You might have decided you’d like to learn how to play bass but have no idea where to start. Fortunately for those starting out, most bass lines in popular songs are not too hard to learn. It might take some time to nail slapping or chords, but lots of songs keep things simple. So, here are some easy bass songs for beginners to get things started.
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Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes
Bass lines are often – but not always – similar to the rhythm guitar line, except, instead of playing chords, you just play single notes. This makes it pretty easy to learn if there isn’t a bass tab to some of your favorite songs. So, the seven nation army bassline is pretty similar to the guitar line.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-white-stripes/seven-nation-army-bass-51486
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J2QdDbelmY&ab_channel=TheWhiteStripes
Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
Smells Like Teen Spirit is arguably the easiest bassline on this list – which is why it was the first song I ever learned. Nirvana is proof that there’s no need to overcomplicate things since Smells Like Teen Spirit wouldn’t be the song we all know and love without the simple riff.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/nirvana/smells-like-teen-spirit-bass-202718
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTWKbfoikeg&ab_channel=NirvanaVEVO
Another One Bites The Dust by Queen
The bass line for Another One Bites The Dust by Queen is immediately reconizable. Best of all, it’s pretty achievable for beginners so you can impress your friends. The bass line doesn’t keep time, so the main thing is to make sure you know the rhythm well before attempting this.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/queen/another-one-bites-the-dust-bass-4729
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0WxgSXdEE&ab_channel=QueenOfficial
Know Your Enemy by Green Day
Green Day is another example of a widely popular band who do not overcomplicate their songs, whether it’s the guitar lines or the bass line.
Know Your Enemy mostly follows what the guitar is doing, so if you already know the song, you shouldn’t struggle to work out the rhythm.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/green-day/know-your-enemy-bass-841983
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IclmVdWNbI&ab_channel=GreenDay
Come Together by The Beatles
The bass line for Come Together by the Beatles is more daunting than some of the other easy bass songs for beginners on this list. However, it’s a worthy challenge. Most bass players already know how to play guitar, so you’ll already be familiar with hammer-ons, slides, and bends. For the most part, these are played the same as one guitar, but they can feel more challenging due to how much thicker the bass strings are.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-beatles/come-together-bass-27919
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45cYwDMibGo&ab_channel=TheBeatlesVEVO
Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People
One of the most challenging things about bass and playing guitar for beginners is having to remember long, intricate tabs. Fortunately, if you’re starting out, lots of songs tend to repeat the same line over and over or repeat some sort of variation of it throughout the song. So, this can help you get used to playing along to the real song or with a band without getting overwhelmed.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/foster-the-people/pumped-up-kicks-bass-1029219
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ&ab_channel=fosterthepeopleVEVO
Yellow by Cold Play
Yellow by Cold Play is another easy bass song for beginners. The intro and verse is pretty consistent and full of repetition. You start playing a few single notes throughout the chorus, but its not too challenging.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/coldplay/yellow-bass-16497
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKNxeF4KMsY&ab_channel=Coldplay
Every Breath You Take by The Police
Every Breath You Take is also pretty straightforward. You tend to linger on the same note for at least a bar, but when you need to move to a new fret or string, the tempo isn’t particularly fast, so it shouldn’t throw you off.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-police/every-breath-you-take-bass-388545
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOGaugKpzs&ab_channel=ThePoliceVEVO
Friday I’m In Love by The Cure
Friday I’m In Love by The Cure is an introduction to alternate bass tuning. Most songs are in standard tuning, but this is in drop D. (GRAPH0. Aside from that, since the riff always stays on the D string, it’s not too hard to master.
(Standard Tuning and Drop D tuning on bass illustrated.)
