If you are just starting out on the bass guitar, learning easy songs is a great way to build your skills. In this blog post, we will discuss 5 of the easiest bass guitar songs for beginners.
These songs are beginner-friendly and will help you develop your playing technique as well as many other bass guitar basics that you’ll need to know. So, if you are looking for some simple tunes to get started with, grab your bass, a good bass chord chart and read on!
Introduction a foreword: Easy Bass Guitar Songs for Beginners
In this day and age, it seems like everyone is a beginner at something. If you are new to the bass guitar, don’t worry – you are in good company!
We’ve got you covered with this list of songs every bass player should know. This bass playlist has country bass lines, funny bass songs and rock songs with lots of bass.
Learning how to play this instrument can be a lot of fun, and there are plenty of easy songs out there that will help you get started. In this blog post, we will discuss five of the easiest bass guitar songs for beginners.
These tunes are beginner-friendly and will help you develop your playing technique. And you can study them as closely as you want. If you just want to learn the bass lines (mistakenly some times these are called the bass guitar chord progressions but this is incorrect. The bass plays part of a chord most commonly but not the entire chord itself so the idea of bass chord progressions isn’t accurate) then that’s fine.
However, if you do want to go deeper, study the theory, learn the chord progressions, then there’s a lot of value in that too.
We’re going to look at all sorts of music. Easy bass songs, easy metal bass songs. Basically, we’ll be spending our time on cool songs to learn on bass.
So, if you are looking for some simple tunes to get started with, read on!
Why Should You Learn These Songs
As a teacher, I’m a very strong believer that a student should learn a song for a reason and this means that I often recommend songs that are not just fun to learn but also teaches some sort of important skill.
I talk about this concept more in this video.
As you’ll see when you go through this list, this is a little like the moral at the end of a fable. Yes, just like the songs, these stories are entertaining in and of themselves but the reason they stick with us our whole lives is that they teach us something.
They give us wisdom and value that help us navigate our lives for years to come.
Playing bass is really no different. As an aspiring bassist you might learn a very popular song just because you like it.
However, that song might also challenge you to develop your technique or serve as a vehicle to learn about a new scale of theoretical concept.
This is incredibly common for beginner bassists so my advice would be just to embrace this all as part of the journey.
Are you ready to start?
This is a question a lot of beginners ask. It’s very common to think that “you’re not ready” to learn a certain song or that the song you like is “more for intermediates” but the truth is, you’ll never be ready to learn these songs. In fact, if you were, you’d probably know them already.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying there’s no such thing as good beginner bass songs because there are. This article is packed full of easy bass songs!
Rather, what I’m trying to say is that it’s often better to just get your hands dirty and start learning.
Focus on the feedback you’ll get from your teacher, make sure you practice and you’ll be playing iconic bass riffs in no time.
So, with all that now said and done, which easy bass songs should you start with?
“With or Without You” by U2
Despite their Irish punk rock roots, U2 found international success with universally emotive music such as “With or Without You”. 35 years from the original release, this song continues to find its way into mainstream culture and we are reminded of its timeless quality.
Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that the song structure is like an early variation of Pachelbels’ Canon where the bass pound out a constant 4 note pattern while guitarist The Edge offers you an opacity of cloudy guitars.
Learning this simple yet powerful bass riff will get your fingers working (or your pick technique if you learn it that way) and it will also help develop your sense of timing.
The playing is simple in this song but it perfectly demonstrates one of the most important bass playing lessons in all of rock music.
Keep good time.
“Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson
If you’re looking to discover the groove, you can look at Michael Jackson’s archive, particularly Thriller. Jackson pumped hit after hit and he did know talent.
Despite not playing instruments, if he did, he could have played the instrument himself. And this also led him to work alongside many guitarists, such as the Slash, Steve Lukather, and Eddie Van Halen.
The bass line in Smooth Criminal is an absolutely iconic piece, and all bass players must strive in learning the technique. This song combines a fast sixteenth note with a tense tempo.
