Bocchi The Rock! Songs Ranked By Guitar Difficulty (+Tabs)

Bocchi The Rock! has certainly been one of my favourite new series of 2022. It’s not only hilarious, but it was great seeing Bocchi grow over the season. Definitely check out my article where I analyze each episode as a female guitarist in a band.

I’ve been reviewing all musical animes I could find in this article, and out of all the rock band animes I’ve watched (including Beck, K-On!, Bang Dream, Given), Bocchi The Rock! has the highest rating for giving Bocchi a realistic learning time, and also going over various band moments and expressing the fears and anxieties one may have while going on stage. Others shows make it look a lot easier than it is.

Now that the series is over, someone asked if I could make a ranking for guitar difficulty and I thought it was a great idea! Previously, I have ranked K-On!! and Angel Beats songs by their guitar difficulty as I felt it would be useful for other beginners like me. It can be intimidating when you try to play a song that a ‘beginner’ in the show can play just to quickly realize most songs are way out of your skill level.

At this point in time, I am an early intermediate guitar player. Like Bocchi, I have played for about 3 years, however, I have certainly taken a lot of week(s) long breaks, and also wasted time learning skills and techniques that I didn’t need before realizing I’m most passionate about rhythm guitar. There’s just something about beautiful chords combined with complex chord progressions that I really love.

It goes without saying that there aren’t really any ‘easy’ songs in this series, so if you have been playing for less than a year, definitely check out my easy anime songs for guitarists article instead! On that note, if you’re someone who doesn’t mind spending weeks or months on a song, if you can get through Bocchi’s discography, you’ll definitely be an advanced player by the end. I’ve certainly leveled up faster by playing Japanese songs from the beginning instead of Western ones.

Not all the songs had Songsterr Tabs when I started this, so I’ve opted to use a Youtuber so you can see how it will look when played. The only Youtuber that appears to have tabbed out every Bocchi song so far is 『PulseGTR』, so I will be using his videos for reference as I rate these songs. I did let him know and he doesn’t mind 🙂 I’ve attached Songsterr Links if it’s available so you can still go through the tabs at your own pace. Note that there may be some differences between PulseGTR and Songsterr.

As usual, I will also comment on the speed and techniques that will make each songs more or less difficulty. The difficulty rating is more in comparison to other songs on this list. So a 1 would mean it’s very easy compared to the hardest song and vice versa. Songs that are similar in rating mean that if you can play one 4/10 song, it would feel about the same to learn another 4/10 song.

I don’t know if full versions of some songs will be coming out nor if I’ll reorder them, but if you can handle even a few of these songs, I’m sure you can handle any extended versions 🙂

If you’re pretty new to guitar tabs, definitely check out My Ultimate Guide To Guitar Tabs where I discuss setup, tunings, techniques, and even things like theory and timing. It’s your all in one resource to understand anything you’ll see when reading guitar tabs 🙂

And if you’d like to learn more about Japanese music theory so you can understand and create your own Japanese inspired music, check out The Complete Japanese Music Theory Course!

Gambareee!~

General List Of Skills Needed

After watching all these tabs a few times, there’s certainly some techniques that come up quite a few times for lead and rhythm. If you haven’t practiced or you’re not too confidence in a few of these skills, it may be worth it to take the time and work on those skills first. I find songs are a lot more enjoyable to learn and play when you’re not struggling every part or two with something new.

Watashi Dake Yuurei (Sick Hack)

Difficulty: 1/10 | BPM: 177 | Songsterr Tabs

What makes this song the easiest out of all on the list is that it is quite repetitive with it’s riffs and there are lots of breaks which will allow you catch your breath and prepare for the next section. It’s also not that fast, at least compared to other songs on this list.

It utilizes lots of power chords so it’s pretty easy for he rhythmic parts. It also focuses on box pattern shapes which is great for someone who isn’t used to travelling around the fretboard as quickly and as easily as Bocchi does. There’s only a couple bends, so I think it’s a great warm up song before one gets into Kessoku Band’s discography.

Rockn’ Roll, Morning Light Falls on You

Difficulty: 2/10 | BPM = 149 | Songsterr Tabs

This is a cover for an Asian Kung-Fu Generation song, so it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that it is lower on this list. The song is one of the slowest on this list, and it is quite chord heavy for both rhythm and lead.

While there are a lot of new or uncommon chords in this track, that would be the only difficult part of this song. The riffs are on the slower side, and the solo will utilize techniques you would probably be comfortable with already.