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-cure/friday-im-in-love-bass-348982
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGgMZpGYiy8&ab_channel=TheCureVEVO
Beat It by Michael Jackson
As mentioned earlier, as a beginner bass player, learning long, intricate tabs can be too overwhelming. Beat It relies on repeating the same four riffs at different intervals. It’s also a good introduction to staccato, which means playing short, snappy notes.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/michael-jackson/beat-it-bass-35180
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRdxUFDoQe0&ab_channel=michaeljacksonVEVO
With Or Without You by U2
Although the bassline in With Or Without You by U2 sounds prominent, its’ very easy for beginners. The same riff repeats throughout the song, and it’s all played on the same string.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/u2/with-or-without-you-bass-20858
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujNeHIo7oTE&ab_channel=U2VEVO
Fell In Love With A Girl by The White Stripes
Fell In Love With A Girl by The White Stripes might sound daunting compared to the other easy bass songs for beginners. The riff is simple, so the main challenge is really how fast the song is. Play it slowly while you’re getting used to it, and gradually increase your speed – using a metronome to ensure you’re keeping in time.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-white-stripes/fell-in-love-with-a-girl-bass-198891
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTH71AAxXmM&ab_channel=TheWhiteStripes
Let It Be by the Beatles
Although the riff for The Beatles’ Let It Be is played across three different strings, it mostly stays in the same area of the fretboard, so you shouldn’t have to stretch too much. It’s also a pretty slow, mellow song, so you have time to jump between notes gracefully.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-beatles/let-it-be-bass-262977
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzvDofigTKQ&ab_channel=TheBeatles-Topic
Bad Reputation by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
The biggest challenge with Bad Reputation by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts is that the song is quite fast. However, the bassline mostly alternates between open notes and notes on the second and fourth frets of the E and A strings, so it’s not too stretchy.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/joan-jett/bad-reputation-bass-1851185
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO6YL09T8Fw&ab_channel=blackheartrec
Traitor by Olivia Rodrigo
If you like pop music, this is one of the best easy bass songs for beginners. Although the Traitor bassline moves around quite a lot, you only play around two notes per bar, so it shouldn’t be a struggle to move to the right note in time.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/olivia-rodrigo/traitor-bass-3795269
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRrf3h9vhp8&ab_channel=OliviaRodrigoVEVO
Ziggy Stardust by Davis Bowie
The bassline of Ziggy Stardust also moves around quite a lot, but again, since you only play two or three notes for most bars, there’s plenty of time to get to the right fret in time.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/david-bowie/ziggy-stardust-bass-2531862
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8R_u3Yfwcs&ab_channel=DavidBowie-Topic
The Chain by Fleetwood Mac
For the most part, the bassline for The Chain by Fleetwood Mac stays on the same string. Plus, the bassline is repeated several times. It’s not uncommon for songs to halt the bassline at certain parts, which is the case for The Chain. So, the biggest issue is just knowing when to play or not. It’s best to listen to songs like this carefully with good-quality headphones so you can hear the bassline yourself and play along accordingly.
(A man playing bass without a guitar pick. )
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/fleetwood-mac/the-chain-bass-13592
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLC-tHvkNvI&ab_channel=FleetwoodMac-Topic
Plastic Hearts by Miley Cyrus
The bassline for Plastic Hearts by Miley Cyrus mostly repeats itself with little variation. It’s not too quick or intricate. It also serves as an introduction to slides which means sliding from one note to the other rather than lifting your finger or the fret to move to the next note.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/miley-cyrus/plastic-hearts-bass-3445679
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vStru2voDjY&ab_channel=MileyCyrusVEVO
Everlong by Foo Fighters
Everlong by Foo Fighters is played in drop D, which means you will need to retune your bass. The bassline only stays between the fifth and ninth frets, so there isn’t too much moving around.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/foo-fighters/everlong-bass-1107432
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBG7P-K-r1Y&ab_channel=foofightersVEVO
Kids Aren’t Alright by Fall Out Boy
The Kids Aren’t Alright by Fall Out Boy is pretty straightforward. The song isn’t too fast, so beginner bassists should be able to keep up. You typically play the same note for two bars, so it doesn’t move around too fast, either.