However, a 125 bpm tempo makes it less difficult for beginners to attempt.
Money by Pink Floyd
Click Here to hear Money by Pink Floyd. A group famous for sitting in the progressive genre isn’t a perfect fit for beginner’s songs. However, Pink Floyd’s catalog is rather diverse and caters to all ages of players.
Money is the first single of the hit album ‘The dark side of the moon’. This song flirts between progressive blues and progressive rock.
Although this song may be an easy challenge for an experienced musician you’ll be aware that it includes strange time signatures such as 7/4 and 3/4.
Please watch this video for some helpful tips about counting these odd time signatures and remember to use the metronome when practicing.
Smells like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
It is Nirvana’s biggest single from their Nevermind Album. It has reached an unprecedented international top ten and is ranked among the best songs of all time.
The song features a strong primary riff and a strong chorus and is, therefore, a good opportunity for beginners to simply rock out.
Because the song is so repetitious, it’s really easy to memorise. In fact the entire bass line (apart from a short riff after the chorus) is made up of only four notes which you can hear in the verse as the bass and drums are the only instruments that back the vocals.
You Really Got Me by The Kinks
You Really Got Me is one of the first songs that beginner bass guitarists learn and it’s easy to see why.
This song was originally written on an acoustic guitar by Ray Davies and then transferred onto an electric bass line. The riff is simple, catchy, and fun!
The chords are also basic which will make learning this song a breeze for beginner bass players.
Focus on making sure you can play the riff cleanly, with good technique and a solid tone.
Playing bass in a song like this is all about aggression and power so there’s nowhere to hide with a weak tone.
Three Little Birds by Bob Marley
This song is a feel-good acoustic reggae song that was written by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.
The bass line in this song is incredibly simple which makes it perfect for beginner bass guitarists. It’s also a great opportunity to practice your fingerstyle technique.
Make sure you can play the notes cleanly and with a good, laid-back feel before attempting to play the bass line along to the recording.
Once you have mastered the bass line, try adding some of your own embellishments to really make the song your own!
This is a great way to make your practice more creative and fun.
“Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down
This song is perfect for beginner bass players who are looking to learn a simple, yet effective, rock groove.
The main riff in this song is very easy to play and only uses two notes. The key to playing this riff effectively is to make sure you can keep a steady pulse while you’re playing it.
Once you have the hang of the main riff, try adding some variations to it to make it your own. You could also experiment with different techniques, such as palm muting or using a pick.
However, you chose to play it, don’t avoid this classic alternative rock song.
Come as you are by Nirvana
This is the final song on our list and it’s a great beginner bass guitar song because it features a very simple, repetitive riff.
The chord progression in this song is also very basic which will make learning it easy for beginner bass players.
Make sure you can play the riff cleanly before attempting to play along with the recording.
However, don’t go too clean.
Wait, what?
Surely beginners should always try to play as cleanly as possible?
Well, not always. Part of learning a song is learning the feel and vibe of the song and Nirvana’s were famous for having a slightly edgy and raw sound which came across in the lazy yet aggressive bass playing.
In fact, almost any alternative rock song will now try and use that same feel because it’s such an important part of the style.
It’s easiest to listen and hear this in action so check out the song using the link here.
Come Together by The Beatles
This song is a classic Beatles track that beginner bass guitarists should learn.
The bass line in this song is very simple and uses only two notes. However, the timing of the riff can be tricky to get right at first so make sure you practice it slowly before trying to play along with the recording.
Once you have mastered the riff, try adding some variations to it or playing it in different keys.
This is a great way to improve your bass-playing skills.
This bass line sounds great on a baby bass. Whilst it’s not as authentic as the Hofner that McCartney used, the fretless flavour of the baby bass brings something really unique to the line.
“Sunshine Of Your Love” by Cream
This song is perfect for beginner bass players who want to learn a classic rock song.
The main riff in this song is very easy to play and only uses two notes. The key to playing this riff effectively is to make sure you can keep a steady pulse while you’re playing it.
