUDY AND MARY

JUDY AND MARY were explosively popular in the 1990s, announced their breakup in 2001, and are still talked about today in the Reiwa era as a legendary presence.

Their sound, born from the clash of four members with distinctly different looks and personalities, is catchy yet far from straightforward, and many people likely found it difficult when they tried to cover their songs.

A track I’d recommend with the assumption that you’re a beginner on bass is the 1995 single “Chisana Koro Kara.” It’s a beloved song that was performed even in their later live shows, and a masterpiece of a bittersweet medium-tempo ballad.

Bassist Kaoru Ondo, who also composed the song, sticks to a very simple root-based approach here, making it approachable even if fast, complex fingering is still tough for you.

As for the bold glissando playing before the guitar solo—go all in and nail it with no hesitation!

Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA

LiSA “Gurenge” -MUSIC CLIP YouTube EDIT ver.-
Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA

This is the 15th single by female singer LiSA, written as the opening theme for the TV anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, which became a social phenomenon.

Backed by the anime’s popularity, the song drew huge attention and became a massive hit—you practically couldn’t go a day without hearing it between 2019 and 2020.

The bass line is basically simple root playing, but because there are many unison lines and accent hits with the guitar and drums, it’s important to play without falling behind the tempo.

Be conscious of when to let notes ring and when to cut them off; playing tightly will give the bass more presence.

For beginner bassists, practice with attention to dynamics as well as technique.

[2026] Easy J‑POP and Japanese Rock Picks Recommended for Beginner Bassists (61–70)

RewriteASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION “Rewrite (2016 ver.)”
RewriteASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

This energetic and powerful classic comes from ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, a band that reigns at the pinnacle of the alternative rock scene.

The lyrics, which portray self-expression and inner conflict from a unique perspective, leave a strong impression, while the exhilarating guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and powerful basslines fuse seamlessly into a cohesive track.

Released in August 2004, the song was included on the album Sol-fa and was also used as the opening theme for the fourth season of the anime Fullmetal Alchemist.

Every element of the bassline plays a crucial role, making it a great challenge for anyone wanting to learn the fundamentals of rock.

Its melody is easy to grasp, and it’s a track through which you can practically acquire essential music theory for band performance.

Rolling StarYUI

This is a classic by YUI, known for its energetic rock sound and powerful, positive lyrics.

It also drew attention as the fifth opening theme for the anime BLEACH.

Released in January 2007, the track is included on the album CAN’T BUY MY LOVE.

The way she belts out the importance of expressing one’s feelings while strumming an electric guitar conveys a sense of being torn between ideals and reality, yet still having the strong will to move forward.

The performance difficulty is moderate, making it a perfect choice for bass players who admire band-driven sounds.

The bassline is melodic and striking, so why not give it a try with your bandmates?

Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy

Monster Flower Song / Vaundy [Recommended for Bass Beginners!] [Easy Bass Arrangement Ver.] With Staff & TAB [Bass Cover]
Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster's Flower Song)Vaundy

In May 2020, Vaundy delivered an uplifting anthem of youth that stirs the heart toward a hope-filled future.

Featured on the album “strobo,” the song weaves a story that revisits innocent dreams and passions, using a “song” that lingers in the heart alongside precious memories as its motif.

Its sound—marked by powerful beats and catchy melodies—was also used in commercials for Maruha Nichiro’s WILDish series, and its live-ready energy is a major draw.

It was performed at the 2022 year-end Kohaku Uta Gassen, captivating many listeners.

It’s also great for bass practice; check out practice videos on YouTube and other platforms!

In conclusion

As mentioned at the beginning, the songs selected this time mainly feature tasteful bass lines that are centered on eighth-note root playing along the chord progression, with occasional movement added for flair.

Even with root playing, beginners may find it hard to keep pressing the thicker strings and continue playing, so first slow down the tempo and practice thoroughly on maintaining the rhythm!