11/02/23, 11:16 Best Songs for Beginner Bass Guitarists | School of Rock

So you’ve decided to learn to play bass guitar? Congratulations, and

welcome to a club that includes talented, diverse, and sometimes eccentric
individuals such as Flea, Paul McCartney, Sting, John Paul Jones, John
Deacon, and Gene Simmons. If you don’t know these bassists, your first
step should be to look them up and watch/listen to them play! Find your
favorites and let them encourage and motivate you. The bass is the heart of
the band (at least according to us bassists) but the parts can be long and
repetitive, so watching professionals helps you bring your own attitude and
passion to the instrument.
Now, it’s time to play, but with so much music in the world, where do you
start? If you don’t already have some favorite songs in mind, here are
suggestions that will help you learn the basics of notation or tablature, key
signatures, fingerings, rhythm, and tempo, all without boring you with
endless repeats of the same eight bars. The secret to getting good at this is
repetition, which is up to you, and learning good technique — from School
of Rock teachers, of course. 

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10 BEST SONGS FOR BEGINNER BASS

GUITARISTS 
A good beginner bass part is one that is not too simple but not
overwhelming, exposes you to different techniques and tempos, and builds
your confidence.

1. “SHE LOVES YOU,” BY THE BEATLES

What better way to start a bass guitar journey than with some classic Paul
McCartney. You could learn most of what you need to know by following
the growth of McCartney as a bassist over the year, and She Loves You is a
perfect example of the early “simpler” years.

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WHAT MAKES “SHE LOVES YOU” A GOOD SONG FOR BEGINNER

BASSISTS?

Written in C Major. What’s better than no sharps, no flats.

Dotted half note, quarter note rhythm. A classic that’s everywhere.
A driving beat with minimal repetition. Standard R&R but not boring.

HOW DOES “SHE LOVES YOU” CHALLENGE BEGINNER BASSISTS?

Looks are deceiving. She Loves You has a fast and driving beat so you
need to keep pushing and build stamina. You can also play it McCartney
style using a pick, and if you’re so inclined, left-handed.

2. “SEVEN NATION ARMY,” BY THE

WHITE STRIPES
This next song is a winner and it’s from a band that didn’t have a bass
player! Huh? Yes, the White Stripes were a duo and notorious for their lack

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of a bassist in live performances. Yet, Seven Nation Army is an accessible

next step into more ambitious rock music.

WHAT MAKES “SEVEN NATION ARMY” A GOOD SONG FOR

BEGINNER BASSISTS?

Written in G Major. It’s time to change keys and add a sharp - F#.

The bass line stands out. You can’t be a shrinking violet.
You have to count! Bass parts are often repetitive so count, don’t nap.

HOW DOES “SEVEN NATION ARMY” CHALLENGE BEGINNER

BASSISTS?
This is a leap into a long, repetitive, yet simple bass part that keeps you on
your toes. You learn how to deal with triplets, eight notes, and rhythm
variations. Be sure to be well hydrated before taking this on!
 

3. “SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE,” BY

CREAM
There are few bass lines that are as recognizable as Jack Bruce’s iconic
track on Sunshine of Your Love. It’s the beating engine of the song, sticks
in your head, and is just darn fun to play. Sunshine also can be played
simply by the beginner and with bells and whistles for the advancing
player. 

WHAT MAKES “SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE” A GOOD SONG FOR

BEGINNER BASSISTS?

It’s a strong bass line. You get to be center stage.

A new key and techniques. Two sharps, accidentals and some slides.
Explore new rhythms. Sunshine offers a clean, symphonic bass line.

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HOW DOES “SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE” CHALLENGE BEGINNER

BASSISTS?
The part requires stamina and precision. It’s not hard to play but it’s hard to
play it right and keep it going for 110+ measures. Sunshine also provides
an opportunity to explore the fingerboard using various positions.
 

4. “SMOKE ON THE WATER,” BY DEEP

PURPLE
Rock music is interesting because it embraces characteristics from all
different genres. Smoke on the Water is actually a four-note blues scale,
and it introduces our first key with flats - G Minor. It’s not a difficult part but
it will test your finger strength and ability to maintain a strong moderate
tempo.

WHAT MAKES “SMOKE ON THE WATER” A GOOD SONG FOR

BEGINNER BASSISTS?

Repetitive eighth notes. Eighth notes build stamina and force focus.

Blues scale brings a different sound. Blues riffs are a rock staple.
Octaves galore. Octaves challenge intonation requiring precision.

HOW DOES “SMOKE ON THE WATER” CHALLENGE BEGINNER

BASSISTS?
Smoke contains over 1200 notes! That’s a long, dense bass part and while
it’s easily playable, it will take time to build up to full tempo and hold it to
the end.
 

5. “ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST,” BY

QUEEN
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Here’s another classic that will be hard to get out of your head, and the
best part is that the song was written by Queen’s bassist, John Deacon.
The part is uncomplicated and repetitive but then there are those four bars
ahead of the chorus -- a bassist’s chance to shine or epically fail. 

WHAT MAKES “ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST” A GOOD SONG FOR
BEGINNER BASSISTS?

The song uses a pentatonic scale. Pentatonic (5-note) scales are

widely used in many genres.
Introducing a minor key. The E Minor key brings an unexpected twist
to a rock song.
A clean but sophisticated rhythm. Eighth rests and 16th notes raise
the bar on building control and finger strength.