Add your own variations to the main riff after you’ve gotten the hang of it to make it unique. You may also try different methods, such as palm muting or using a pick, to change things up.
Yellow by Coldplay
Another simple yet brilliant song.
It’s a masterful example of simple being perfect for the song.
There’s not much to say apart from have a big warm sound and keep a solid groove but really, that’s also the beauty of the line.
“Livin’ On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi
The bass line from Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer is one of the most iconic bass lines in rock history.
The riff is simple, yet effective, and beginner bass guitarists should learn it as soon as possible.
The key to playing this riff effectively is to make sure you can keep a steady pulse while you’re playing it.
Once you have mastered the riff, try joining a band or finding some friends who you can play the song live with. It’s a great way to enhance your skills.
This bassline sounds great on a bass that naturally has a lot more aggression and bite to its tone. Any bass with a maple neck, ebony fingerboard, fiberglass body or is made from a neck or wood that gives more of an aggressive tone will work well.
These basses don’t always have to have a huge price tag either. Click here for more advice on which bass to buy.
Longview by Greenday
This song is ideal for intermediate bass players who want to learn a classic rock hit.
The main riff works as a kind of hook for the whole song so you’ll really need to be confident when playing it.
You’ll also have to get your pick technique in shape because that’s the only way this line sounds right.
There’s simply no way you could play this with fingers or palm muting. Even though it’s technically possible, it would have completely the wrong vibe for the song.
Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen
There are famous bass parts and then there’s this.
It’s arguably the most famous bass riff of all time and certainly one of the most iconic.
It’s also one of the easiest bass lines to learn.
The key to playing this riff effectively is to make sure you can keep a steady pulse while you’re playing it.
Once you have mastered the riff, try joining a band or finding some friends who you can play the song live with. It’s a great way to enhance your skills.
Should I Stay Or Should I Go by The Clash?
The bass line for The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go” is one of the most iconic in rock history.
The riff is simple, yet effective, and beginner bass guitarists should learn it as soon as possible.
The key to playing this riff effectively is to make sure you can keep a steady pulse while you’re playing it.
Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple
This is one of the most iconic rock songs of all time and learning this bass part will teach you about what it means to sit back and not take the focus of the music.
The bass needs to be a foundation for other instruments to sit on top of.
Learning this song will teach you that skill.
Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie
Famously sampled by Vanilla Ice, this is yet another of the most recognisable bass lines of all time that Queen have written.
It’s very simple but don’t be fooled by that.
Your technique and time have to be great if you want to articulate this line with the kind of clarity and steadiness it deserves.
Seven Nation Army by White Stripes
The White Stripes power duo from Detroit, Michigan have more raw and organic sounds and can provide an interesting change of pace compared to some of the more hyper-produced artists of today’s era.
The group is technically comprised of guitarists and drummers but “Seven Nation Army” has a clear, easy basslines to learn on the recorded version.
It’s a simple bassline that can be played entirely on a single string but you can also play it in position if you want to challenge yourself.
My Girl by The Temptations
The bass intro to this song is iconic.
Played by master bass player James Jamerson, this is simply a song you can’t fail to learn.
It will do your technique, stylistic awareness, and groove a world of good.
Stand By Me by Ben E. King
An incredibly simple yet powerful riff that is almost as famous as the vocal melody itself.
This is an easy song to learn and memorize so why not add this one to your list?
“Pretty Fly For A White Guy” by The Offspring
This simple yet catchy tune owes a lot of it’s power and appeal to the prominence of the bass.
The bass player on this song (Greg Kiesel) certainly stepped up to the plate with his performance on this great song with his powerful and punchy tone and solid playing.
“She Loves You” by The Beatles
She Loves You is one of the classic Beatles songs that beginner bass guitar players should learn. The song is easy to play and memorize, and it’s a great song to play with friends.
The Beatles are one of the most influential bands of all time, so learning their songs is a great way to improve your bass playing.
