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Level up over summer break! Practice songs recommended for guitarists

We’ve researched guitar practice songs by blending a variety of genres—from globally famous hit tracks to Japanese rock and pop.

You might have a hard time choosing since every song is popular.

In that case, it might be best to pick something you’re already familiar with! While we focused on selections for beginners to intermediate players, some challenging songs are included as well.

If you carefully work your way through the songs listed in this article from top to bottom, your guitar skills are sure to improve!

Level up over summer vacation! Recommended practice pieces for guitarists (41–50)

Out-of-place HummingbirdUNISON SQUARE GARDEN

[UNISON SQUARE GARDEN] Out-of-Place Hummingbird [Tried Playing It as a Band]
Out-of-place HummingbirdUNISON SQUARE GARDEN

I think it’s the second most famous song by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN.

Everything except the solo is easy and cool! It takes a little time to get used to, but once you do, it’s really just the solo and the single-note part in the middle of the final chorus.

It’s also a perfect song to play as a band.

If you keep a delay effect on until the latter half of the solo, it stands out incredibly! Definitely try it at an outdoor summer live show!

Level Up This Summer! Recommended Practice Songs for Guitarists (51–60)

powder snowRemioromen

Remioromen – Powder Snow (Music Video Short ver.)
powder snowRemioromen

Remioromen, a three-piece rock band that gained popularity with songs that fuse a wide range of sounds without sticking to a fixed band setup.

Their major 7th single, “Konayuki,” which was used as an insert song in the TV drama One Litre of Tears, is now beloved as a signature winter number in the J-pop scene.

The guitar part is mostly chord strumming with no solo, making it easy to play; however, if you try to sing like in the original, you need to keep your playing from being swayed by the vocal accents.

If you practice over summer vacation, you can even perform it at a winter show—so why not give it a try?

Spot the differenceSuda Masaki

Masaki Suda 'Machigai Sagashi' (Spot the Difference)
Spot the differenceSuda Masaki

Masaki Suda, who rose to popularity as a young actor and is now actively pursuing his career as an artist, has a song called “Machigai Sagashi.” If you use a capo, the chords become simpler, making it a good recommendation for beginner guitarists.

There are many different chords that appear, so it might be tough for absolute beginners, but for those who’ve learned the basic chords, it’s just the right level of difficulty.

Stone Cold BushRed Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stone Cold Bush
Stone Cold BushRed Hot Chili Peppers

A song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers—known in Japan by the abbreviation “Recchiri”—whose total sales exceed 80 million worldwide.

Featured on their fourth album, Mother’s Milk, it’s a track that raises the energy with a quintessentially RHCP funky ensemble.

From the thrilling guitar riffs to the loose yet technically adept guitar solo that makes heavy use of tapping, it’s a number where not only the playing difficulty but also the sense of groove is crucial.

Especially when playing as a band, the parts tend to fall out of sync, so be sure to practice with a strong sense of timing as well as fingerings.

Funny Bunnythe pillows

Up-tempo songs are great for summer, but how about switching things up with a slightly mellow ballad? The hallmark of this piece is the indescribable depth it brings to the guitar solo when you play with a somewhat bold effect.

Once you learn this offbeat approach, it will definitely broaden your range of performance!

Circle GameGalileo Galilei

Like Aoi Shiori, this song’s backing and lead parts intertwine nicely.

It’s possible to play it alone, but it’s difficult and might make you want to give up.

Since it’s basically made up of arpeggios and bridge muting, using a pick thicker than 1 mm will probably make it easier.

A crunch tone is used on the final chords.

It seems to have disappeared.THE ORAL CIGARETTES

THE ORAL CIGARETTES “Kietamitai” (Live on 2022-10-22 at “PARASITE DEJAVU 2022,” Saitama Super Arena)
It seems to have disappeared.THE ORAL CIGARETTES

The Oral Cigarettes are a rock band that not only headline their own shows but also frequently appear at festivals, drawing a lot of attention.

“Kietamitai” is the B-side to one of their signature songs, “Kyouran Hey Kids!!,” and it’s a great track for training your sense of rhythm.

The verse has a very distinctive rhythmic phrasing, so you’ll improve faster if you play while really feeling the rests.

The chorus uses simple octave playing, so be sure to use it for practicing that technique as well.