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This is the song you should work on over winter break to improve your guitar skills!

A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.
Live Spot LugHirata Hiroyasu
I’m Hiroyasu Hirata from Live Spot RAG. When I was 15, I was blown away by how cool music—especially rock—was, and I started playing guitar and formed a band. I’m from Kochi Prefecture, where there weren’t many live houses or concert venues, so there were few opportunities to experience live music. Back then, our sources of information were magazines, CDs, and even VHS tapes (!?). Still, I was captivated by the sparkle of music, and I spent my days enjoying guitar and music, mostly neglecting my studies. I moved to Kyoto for university and “graduated” from the light music club, so to speak (laugh). Until then, I mainly listened to Japanese rock and Western hard rock, but thanks to seniors and peers I learned there was so much more music in the world. Now I listen to anything that strikes me as good, regardless of genre. After graduating, I joined RAG. After about six years in the office and about ten years in the music studio, I now work at the long-established Live Spot RAG, which has been around for 39 years, mainly handling promotions. Being exposed to the “real music” performed by Japan’s top musicians and delivering it to our audience lets me feel the brilliance of music anew every day. I still play guitar and keep a band going casually, and in recent years I’ve even started singing—better late than never. I’ve fully become an old guy by now, but I hope we can continue to chase “what lies beyond the dreams I painted with music back then” together.

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! (61–70)

BoyhoodInoue Yosui

Boyhood / Yosui Inoue

BoyhoodInoue Yosui

Yosui Inoue’s “Shonen Jidai” (Boyhood) is a quintessential Japanese summer standard released in 1990.

It was created as a movie theme song.

With its relaxed tempo and nostalgic, beautiful melody, it gently sings of the longing we all feel for days gone by.

It’s a classic so renowned that it has even been included in school textbooks.

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I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu

Walk looking up Sakamoto Kyu — with lyrics

I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu

How about Kyu Sakamoto’s “Ue o Muite Arukou”? Overseas, it’s known by the title “Sukiyaki” and has been covered by many famous artists.

Try learning to play this iconic Japanese song that became a worldwide hit!

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Don’t say “Lazy”Sakurakou Keionbu

Don’t say “lazy”

Don't say "Lazy"Sakurakou Keionbu

A song used as the ending theme for the anime K-On!.

Since the guitar phrases themselves don’t have any particularly difficult parts, it’s an easy number for beginner guitarists to try.

There are tight, coordinated sections for the whole band, making it perfect as a practice piece for a band as well.

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Hoshino Takashi

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dragonflyNagabuchi Tsuyoshi

dragonfly

dragonflyNagabuchi Tsuyoshi

“Tonbo” by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi, an artist famed for his tremendous charisma.

The song can mostly be played by repeating chords like Em and D, making it great for beginners.

A slightly tricky chord, Gsus4, does appear, but not very often—so use this song to get comfortable with it!

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Song of the WheelsBUMP OF CHICKEN

BUMP OF CHICKEN 'Song of the Wheels'

Song of the WheelsBUMP OF CHICKEN

The eighth single by the rock band BUMP OF CHICKEN.

It’s a track characterized by fast, country-style chord strumming on the guitar.

Most of the chords used are simple, so it should be approachable for beginner guitarists.

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Hoshino Takashi

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