[Western Rock Edition] Recommended Practice Songs for Beginner Bands [2025]

The House of the Rising SunThe Animals

House of the Rising Sun

They’re a band that epitomized the British Invasion of the ’60s.

Although they’re from the UK, many of their songs have a strong blues influence, and this track is also a cover of an American folk song.

Their member Chas Chandler is also famous for discovering Jimi Hendrix.

When Doves CryPrince

Prince When Doves Cry Backwards

The first single from the soundtrack to the movie that launched Prince, Purple Rain, and his first major hit.

It uses only four chords.

Unless you sing it like Prince, it’s hard to make it listenable, but the playing itself is easy.

Get it onT-REX

T. Rex – Get It On [Lyrics] [HD]

One of the most famous songs for its riff in rock history.

As its writer, Marc Bolan, mentioned in an interview, the riff was influenced by Chuck Berry.

The overall structure of the song is very simple—great for beginners.

All The Small Thingsblink-182

blink-182 – All The Small Things (Official Music Video)

A standout track by blink-182, a three-piece band regarded as one of the defining acts of the pop-punk genre and widely supported by younger rock fans.

From an intro that strums a classic punk vibe with a modern guitar sound to a poppy chorus that almost makes you forget they’re a punk band, the cohesion and polish of this number are exceptional.

Since it mainly uses basic techniques—power chords on guitar, root notes on bass, and a simple 8-beat on drums—it’s a song that beginner bands should find easy to cover.

The catchy chorus is guaranteed to fire up the crowd at live shows.

Born in the U.S.A.Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen – Born in the U.S.A. (Official Video)

A smash hit by Springsteen.

In addition to this, the album of the same name produced a string of number-one hits.

Amazingly, the song uses only two chords.

Among the countless hit songs out there, it’s rare to find one with so few chords.

It’s easy to play, but it falls apart if the vocals are weak.

Bad Moon RisingCreedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival: Bad Moon Rising

One of CCR’s hit singles, it reached No.

2 on the Billboard chart.

John Fogerty, who wrote most of the group’s songs, is a rock ’n’ roll songwriting genius, and here again he uses just three chords.

Not only this song but CCR numbers in general make great practice for anyone aiming to start a band.

JambalayaHank Williams

Hank Williams, Sr JAMBALAYA

The Carpenters’ pop version was a hit in Japan, but the song was originally a country tune by Hank Williams.

Since it uses only two chords, it’s perfect for practice.

There are many covers as well, which can serve as useful references for arranging.