[2026] Start with this song! A collection of practice tracks for R&B beginners

sparkleFuji Kaze

Fujii Kaze – Kirari (Official Video)

Composed in May 2021 as the CM song for Honda’s VEZEL, Fujii Kaze’s track brims with a driving energy that evokes dance music from the 1980s to the 1990s.

The lyrics portray moving gracefully through turbulent seasons and emphasize the importance of living with love as one’s driving force.

Because the song makes extensive use of falsetto, its difficulty varies from person to person.

If you’re not comfortable with falsetto, try lowering the key by one and singing it in chest voice.

It’s a highly recommended song for learning modern vocal techniques while also embracing elements of classic soul and R&B.

No ScrubsTLC

TLC – No Scrubs (Official HD Video)

The lead single from FanMail, the late-’90s Atlanta anthem that swept the world, stands as a defining masterpiece of TLC’s career.

Its lyrics, declaring that they won’t date men who aren’t financially or emotionally independent, projected a strong sense of female self-worth that was strikingly aggressive for the time and sparked major buzz upon release.

Dropping in February 1999, it spent four consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won two Grammy Awards.

Over a minimal guitar loop and a midtempo beat, Chilli’s smooth lead vocal intertwines with T-Boz’s husky harmonies, creating a simple yet dimensional blend that feels effortlessly satisfying.

The melody is catchy and easy to sing, making it an ideal practice song for anyone looking to internalize R&B’s groove.

LA LA LA Love SongKubota Toshinobu

Toshinobu Kubota – LA･LA･LA LOVE SONG with NAOMI CAMPBELL [Official Video Short ver.]

This is a single by Toshinobu Kubota, a leading figure in Japan’s R&B scene, released in May 1996.

It was used as the theme song for the Monday 9 p.m.

drama “Long Vacation,” starring Takuya Kimura and Tomoko Yamaguchi, and became a massive hit with total sales of 1.856 million copies.

Using metaphors like a merry-go-round and a pouring rain, it delicately depicts the exhilaration of love and the emotional changes brought about by meeting someone special.

The chorus melody is catchy yet tinged with a certain wistfulness, achieving an exquisite fusion of R&B’s characteristic groove and pop’s accessibility.

The keys are the clarity of the high register and the sense of rhythm, so start by slowly following the melody line.

Try adjusting the key at karaoke to experience Toshinobu Kubota’s sophisticated world of R&B.

No OneAlicia Keys

Alicia Keys – No One (Official Music Video)

Released in September 2007 from her third album “As I Am,” this song spent five consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the U.S.

Billboard Hot 100 and continues to be loved by many as one of Alicia Keys’s signature tracks.

Celebrating unwavering love and trust that never wavers amid surrounding noise and other people’s opinions, it’s a love song imbued with a firm determination to protect the bond between two people no matter what others might say.

Built on a simple piano riff and warm synths, with gospel-style choruses layered on top, the restrained vocal delivery further highlights the song’s message.

With its clear, memorable melody and mid-tempo ballad feel, it’s an ideal practice piece for anyone looking to learn R&B vocal techniques.

Say My NameDestiny’s Child

Destiny’s Child – Say My Name (Official Video)

As one of Destiny’s Child’s signature songs, it was released in 1999 as the third single from the album “The Writing’s on the Wall.” Its dramatic storyline is memorable: a woman calls her boyfriend, suspects infidelity, and presses him to “say my name.” The track deftly weaves R&B-style syncopated 808 drums with ’70s-inspired wah guitar, and features intricate harmonies centered around Beyoncé.

It won two awards at the 2001 Grammys and achieved major commercial and critical success, including reaching No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in its 13th week.

With a relatively accessible melody line and chorus parts well-suited for practice, it’s a recommended pick for those looking to try R&B vocals.

Need You BadSIRUP

Need You Bad

In recent years, SIRUP has been at the forefront of the J-POP scene as an artist crafting contemporary R&B.

This track, which opens the EP “CIY” released in March 2020, was born from a session with producer STUTS and Atsushi Inoue of showmore.

The lyrics portray the conflicting emotions of dependence on a loved one and a yearning for freedom, conveying a mix of heartache and inner struggle.

Its appeal lies in the flow where rap and melody naturally intersect over a hi-hat-driven track, resulting in an urban, sophisticated sound.

By incorporating rap-like delivery into the first verse, you can learn a modern vocal approach that moves seamlessly between R&B and rap.

It’s very challenging, but definitely worth attempting.

WeakSWV

SWV – Weak (Official HD Video)

A signature song by SWV, the female trio that epitomized 1990s R&B, this love ballad poignantly describes the physical reactions of falling in love.

It portrays a woman so captivated by her partner that her knees tremble, her heart races, and she’s left speechless, all set to a slow beat and soulful harmonies.

The track showcases Coko’s soaring high notes and the group’s rich backing vocals, retaining the texture of the New Jack Swing era while shining with a timeless melody.

Released in April 1993 as the third single from their debut album, “It’s About Time,” it spent two consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song was also featured in the film “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.” Though its melody line is simple, it demands Coko’s delicate expressiveness, making it a great recommendation for those wanting to learn R&B phrasing and emotional delivery.