Flashbacker

Difficulty: 2/10 | BPM = 77 | Songsterr Tabs

This is definitely the easiest Kessoku Band original, no doubt. The rhythm side has easier chords and strumming patterns. There are some arpeggios as well, but considering the really slow BPM, every other song will require you to play at 2X speed.

The lead as well is mostly octave riffs and simpler solos. There are some elements which you will see in songs lower on this list, but again, thanks to the slower BPM song, it’s a great song that I think even late beginners could cover in a shorter amount of time and actually play it through at full speed. If you want to challenge yourself, take on the Youtuber’s solo at the end which contains riffs from other songs.

Hitoribocchi Tokyo

Difficulty: 3/10 | BPM = 192 | Songsterr Tabs

While this song has a high BPM, you’ll be playing mostly quarter and eighth notes, not sixteenth notes like other songs on this list. The rhythm side is mostly slower arpeggios and chords. There are some newer chords, but most aren’t too difficult to play. There’s parts with some fret-hand muting as well, but it’s not for long periods, like other songs.

As for lead, they mostly have octaves, even for the solo. There is some tapping and double stop bends as well, but they are done at a slower speed which makes this song a great stepping stone for songs lower on this list.

I Can’t Sing A Love Song

Difficulty: 3/10 | BPM = 185 | Songsterr Tabs

The fact that this song is so high on this list says a lot about what’s to come shall you continue to accept the challenge of learning other Bocchi The Rock Songs. Rhythm wise, the chords and progressions are pretty familiar. One will need to work on hybrid picking during the arpeggio parts.

Lead wise, this song has licks and techniques similar to what I’ve heard and seen in other anime songs. You’ll have some octave riffs, some slower licks, and then you get to stay in a box position for the chorus riff. It’s not too fast nor too all over the place compared to most songs. It does have bends, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and a few tapping sections, but it’s still pretty slow and comfortable compared to the songs below.

Guitar, Loneliness and Blue Planet

Difficulty: 3.5/10 | BPM = 193 | Songsterr Tabs

Rhythm wise, this song isn’t too hard when it comes to strumming, and the intro riff isn’t too bad using chords you probably know already just with some funky patterns, and even has a simple power chord part in the verse, but then it goes into arpeggios and patterns with extended chords I know most won’t bee too familiar, so that would be the hard part on that side.

Lead wise, this song also isn’t fast or crazy compared to other songs on the list, so it’s definitely a stepping stone for songs to come. Make sure your arpeggios and double stops and octaves are good to go and you should be ready to take on this song.

What Is Wrong With (Ending 3)

Difficulty: 4/10 | BPM: 122 | Songsterr Tabs

From a rhythm perspective, this song is definitely something I’ve seen quite a bit in other Japanese songs, so if you’ve been covering anime songs for a while, it would be pretty comfortable in that aspect. As long as your left hand muting and 16-beat strumming is solid, you should be fine. There are some 7th and 9 chords, but it’s not too overwhelming if you’ve already been learning those.

The lead part for this song is definitely more melodic instead of fast and fancy, which makes it a bit more chill and easy going. There are some chords involved, but it’s not a whole lot compared to other songs on this list. You will need to have your arpeggios and double-stop bends in order. I think if the other songs are just a little too fast for you right now, this is a great song to get used to the slides and hammer-ons/pull offs.

Seishun Complex (Opening)

Difficulty: 4/10 | BPM = 190 | Songsterr Tabs

On the rhythm side, the song is pretty simple and repeartive, getting the extra benefit of pauses at first. If one isn’t used to funk/left handed strumming, they will definitely need to work on that for this song, but otherwise, it’s a pretty eaesy going song with a pretty simple strumming pattern.

On the lead side, the song has a big more comfortable speed, and is also quite repetitive at first, but later incorporates more chords. Getting that hammer-ons/pull-offs need to be clean, and they too will need to have at least some left-hand muting ready, but otherwise, I would but this on the easier half of side for lead as well. If you can play lead already, got your bends and power chords in order, I don’t see this taking long to master with enough practice.

Distortion!! (Ending 1)

Difficulty: 5/10 | BPM = 176 | Songsterr Tabs

This song is definitely deceiving at first. The first portion is pretty simple and skills any Jrock fan would be associate with, but as it goes on, it starts breaking out a variety of skills. For rhythm, there’s a lot of power chords which is the easiest type of chord. The only really hard part on the rhythm side would be left-hand strumming, but it has a simple 8-beat strumming pattern during those parts.