Here’s the tab: https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/fall-out-boy/the-kids-arent-alright-bass-1699936
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR7U7_cKJw4&ab_channel=FallOutBoyVEVO
Dancing In The Street by Martha and The Vandellas
The bassline for Dancing In The Street by Maratha and The Vandellas mostly revolves around open notes, so there’s no tricky finger-work. There are also a few slides.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/martha-and-the-vandellas/dancing-in-the-street-bass-1501754
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68Uv959QuCg&ab_channel=WarmerMusicVideos
Motion Sickness by Phoebe Bridgers
Although Moton Sickness moves from the top of the fretboard to the bottom, you mostly play the same note for a whole bar, so there’s no rush to reposition your fingers.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/phoebe-bridgers/motion-sickness-bass-2504421
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sfYpolGCu8&ab_channel=PhoebeBridgersVEVO
Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever has a few slides but is not too complicated. For the verse, you usually play one note per bar, and play consistently on the same note in the chorus.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/billie-eilish/happier-than-ever-bass-3840011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GJWxDKyk3A&ab_channel=BillieEilishVEVO
About Damn Time by Lizzo
About Damn Time has a few slides and moves strings a lot, but it’s not super fast, so it should be manageable. You can always slow it down even further and play with a metronome when practicing.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/lizzo/about-damn-time-bass-4154572
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXXxciRUMzE&ab_channel=LizzoMusic
As It Was by Harry Styles
As It Was in another easy bassline. It mainly alternates between the fifth and seventh fret, and there are also a lot of open notes – so there’s no frantically trying to get to the opposite side of the fretboard in time.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/harry-styles/as-it-was-bass-4166956
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5v3kku4y6Q&ab_channel=HarryStylesVEVO
Valerie by Amy Winehouse
Valerie by Amy Winehouse is a good introduction to dead notes as almost every second note is a dead note. Dead notes on bass are similar to that on guitar. Also known as ghost notes, dead notes have no pitch. So you touch the string lightly but not hard enough to actually activate the note.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/amy-winehouse/valerie-bass-1237522
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bixuI_GV5I0&ab_channel=MarkRonsonVEVO
I Miss You by Blink-182
Like other easy bass songs for beginners, I Miss You is pretty repetitive, so you don’t have to memorize any intricate riffs.
(A 5-string bass guitar. )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1tAYmMjLdY&ab_channel=blink182VEVO
Your Song by Elton John
Of all these easy bass songs for beginners, Your Song by Elton John is possibly one of the simplest. You only play one or two notes per bar, so there’s really not much to it. The most challenging part may just be ensuring you keep up with the timing to hit the note at the correct moment.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/elton-john/your-song-bass-147127
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT3D1Cu6g10&ab_channel=EltonJohn-Topic
Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley
The bass tab for Can’t Help Falling In Love might look daunting, but when you break it down, it’s not too bad. While you do jump from note to note, the song is pretty slow, so there’s lots of time to get to where you need to be.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/elvis-presley/cant-help-falling-in-love-bass-1724505
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGJTaP6anOU&ab_channel=ElvisPresleyVEVO
This Charming Man by The Smiths
This Charming Man is a great introduction to hammer-ons on bass. These are played the same as they are on the guitar. They’re played by plucking the string and then moving to the next note (which is on the same string) without strumming the next note.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-smiths/this-charming-man-bass-560078
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJRP3LRcUFg&ab_channel=TheSmiths
Wonderwall by Oasis
Although many people like to joke about Wonderwall being overplayed, it’s worth learning on bass. The riff is pretty simple, and it’s a good way to get used to slides and dead notes.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/oasis/wonderwall-bass-605185
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hzrDeceEKc&ab_channel=Oasis
All Of Me by John Legend
There’s really not much to the bassline for All Of Me by John Legend. You basically just play a note or two every bar.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/john-legend/all-of-me-bass-1669913
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=450p7goxZqg&ab_channel=johnlegendVEVO
Iris by Goo Goo Dolls
Most of the riff for Iris is pretty easy. It’s a great way to introduce players to natural harmonics. These are notes that have a more delicate sound because they’re prevented from vibrating as strongly as regular notes. You essentially lighting rest your finger on the note rather than fretting it.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/goo-goo-dolls/iris-bass-142009
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdYWuo9OFAw&ab_channel=GooGooDolls
Mary On A Cross by Ghost
There’s not much to Mary On A Cross by Ghost except an occasional slide. For the most part, the bass line helps keep the time and doesn’t have any odd shapes or fast riffs.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/ghost/mary-on-a-cross-bass-3569705
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5mX3NkA7jM&ab_channel=Ghost
Hurt by Johnny Cash
Although Hurt was originally a Nine Inch Nails song, the Johnny Cash rendition is pretty well known, which is why it’s one of the best easy bass songs for beginners. There are a few slides, but nothing too out there.
