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

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!

It’s My LifeBon Jovi

Bon Jovi – It’s My Life (Official Music Video)

A song by Bon Jovi, a rock band with worldwide fame as one of America’s representative hard rock acts.

With its heavy arrangement and catchy melody, it became a global hit, and in Japan it’s a track you often hear on variety shows and the like.

The driving feel of the melody makes it seem fast, but the actual tempo isn’t that quick, so it’s approachable even for beginner band members.

The guitar solo is also short and not very note-dense, making it easy for novice guitarists to copy.

Simple yet famous worldwide, it’s a song that’s sure to get the crowd going if you play it live.

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.

She Looks So Perfect5 Seconds of Summer

5 Seconds of Summer – She Looks So Perfect

Five Seconds of Summer are a four-piece pop-rock band from Australia.

Thanks to their good looks they’re sometimes labeled a boy band, but they’re a bona fide band who play their instruments and write their own songs.

Their debut track is a fresh, catchy number with a 2000s emo-to-pop-punk vibe that influenced all the members.

The lyrics portray youthful romance and a longing for freedom, singing of the glow of youth and the desire to break free from constraints.

It’s a song that teenage beginners who’ve just started band practice will likely want to try playing.

Released in 2014, this memorable first single is a must-check.

Are You Gonna Go My WayLenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz – Are You Gonna Go My Way (Official Music Video)

Guided by an exhilarating guitar riff and bursting with a powerful performance, this 1993 single still captivates rock fans today.

Co-written by American artist Lenny Kravitz and guitarist Craig Ross, the track radiates a unique appeal while channeling influences from Jimi Hendrix and Prince.

It spent six consecutive weeks at No.

1 in Australia and was also used as the opening theme for the PlayStation 2 game Gran Turismo 3: A-spec.

With its simple yet catchy structure, it’s perfect for practicing basic guitar and drum rhythm patterns.

Its thrilling progression and groovy sound make it an ideal piece for fully experiencing the essence of band performance.

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!

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.