This is the song you should work on over winter break to improve your guitar skills!
Winter break gives you plenty of time—it’s a great chance to practice guitar and make real progress!
Maybe you’re not only aiming to get better at guitar, but also feeling the urge to dive deeper into music itself.
You might be unsure which songs are effective for practice, or what to play to better understand music, and find yourself stuck.
So in this article, we’ve gathered lots of practice songs we’d love guitar beginners to try!
We’ll focus on songs that even those who just started playing can handle, so be sure to check them out.
These are the songs you should work on over winter break to improve your guitar skills! (1–10)
A Cruel Angel’s ThesisTakahashi Yoko
Released in 1995, this song became the opening theme for the hit TV anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, so most people are probably familiar with it.
The chord progression is simple and easy to understand, making it approachable for beginners to grasp the overall structure.
In particular, the chorus cycles through four chords, allowing you to practice strumming without being constrained by the progression.
The lead guitar often syncs with the melody as well, so it’s recommended even for those who aren’t comfortable reading sheet music.
EntranceASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
Asian Kung-Fu Generation’s “Entrance” is a song with an impressively powerful sound that conveys a positive attitude.
The guitar work centers on strumming power chords, so keep that in mind as you practice.
Muting the other strings and how you strike with the pick are crucial; focus on those to produce a strong, resonant tone.
There are also sections that use different techniques, like palm muting and single-note lines, so switch between them cleanly and build your technique.
CarmineELLEGARDEN
ELLEGARDEN’s “Carmine” features an intense sound that leaves a strong impression—a thrilling track that was also used as the theme song for the anime One Piece.
Since the guitar part mainly uses power chords, how you make them ring is a key point.
If you only strike the strings that are supposed to sound, the tone can lack strength, so be mindful of muting the other strings and positioning your pick so you can hit harder.
There are also sections with palm muting, and once you can play through the whole song, you’ll likely pick up some finer techniques as well.
silhouetteKANA-BOON
KANA-BOON’s “Silhouette” is a song with an impressive, light guitar intro.
That part might seem difficult since it’s played in single notes, but because the same phrase repeats, once you learn the shape, it shows up many times and will help across the whole song.
Many other sections also involve sustaining notes, so the key is to make sure each note rings out clearly.
Practice while thinking about how to play so the sound projects firmly.
The backing part is built around strumming the same chords, so starting there to get a feel for the song’s rhythm is also a good idea.
Merry LouSIX LOUNGE
SIX LOUNGE’s “Mary Lou” is a song where a powerful sound resonates while still conveying a calm atmosphere.
As a three-piece band with a guitar-vocal setup, the guitar parts are kept simple, with chords and gentle single notes.
If you put too much force into your guitar playing, it can affect the vocals, so relaxing your attack may be a key point in shaping the song’s vibe.
It’s important to stay aware of the overall rhythm and make sure each note rings out with intention.
CHAINSAW BLOODVaundy
Vaundy’s “CHAINSAW BLOOD” was chosen as the theme song for the anime Chainsaw Man, and it’s a track marked by a dark, powerful sound.
Since both the single-note phrases and the chords are played on the lower strings, how you mute the other strings is really put to the test.
The frets used are mainly in the lower positions as well, which seems great for practicing finger movement.
Be mindful of how long you let each note ring, and bring out the song’s dark atmosphere to the fullest.
You don’t get it.WurtS
WurtS’s “Wakattenai yo” is a track where bold, powerful sound layers with a languid vocal, conveying a playful vibe.
The guitars feel divided into a chord-playing part and a single-note part, allowing you to focus on each approach separately.
Some chord sections are held, while others are cut off quickly, so your judgment on whether muting is needed will be tested.
For now, it might also help to stay aware of which guitar is taking the lead and experiment with how you let the sound ring out.