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[2026] Easy J-Pop and Japanese Rock Songs Recommended for Beginner Bassists

[2026] Easy J-Pop and Japanese Rock Songs Recommended for Beginner Bassists
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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.

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!

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.

9mm Parabellum Bullet

9mm Parabellum Bullet – Black Market Blues
9mm Parabellum Bullet

This is a track by 9mm Parabellum Bullet featuring a powerful sound and a bouncy rhythm that leaves a strong impression.

The key point is its danceable groove despite the tension, with the bass exhibiting a crisp attack that locks in with the drums.

Although the sound is constantly driving, being mindful of how notes are cut off enhances the overall sense of groove.

The arrangement alternates between sections that align with the guitar and sections that align with the drums, so playing in a way that highlights how the other instruments are voiced is crucial.

LinkNEW!L’Arc〜en〜Ciel

L’Arc~en~Ciel「Link」-Music Clip-
LinkNEW!L'Arc〜en〜Ciel

The exhilarating rock number “Link” is a crowd-pleaser at L’Arc~en~Ciel’s live shows.

The bass centers on a fast 8-beat tempo, and the chorus expands the range, making it good practice for position shifts.

It requires producing even notes and serves as solid training to improve coordination between the right and left hands.

The chord progression is easy to grasp, and repeated playing helps build stability.

It’s also well-suited for beginner bass practice to get used to speed.

You don’t get it.NEW!WurtS

WurtS – You Don’t Get It (Official Audio)
You don't get it.NEW!WurtS

“Wakattenai yo,” with its pleasantly bouncy beat, features a bass line that underpins Wurts’s pop sound with rich low end.

While centered on root notes, it also brings in tight rhythmic subdivisions and octave jumps, making it great fundamental practice for steady right-hand picking and left-hand position shifts.

Because the rests placed over a four-on-the-floor groove can make or break the feel, it’s also ideal for sharpening your sense of rhythm.

By locking into the tempo and repeating the line, you can internalize the groove—making this a perfect practice piece for beginner bassists.

ScarecrowNEW!the pillows

Amid its razor-sharp guitar sound, the low end forms the core—“Scarecrow” is a track where you can feel the quintessential the pillows rock drive.

The bass centers on an 8-beat feel, forcefully hitting the root notes along the chord progression.

With its medium tempo, the phrases are easy to follow, making it good practice for steady right-hand picking and left-hand position shifts.

Let the notes ring fully and focus on supporting the whole band to raise the overall polish.

It’s also a great pick when you want to bring out a strong sense of groove in your performance.