[Western Rock Edition] Recommended Practice Songs for Beginner Bands [2026]

Song 2Blur

Blur – Song 2 (Official Music Video)

This is a powerful work in which Blur—champions of British Britpop—pay homage to American grunge and indie rock.

The two-minute-plus track, driven by distorted guitars and improvisational melodies, carries an unmistakably ironic message toward the grunge scene.

Released separately from their 1997 album “Blur,” the song’s simple yet striking sound propelled it to No.

2 on the UK charts.

It was featured across numerous media, including as the theme for the official FIFA World Cup ’98 video game, and in commercials for Inter and Nike.

It’s a recommended pick for rock beginners as well, offering a punkish, exhilarating melody while letting you savor rock history from grunge to Britpop in a single track.

Bloody ValentineMachine Gun Kelly

Machine Gun Kelly – Bloody Valentine [Official Video]

A lead single from Machine Gun Kelly, who hails from Houston, released in May 2020 from his album Tickets to My Downfall.

Listening to this song nostalgically brings back the pop-punk and emo sounds of the 2000s that so many of us grew up with.

The lyrics convey a pessimistic view of an unstable relationship, while also expressing a willingness to open up—if only for one special night.

The intimate, personal fantasies are striking as well.

Bloody Valentine portrays the conflict, frenzy, and pessimism of romance.

Even beginners can take on the rewarding guitar riffs and catchy melodic lines.

The drums—especially the chorus with sixteenth-note hi-hats—are tricky, but if it’s tough, you can fudge it with a standard pattern.

With its driving energy, this song will surely hype up a crowd at a school festival, even if they don’t already know it!

Do I Wanna Know?Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys – Do I Wanna Know? (Official Video)

“Do I Wanna Know?”, a signature track by Arctic Monkeys—the British indie rock band renowned worldwide.

Released as the second single from the album AM, this song pairs a dark, moody sound with lyrics about unstable romantic feelings and a powerful longing to reconnect, making it truly emblematic of the band.

Its distinctive guitar riff and groovy rhythm are the essence of band performance.

For beginners in rock bands, it might be a bit challenging, but since the guitar riff is largely repetitive, if you practice it until it’s second nature, you’ve essentially got the whole song.

Mastering this will undoubtedly help you grow as a guitarist—so give it a try!

Seven Nation ArmyThe White Stripes

The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army (Official Music Video)

A signature track by The White Stripes, characterized by its powerful riff and minimal sound.

Released by the American rock duo in February 2003, the song is included on their fourth album, Elephant.

Its lyrics, depicting a strong resolve to stay true to one’s will despite external pressure and criticism, resonated with many listeners.

The track won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song and the MTV Video Music Award for Best Editing.

Embraced across the global sports scene, it is also widely used as a chant at international soccer tournaments.

With its simple yet clear chord progression and rhythmic pattern, it’s a highly recommended piece for those learning the basics of band performance.

Don’t Look Back In AngerOasis

Oasis – Don’t Look Back In Anger

A rock band whose songs, openly respectful of the Beatles and deeply influenced by them, won support worldwide: Oasis.

This track features catchy, lyrical melodies and an arrangement that brings those melodies to the forefront, making it a very pleasant listen.

The guitar is played mostly with strumming, and the obbligato that appears in the middle of the song isn’t fast, so with a calm approach it’s easy to copy.

The drums change rhythm patterns according to the song’s development and sections, but once you’ve learned the structure, there are no difficult phrases, making it easy for beginner drummers to replicate as well.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Pumped Up KicksFoster The People

Foster The People – Pumped Up Kicks (Official Video)

We’re introducing a signature track by the American indie band Foster the People, known for their catchy melodies and indie-pop sound.

Characterized by its brisk rhythm and hum-along hooks, this piece was crafted by Mark Foster in just five hours in September 2010.

Featured on the album Torches, it became a massive hit, spending eight consecutive weeks at No.

3 on the Billboard chart in 2011.

Its melodic tune has been used in the TV drama Entourage and has won popularity across a wide audience.

With its simple chord progression and memorable melody line, it’s an ideal song for learning basic band arrangement and performance.

LithiumNirvana

Nirvana – Lithium (Official Music Video)

A track from the three-piece band Nirvana—often cited as the epitome of grunge—that brought their name to worldwide recognition on their second album, Nevermind.

The song unfolds with striking guitar and bass phrases, and because the tempo is slow and the parts themselves are simple, beginner band members can learn it easily.

The drum parts often feature patterns that feel a bounce, with snare and kick coming in on the off-beats, so it’s a bit different from a straightforward 8-beat.

However, if you practice steadily from an even slower tempo than the song itself and learn it securely, you can pick it up quickly.

Also, if you perform with a conscious emphasis on the dynamic contrast between the verses and the chorus, you can create a vibe closer to the original—so why not try playing it with that in mind?

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Hoshino Takashi

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