(A man playing an acoustic bass guitar. )
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/johnny-cash/hurt-bass-1028792
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AHCfZTRGiI&ab_channel=JohnnyCashVEVO
Zombie by The Cranberries
The bassline for Zombie by The Cranberries is pretty consistent. There’s a few slides, but for the most part, the bass line is repetitive and steady.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-cranberries/zombie-bass-115875
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ejga4kJUts&ab_channel=TheCranberriesVEVO
Where Is My Mind by The Pixies
Where Is My Mind doesn’t have any complicated riffs; you mostly repeat the same note a few times and do the occasional slide.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/pixies/where-is-my-mind-bass-49558
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ62RzJkYUo&ab_channel=PixiesOfficial
Imagine by John Lennon
Like other songs, the bass line for Imagine is not complicated. You typically play a note or two per bar, with the occasional slide or ghost note.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/john-lennon/imagine-bass-9345
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkgkThdzX-8&ab_channel=johnlennon
Take Me To Chuch by Hozier
Take Me To Church is a good introduction to vibrato on bass guitar. Which is played by quickly bending the string up and down as you play to make the note sound as though it’s shaking.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/hozier/take-me-to-church-bass-2579610
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVjiKRfKpPI&ab_channel=HozierVEVO
The Loneliest by Måneskin
As far as Måneskin songs go, The Loneliest is pretty mellow. So, the bassline isn’t too hard to keep up with. There are some slides used sparingly but not any other complicated techniques.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/4379795
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odWKEfp2QMY&ab_channel=ManeskinVEVO
Decode by Paramore
Decore by Paramore is in Drop D, so you will need to retune your bass. There are also a few bends and slides, but if you’re struggling, you can slow it down until you nail it.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/paramore/decode-bass-755589
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvnkAtWcKYg&ab_channel=Paramore
Use Somebody by Kings Of Leon
Use Somebody by Kings of Leon has some slides, but aside from that, the bassline is pretty straightforward and repetitive.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/kings-of-leon/use-somebody-bass-763516
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnhXHvRoUd0&ab_channel=kingsofleonVEVO
Teenagers by My Chemical Romance
Although the Teenagers tab might look complicated for beginners, it’s not too bad once you familiarise yourself with the melody of the song. You mostly play a few slides during the verses, and the chorus changes notes quickly, but you can slow it down before attempting to play along with the track.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/my-chemical-romance/teenagers-bass-503391
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6EQAOmJrbw&ab_channel=MyChemicalRomance
Back In Black by AC/DC
Although metal is a daunting genre, the bassline for Back In Black by AC/DC is not as hard as you might imagine. Although the song is quite fast, the bassline mainly alternates between the fifth and seventh fret, so there’s not a whole lot of moving around.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/acdc/back-in-black-bass-59339
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAgnJDJN4VA&ab_channel=acdcVEVO
Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
Hallelujah is another pretty easy bass line that mostly repeats itself. The main thing is knowing the timing and when to play since you play a few notes per bar rather than playing consistently.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/leonard-cohen/hallelujah-bass-1161820
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrLk4vdY28Q&ab_channel=LeonardCohenVEVO
All Too Well by Taylor Swift
The bassline in All To Well by Taylor Swift is pretty consistent, so there are not many odd techniques or funny shapes.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/taylor-swift/all-too-well-bass-1458757
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OQBDdNHmXo&ab_channel=TaylorSwiftVEVO
Mr. Brightside by The Killers
Most of the bassline of Mr. Brightside is pretty straightforward, but the breakdown might be confusing for newer bassists. Bass is often played with single notes, so you might be confused seeing that you need to play two notes at the same time. If you play with a pick, you just strum these at the same time. If you finger-play, you play strum downwards to hit the first with your thumb and upward with your index finger.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-killers/mr-brightside-bass-202645
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGdGFtwCNBE
Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey
Don’t Stop Believin by Journey is also pretty straightforward. The intro riff is pretty doable if you’re mastered the timing and know when to play and when to pause. Fortunately, the intro is so recognizable this shouldn’t be too hard.
(A woman playing a blue, electric bass guitar. )
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/journey/dont-stop-believin-bass-106600
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k8craCGpgs&ab_channel=journeyVEVO
Starlight by Muse
Muse tabs are usually pretty challenging. But the bass tab for Starlight is much simpler compared to their other songs, so you can impress your friends with this one. Since you usually play the same note several times, you don’t need to move around the fretboard too quickly. It is also an introduction to vibrato.
Here’s the tab:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/muse/starlight-bass-381040
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgum6OT_VH8&ab_channel=Muse
Conclusion
Regardless of what kind of music you like, there’s no shortage of easy bass songs for beginners, from chart-topping pop bangers to classic rock and more. Happy playing!