“21 Guns” by Green Day
Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt has received a lot of praise for his performance. “21 Guns” is, however, one of its slower and poppier songs.
The song is easy to follow and the bass line is very consistent. Dirnt also does a great job of mixing in some subtle melodic embellishments.
“I Got You (I Feel Good)” by James Brown
The bass line to James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good)” is easy and beginner-friendly, which makes it perfect for beginner bassists.
There are a few places where the rhythm changes, but this song follows a simple pattern that you can easily learn by ear.
It also has a catchy melody that sticks in your head long after you’ve finished playing. When I learned how to play the bass guitar, I practiced on this song until I could play it without looking at my fingers!
FAQ’s
What is the easiest song to play on bass?
It’s hard to say that there is a definitive easy bass song that’s the easiest out there but, personally, I always recommend total newbie bass players start by learning “With or Without You” by U2.
What bass songs should I learn?
Some other great easy bass guitar songs include “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple, “Under Pressure” by Queen, and “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King.
Whilst these songs are good options you could also ask a teacher what to learn if you’re unsure.
What should I learn first on bass?
Again, it really depends on the individual and their skill level. However, as a beginner I would recommend starting with basic scales, chord arpeggios and then progressing to melodies, riffs, songs and maybe even some simple walking bass lines. This can be a great way to start learning how to play bass guitar.
How do you play bass songs for beginners?
There are a few different ways that you can play easy bass songs. One way is to find the tablature or sheet music for the song and follow along. Another way is to listen to the song and try to imitate what you hear. Lastly, you could also try learning by ear which can be a great way to learn new songs.
What are some easy bass lines?
Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes, Otherside by Red Hot Chili Peppers and Sunshine Of Your Love by Cream are all easy and some of the most recognizable bass lines of recent times.
How do you play bass songs easy?
If you don’t want to use methods like gettings TABS or using sheet music then you should try using your ears to learn the song. Listen to it a lot so the bass line really gets stuck in your head and then try to teach yourself the song by singing it to yourself or playing along to the recording.
What song has the best bass guitar?
Again, it’s hard to say but one of the most classic easy bass songs is “Get Back” by the Beatles. The bass part was played by the legendary Paul McCartney who is famous for writing simple yet melodic bass parts.
His lines are considered great by many in the music industry so they’d be a perfect place to start if you want to learn easy bass somgs.
What should I learn first on bass guitar?
It’s always a good idea to learn core topics like technique, scales (like the Em scale bass patterns), theory, chord arpeggios and some musical styles. These are all of crucial importance to bass guitarists and to learning base guitar music.
You could also look at YouTube tutorials from channels like ours or bass buzz.
What songs can you play with a bass guitar?
Really any song that you like. The bass is featured in so many songs so you can learn the bass part of those songs. However, if the song doesn’t have a bass part then you can always learn the melody on the bass. This is a great way to learn the song and memorize it.
You should always look to branch out as well as learn your favourite songs. New styles can broaden your horizons and teach you a lot. So make sure you learn some jazz bass lines tab, make sure you learn the theory behind an E minor chord, for example, or anything else that you’re unfamiliar with.
What are good songs that have bass?
There are a lot of great songs that have bass guitar parts. A few examples include “Get Back” by the Beatles, “Under Pressure” by Queen, and “With or Without You” by U2. These are all great beginner songs to learn on bass guitar and they all have great bass grooves.
In these type of songs, bass guitars play a simple but vital role so learning these songs is ideal material for bass lessons.
This song in particular can be played with very few bass strings or you could restrict yourself to using a single string (like the G string) if you wanted to expand your knowledge of the neck and different octaves on the bass.
What is the easiest song to learn on a bass guitar?
There’s no single easiest bass line of all time. Some find Paul McCartney’s bass parts like Get Back really easy but others find them hard.
The best thing is to pick a song that you’d like to play (perhaps by looking at the ones listed in this article) and then go to a bass teacher who can advise you on how to learn it or what to learn instead if you find it too hard.
How do you play a simple song on bass guitar?