Lead as well does have lots of power and octave chords, and simpler melodic riffs. If someone has been playing both lead and rhythm for a while, then I don’t see this song being that challenging outside of the short solo that has some quick bits along with bends if they’re not up to that speed yet. I know tapping can seem a lil intimidating if never tried, but honestly, it’s not that hard with practice 🙂

The Little Sea

Difficulty: 5.5/10 | BPM = 94 | Songsterr Tabs

This song is deceiving. When I started the video, I was thinking it’ll be a level 2-4 song, but by the end, it was clear it was a big more mid-tier. If you’re not comfortable or not great with your arpeggios yet (like me), you’re going to have a hard time as that makes up the majority of the song.

At other points there is 16-beat strumming which may also be a weak point to players who’ve only done 8-beat rhythms, and even harder since this song will have a lot of new or unfamiliar chords. And don’t even get me started on the solo. It’s not the hardest solo on this list by any means, but it’s definitely a sign of things to come. If this song didn’t have a slower BPM, it would be much higher on the list.

Never Forget

Difficulty: 6/10 | BPM = 184 | Songsterr Tabs

This song is definitely one of their more Jpop sounding songs with many things you’ll see in other anime songs helping it stay lower on this list. Rhythm, it’s nothing out of the ordinary besides maybe some new chords like diminished, and the strumming changes up quite a bit, but otherwise, it’s pretty simply.

Lead wise, you will need to be comfortable with chords and octaves already, your double stop bending skills must be on point as they are quite frequent and back to back, your hammer-ons/pull-offs are reall fast, along with the solo, so I would definitely consider this song more challenging than the ones above for lead.

Karakara (Ending 2)

Difficulty: 7/10 | BPM = 190 | Songsterr Tabs

This song has a high BPM but it doesn’t sound or feel that fast at first. This is a song with math rock vibes and techniques which may be quite new to many. Rhythm players will not just need to get comfortable with the odd time signature at points, some new chords, and also be good with arpeggios and harmonics.

Lead wise, it’s not too bad initially, but the song has a decent blend of single note licks, double stops and harmonics. It is filled with hammer-ons, pull-offs, tapping, tremolo, muting, harmonics, bends, and it’s also fast ontop of that…but you can bet it’s only going to get harder from here.

Outdoor Jam

Difficulty: 8/10 | BPM = 186

This is essentially a combination of Ano Bando below and Seishun Complex above, but what makes this little solo bit more difficult is that she is utilizing both lead and rhythm in this bit and it may be difficult for some to quickly switch between both techniques that quickly. There may be some new/unfamiliar chords, there’s some funky strumming, some fast Hammer-on/pull-off parts, tremolo and bends. For a small piece, it does utilize most techniques that Bocchi uses all the time, but at least it’s short!

Secret Base

Difficulty: 8.5/10 | BPM = 180 | Songsterr Tabs

This song was a bit hard to rate as it has it’s easy and hard moments. The rhythm strumming pattern isn’t too bad, nor are the chords it uses compared to other songs on this list, but it definitely has more chord changes than a lot of other songs as well. Otherwise, there are songs that are harder in the rhythm department on this list.

As for lead though, this is the only song that really uses tapping more than a couple notes. While tapping isn’t exactly hard to learn, it definitely takes a lot of practice if you’re new to it, especially at this speed and clarity. The lead parts are also full of slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, muting, and bends. While it may still be a little technically easier than other songs, the speed will be most people’s weakness.

If I Could Be A Constellation

Difficulty: 9/10 | BPM = 123 | Songsterr Tabs

Don’t let the slower BPM fool you. Rhythm wise, this song uses more basic barre and 7th chords, but is heavily focused on 16-beat strumming. There are also arpeggios and other chill bits. It is very funky, so it’s a a great song to work on one’s muting and feel in that department.

Lead wise, it can either be a walk in the park or it can be a bit more challenging depending on what your focus has been up to this point as it is very heavily rhythm based so you’ll need to have your strumming and funk feel down already. The lead bits are fast and contains lots of hammer-ons/pull-offs, muting, arpeggios and so on. The vibrato lick also needs to be fast and accurate. It’s certainly a lot to remembe

Ano Bando

Difficulty: 10/10 | BPM = 190 | Songsterr Tabs

This song, without a (personal) doubt would be their hardest song in their discography for both lead and rhythm. The intro solo/improv bit tells you all you need to know haha Rhythm wise, you have a bunch of chords that one may be unfamiliar with, and then we go into arpeggios, funk strumming and other patterns.

Lead wise, the double stop bends will either make or break you as they are relentless but still need to be fast on on pitch. This song then uses every technique you would have come across in the above songs, and even pulls out tapping. You will need some solid rhythm skills and chord familiarity as well, and you must be able to switch between the two all at a very fast speed. Gambatte!!