HOW DOES “ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST” CHALLENGE

BEGINNER BASSISTS?
Another One Bites the Dust introduces new challenges including an
alternate tuning for the bass, the E Minor key, and advanced rhythms yet it
remains approachable.

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6. “MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE,” BY THE

POLICE
It’s time to experience the monotony of being a bassist. Message in a
Bottle is a great driving rock song written by a bassist, Sting, with a
repetitive bass line that has two sections with four notes each. Regardless,
this is a must play!

WHAT MAKES “MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE” A GOOD SONG FOR

BEGINNER BASSISTS?

The song uses a true bass line. If you’re going to be a bassist, you
have to learn to deal with repetition and this line is typical.
It’s time to turn on the speed. At 150 beats per minute (BPM), this
song will challenge you to keep up.
Watch the guy who wrote it, play it! There’s nothing better than seeing
the composer play his own piece -- it’s motivating and inspiring.

HOW DOES “MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE” CHALLENGE A BEGINNER

BASS GUITARIST?
For this song to work, it has to have a driving beat. If you slow it down or
fall out of sync with the drummer, the song breaks quickly. It doesn’t matter
if it’s loud or soft, it still has to rock, and the bass needs to drive it.
 

7. “COMFORTABLY NUMB,” BY PINK

FLOYD
When it comes to rock ballads, Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb is right at
the top of the list, and the best part is the simplistic bass line prominent
throughout. The part isn’t complicated but it has to be lyrical and
consistent in tempo to fulfill the potential of this classic piece. 

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WHAT MAKES “COMFORTABLY NUMB” A GOOD SONG FOR

BEGINNER BASSISTS?

The song has a solid rhythm. The simple rhythmic bass line is

consistent throughout the piece and is the foundational element.
Practice those dotted eight sixteenth pairings. A dotted eight note
paired with a sixteenth note is ubiquitous in bass notation. Get used to
it.
Build those fingers with slides! The part has lots of nice slides to an
open string that will build finger strength and all important calluses.

HOW DOES “COMFORTABLY NUMB” CHALLENGE A BEGINNER BASS

GUITARIST?
The key of C Major (2 sharps) and a tempo of 64 beats per minute don’t
pose any particular problem for the aspiring bassist. The challenge comes
from the over 6 minute song duration -- that’s a long haul for untrained
fingers on both hands. You’ll be glad when you’ve built up your stamina.

8. “BABA O’RILEY,” BY THE WHO

Every bassist needs a Who song in their repertoire, and this one is a good
starter. It’s not difficult but it does have its challenges with some long
periods of rest, varying rhythms, and a fast double time section.

WHAT MAKES “BABA O’RILEY” A GOOD SONG FOR BEGINNER BASS

GUITARISTS?

Learn to deal with extended rests. Bassists have to learn to count

rests and Baba O’Riley starts out with 60 measures worth. Get used to
it!
There are rests, rhythms, whole notes, and more. There’s a little bit of
everything in this song helping you become a well-rounded player.

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Simplicity helps you focus. Since the notes aren’t hard, you're free to
focus on the rhythms and technical perfection.

HOW DOES “BABA O’RILEY” CHALLENGE A BEGINNER BASS

GUITARIST?
Great bassists are versatile and this song helps to develop that
characteristic by including varied, long, challenging sections.
 

9. “WHEN I COME AROUND,” BY GREEN

DAY
One quality that defines an experienced rock bassist is the ability to play
recognizable riffs, and the repeating two bar bass riff in When I Come
Around is as recognizable as it gets. It’s not easy but it’s short and
powerful!

WHAT MAKES “WHEN I COME AROUND” A GOOD SONG FOR

BEGINNER BASSISTS?

It’s Green Day after all. An iconic band, an iconic bass part -- it’s a
must have in any repertoire.
Just 2 bars to drill into your head. After playing this riff the 25+ times
it’s repeated in the piece, it will automatically be committed to memory.
Experience alternate tunings. You don’t often have to tune your bass
differently but it does come up from time to time. Embrace it!

HOW DOES “WHEN I COME AROUND” CHALLENGE A BEGINNER

BASSIST?
Once you learn the riff, you still have to deal with the fast tempo and the
alternate tuning. Oh, and don’t forget about counting those repeats. 
 

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10. “I GOT YOU (I FEEL GOOD),” BY

JAMES BROWN
Let’s end our top 10 with James Brown’s biggest hit. This classic 12-bar
blues riff drifts over into Brown’s famous funk. You can play it comfortably
at Brown’s original 144 BPM or test your metal at his more raucous
recording speed of 195. Either way, I Got You will certainly help you get
your groove on.

WHAT MAKES “I GOT YOU” A GOOD SONG FOR BEGINNER

BASSISTS?

The blues is where it’s at. Learning to play the blues is one of the most
important skills for a bassist. It’s fun and in this case, funky.
Let’s move further up the fingerboard. This song will push you even
further up the fingerboard helping you develop range..
Simple but challenging. The notes aren’t hard but if you want to push
the beat, you’ll need to start slow and repeat.

HOW DOES “I GOT YOU” CHALLENGE A BEGINNER BASSIST?

You may feel intimidated whenever you break away from standard rock
chord structures, but in this song, you can work on the blues and infuse
some funk. With enough repetition, it will become second nature.

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