[Enka] Songs that are easy to sing even for those who are tone-deaf [Female singers edition]
As you’d expect, enka requires strong vocal ability and expressive power no matter the song, so people who consider themselves tone-deaf may give up before even trying, thinking, “It’s impossible for me…” That said, there are quite a few enka songs that are relatively easy to sing, or that you can power through on vibe even if you can’t sing them perfectly.
So this time, we’re introducing songs that are easy for tone-deaf singers to tackle—or that you can still enjoy and use to liven up a karaoke session even if you don’t nail them.
In addition to ease of singing, we’ve picked tracks with a strong kayōkyoku flavor that, as mentioned, you can carry with your energy.
For example, try singing just the famous chorus, or have fun by getting creative—like doing a duet with a friend!
- [For Beginners] Recommended Enka Classics for Karaoke — Women Singers Edition
- [Enka] Songs That Are Easy to Sing Even for the Tone-Deaf [Male Singer Edition]
- [2026] Easy Enka Songs for Karaoke: Recommended Picks — Women Singers Edition
- [2026] Amazing if you can sing them! Enka Masterpieces [Women Singers Edition]
- [2026] Easy-to-Sing Enka: From Classic Masterpieces to Recent Hits [Female Singers Edition]
- A roundup of leading female enka singers representing the Showa era
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- [Asian Songstress] A Collection of Teresa Teng’s Easy-to-Sing Songs
- [For Women] Masterpiece Enka Songs with a High Degree of Difficulty
- Queen of Enka: A roundup of Aki Yashiro’s easy-to-sing songs
- [2026] Recommended for those who find high notes difficult! Enka by male singers that you can sing in a low register
- [Queen of Enka] A Collection of Easy-to-Sing Songs by Sayuri Ishikawa [2026]
- [Enka First Year] A Collection of Easy-to-Sing Songs by Yoko Nagayama [2026]
[Enka] Easy-to-sing songs even for the tone-deaf [Female singers edition] (11–20)
Kawachi Otoko-bushiNakamura Mitsuko
It’s a big hit by Mitsuko Nakamura, infused with fiery spirit and passion.
This song, which powerfully portrays the way of life of the men of Kawachi, was released in June 1989 and gradually gained popularity.
With its regionally rich lyrics and powerful vocals, it became a major hit, selling 80,000 copies in the Kansai area alone over six months.
It’s also a staple at summer festivals and Bon Odori in the Kansai region, beloved by people of all ages.
Even those who aren’t great singers can enjoy it by, for example, just singing the chorus with friends.
Why not try it when you want to liven up a karaoke session or when you need a boost of energy?
evening drinkNakamura Mitsuko
Mitsuko Nakamura’s poignant classic “Banshaku” (Evening Drink).
While she is renowned for her “man’s songs,” this piece is especially known as one of her most popular in that style.
True to Nakamura’s roots in the Kawachi Ondo tradition, the song primarily employs the hiccup technique, which flips the voice.
The ornamentation (kobushi) that uses this hiccup is less difficult than that of typical enka, resulting in a vocal line that’s easier for beginners to sing.
In addition, the tempo is particularly slow even among her works, and there are well-placed rests before executing the kobushi, which also makes it easier to perform.
From Kyoto to HakataTanaka Aimi
Kyoto kara Hakata made is a memorable piece with a full-fledged enka style suffused with melancholy.
Among Aimi Tanaka’s songs, this one especially emphasizes the low register, with the A melody sustaining low tones that make use of overtones.
The overall range isn’t very wide, so it’s by no means a difficult song; however, if you want to bring out its charm to the fullest, align the key around the A melody rather than the chorus.
Mixing in as much breath as if your lungs were being squeezed makes it easier to acquire overtones, so why not practice that technique while working on this song?
Ishikari ElegyTanaka Aimi
Although Aimi Tanaka is strongly associated with kayōkyoku, she’s also outstanding at enka, partly because she’s a disciple of Takashi Hosokawa.
Among her enka-style songs, the one I especially recommend is Ishikari Banka.
It’s authentic enka, but rather than relying on detailed techniques like kobushi, it showcases fundamental vocal skills—such as overtones and dynamics—so the vocal line itself isn’t too difficult.
There are several instances of a slightly flipped tone that’s somewhat similar to the hiccup technique, so keep that in mind when you sing.
OrigamiIchikawa Yukino
Overall, Ichikawa-san gives the impression of singing quietly, so breathing is key.
If you sing while exhaling a little—like pronouncing ha, hi, fu, he, ho—you’ll get a breathy tone.
The important point then is to engage your lower abdomen (tanden) and project a bit more so your voice doesn’t fade.
That way, the words will be clearly heard.
The pitch rises to C5 right before the chorus, so make sure to add strong accents there! While enka often features vocal ornamentation (kobushi), this song is sung softly, so I think it’s better for the phrase endings to fade out rather than be held.
Still, articulate the final words clearly.
Overall, the melody isn’t high; if anything it’s on the lower side, which might make it harder for women to find the pitch.
If you raise your hand to eyebrow level and imagine sending your voice there, your pitch will stabilize.
Be careful throughout not to let your pitch drop as you sing.
The Ephemeral WomanIchikawa Yukino
Utakata no Onna, a signature song by Yukino Ichikawa included on the album Yukino Ichikawa Recital 2023: Sonosaki no Hajimari.
While Yukino Ichikawa often sings pop-style numbers, this piece is crafted as a full-fledged enka.
Even so, it’s not difficult; the highly advanced kobushi with repeated, intricate pitch rises and falls—often heard in her songs—hardly appear here.
The ornamentation mainly stays within 1–3 note movements, and the overall range is on the narrow side, so women accustomed to singing enka should be able to perform it without issue.
[Enka] Songs That Are Easy to Sing Even for the Tone-Deaf [Female Singers Edition] (21–30)
Farewell SongIchikawa Yukino
Beloved by many fans as a tear-jerking masterpiece, Yukino Ichikawa’s signature song “Nagori-uta.” While it’s a piece that evokes melancholy in an enka style, if you pay attention to the finer details, you’ll notice it’s actually closer to Showa-era kayōkyoku than to traditional enka.
In fact, techniques associated with enka—such as kobushi ornamentation—are used sparingly, and the enka flavor is largely limited to the melody.
The vocal range isn’t particularly wide either, making it a song that anyone can tackle with ease.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.