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

Enter SandmanMetallica

Metallica: Enter Sandman (Official Music Video)

They are a quintessential metal band.

Their works have sold over 100 million copies worldwide, yet in their early days—without making music videos during MTV’s heyday and getting little to no radio airplay—they built their fan base the hard way through relentless touring and a long, storied history.

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?

I Don’t Whant To Miss A ThingAerosmith

Aerosmith – I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (Official HD Video)

Like Bon Jovi, they are one of the most successful bands.

I chose a well-known slow number that also became famous from the movie Armageddon.

They are also known for Walk This Way, which served as the original track for an early rap number.

Crazy Little Thing Called LoveQueen

Queen – Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Official Video)

Among Queen’s many complex numbers, I chose a relatively easy song.

Since it follows the basic progression in the key of D, I think it’s easy to play.

Even in Queen’s later live performances, this song was a staple that Freddie Mercury performed while playing the guitar.

NumbLinkin Park

Numb (Official Music Video) [4K UPGRADE] – Linkin Park

You could say they are a band that represents the 2000s.

The album containing this song, Meteora, has sold 10 million copies worldwide.

The vocalist, Chester Bennington, died by suicide in July 2017.

ParanoidBlack Sabbath

BLACK SABBATH – “Paranoid” (Official Video)

One of Black Sabbath’s signature songs and a classic in rock history.

It’s used all over the place in rock-themed movies.

Since it just repeats four basic chords over and over, it’s perfect when you want to play something with a good groove right away.

Get BackThe Beatles

Get Back (Remastered 2009)

Despite their relatively short 10-year run, the Beatles’ songs—timeless classics that remain vibrant even after the band’s breakup—are loved around the world.

This track was born from the “Get Back sessions,” which aimed to return the band to its roots, and it’s a number distinguished by the electric piano tones that color the entire piece and linger in the ear.

With a chord progression that carries a rock ’n’ roll vibe and guitar obbligatos that highlight the vocals, it’s packed with the basics of rock, making it a song every beginner band member should try covering at least once.

On top of being famous, it doesn’t require difficult techniques and the tempo is relaxed, so it’s a number that can easily get a crowd going live.