Start by learning the notes that make up the bass riff or bass line. You should also have a lesson on how to play the song with a teacher who can advise you on the best ways to tackle parts of the song that you find technically difficult to play.
Once you’re more confident playing songs with prominent bass lines, you can begin to improvise by looking at this post on bass runs for beginners.
What popular songs have the best bass?
Funky music styles such as disco, R&B and soul often have great bass lines and many of these songs fall into the rather broad category of popular music.
Look at songs like “100” by Tommy Simms, “Ladies Night” by Kool & The Gang or “Good Times” by Chic as examples of an amazing song that has an iconic bass riff.
A more popularised song that owes a lot to the funky music heritage listed above is “Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen.
How do I learn the bass song?
Start by memorizing the structure of the song. This way you can be sure what the bass is playing in each section and where the music is going. Next, work section by section. Learn the bass notes for the verse or the bass riff from the chorus and analyse the harmony (e.g is this a minor chord, a major chord etc).
Once you know these then you can combine your knowledge of the structure with individual parts of each section and play the song all the way through.
Which rock song has the best bass line?
There’s no single answer here. The best rock song for a beginner bassist largely depends on what kind of rock music you like.
Whilst bands like Pink Floyd, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Green Day are all rock bands, they hardly sound similar.
This means that “best” is a matter of opinion so don’t be afraid to trust in your own tastes and learn what you like.
What rock songs have heavy bass?
Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana has a great heavy bass line. Other options would be Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes. These are also good bass heavy songs to test subwoofer if you’re looking for that sort of thing.
The bottom line is that if a heavy rock song has an electric bass guitar and you like the bassline being played, you should learn it.
Is bass easier than guitar?
Bass is usually considered to be slightly easier than guitar because there are typically fewer strings and the fretboard is larger. That being said, everyone learns at their own pace so it really depends on the individual. Some people find guitar easier and some people find bass easier. There is no right or wrong answer.
However, factors like the instrument setup can change how hard or easy the instrument feels to play. Always take your instrument for a setup to make sure it’s easy to pay and sounding good as factors like 5 string bass action height can play a major role in how easy a bass feels to play.
What bass song should I learn first?
There are a lot of great easy bass guitar songs out there. Some popular options include “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King, “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaac, and “Under Pressure” by Queen. You could also try a bass cover of superstition by Stevie Wonder. It really depends on what you’re interested in and what style of music you want to learn. Pick a song that you enjoy and that you feel confident you can learn.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve given beginner bass guitar players a list of the easiest songs for them to learn.
There are many great bass songs for beginners out there that you should consider learning.
However, you should also think about why you want to learn these songs. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to learn them for fun but what’s great for the development of any bass player is learning a song that also teaches an essential skill such as technique, scales or theory knowledge.
As I mentioned earlier, an example of this is With or Without You. Learning it teaches a bass player how to lock in with a band and keep good time.
But learning something like Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers will also show you how a bass plart can work independently of a drum or guitar part.
For beginner bass guitarists, these 24 songs are a great way to get your feet wet and start honing your skills. “Piccolo Bass” by John Paul Jones, for example, is perfect for those trying to nail down single-note lines and chords. As you become more comfortable with the instrument, famous bass lines tabs will become easier to learn and master.
And when you feel confident enough, why not challenge yourself with a full-band bass solo? Bass chords can provide some interesting harmonic ideas if you’re feeling adventurous! With time and dedication, any of these songs can help you on your path towards becoming a better bass player.
What you learn really depends on where you are on your bass guitar journey and what you want to achieve. This means there’s no right or wrong.
As long as you know why you’re leaning it then you can get just as much out of learning 2 chord guitar songs, an entire song like the flowers miley cyrus bass tab or a single aspect of a song like the mississippi squirrel revival chords as you can from breaking down a song into basic components to study like major chords, a minor chord (by the way, simple two chord songs are great for this) and working from there.
Hopefully, this list has given you some inspiration.
Which of these bass songs for beginners will you start with?
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