20 Easy Anime Songs To Learn On Drums (+Tabs)

Are you a newer drummer who loves Japanese rock music? It can be hard finding any lists for anime songs to start with, but don’t worry! I’m just like you, a newer musician who is an otaku at heart, so I’m here to provide other beginners with the tools they need 🙂

My Backstory

While I am not the drummer of my rookie Anime band, I do have experience with drums. I was in my school’s drum line for 2 years and we got to perform a variety of places.

Afterwards, I did start practicing drums seriously. I didn’t have a drum kit since I shared a room and lived in an apartment, but I had sticks, a practice pad, played Band Hero and had a portable table top kit for a few months each. I got some second-hand books and printed loads of exercise PDFs as well.

While I did love drums, and I loved how you could play with any song without worrying about keys or chords, it just wasn’t in the cards for me. I couldn’t help my living situation at the time.

Not long after, I decided to give guitar a try and found my home. I could play the rock songs I loved, and when it’s not plugged in, it was quiet enough to play after my evening shift when my family was sleeping. As a rhythm guitarist, I still pay heavy attention to the beat of a song and the groove of the drums.

How I Decided On These Songs

Since we, Chromatic Dreamers, are a rookie band, I had to dig quite a bit to find some easier songs for our drummer. While I had an idea of what could be easier, he told me personally that what makes the difference for him is: 1) the tempo of the song, 2) how much the rhythm changes in a single section, and 3) the complexity of the fills. I have kept those things in mind when compiling this list.

If you’re a beginner drummer who is obsessed with Japanese music, just know it is going to be a bumpy ride. That goes for every new musician who decides to jump into anime songs, but especially for you. Drummers must be on time, consistent, and precise. If the drummer falls apart, the band falls off course.

I found the easiest songs I could for you. But of course, a strong foundation is still necessary. You should be able to play some basic rhythms easily and consistently. Half of the songs are below 150BPM while the others are higher. However, faster songs tend to have a more constant rhythm than slower songs, so that’s something to keep in mind.

Otherwise, jump in and see what song you’ll try to take on next! 🙂

Tell Me Why

Berserk

Tabs | BPM = 120

This is a great beginner song. The beat is pretty consistent, the fills are simple, and it’s definitely on the slower side compared to many other songs on this list. Definitely a song you can relax and have more fun with!

Hikaru Nara

Your Lie In April

Tabs | BPM = 160

This is one of those more easy going openings that everyone in the anime fandom knows, whether they watched the show or not…but it’s a great song! The drum rhythm is pretty consistent, but it still has a few little spins and fills to keep you attentive. Nothing too fast or complex though. Definitely a great beginner song if you’re nearing that tempo for speed.

God Knows

Haruhi Suzumiya

Tabs | BPM = 140

This song may certainly sound intimidating, especially with that speedy tapping from the lead guitarist, but as for drums…it’s not too complex. My drummer, who was only playing for about 8 months when he brought the song up, saying it was easy, so that’s a good sign for you! With a speed of 140, and a beat that is quite consistent, changing to an easier beat during the verse, this is definitely a popular song you can get under your grasp before you know it 🙂

Astericks

Bleach

Tabs | BPM = 130

Ah yes, the first opening of Bleach, aka a song most of the anime fandom will recognize. This song is on the slower side, and focuses more on bass drums and toms than cymbals, which can be a nice change of scenery with a comfortable tempo.

Tenshi Ni Fureta Yo

K-On!!

Tabs | BPM = 117

This easy going song has a bit of variation between bars, but the tempo is slow enough that it shouldn’t trip you up. It’s a great piece to work on your fills as well before moving onto a faster piece.

Rose

Nana

Tabs | BPM = 172

While this song is a bit more upbeat, it has more simple and consistent beats, and lots of sections with only quarter note cymbals so you won’t tire out your hand. It’s a pretty badass song if I should say so myself.

Ichiban no Takaramono

Angel Beats

Tabs | BPM = 60

This is the slowest song on the list, and trust me, you’re not going to find anything else. While the rhythms aren’t the simplest, it’s a great song to work on moving and coordinating those limbs. Do note that you don’t come in until the 2nd verse.

Closer

Naruto

Tabs | BPM = 166

This is a pretty easy going song where the main beat is simple and used throughout. But there is just a bit of variety and difficulty during the verse and pre-chorus. If you choose to play the full version, there’s even more variety during the second verse and bridge, but if you stick to the theme song length, it’s definitely an easier hit.

Chala Head Chala

Dragonball Z

Tabs | BPM = 160

This is one of those anime classics that will never die out, and lucky for you, it has a pretty consistent rhythm throughout the song, with just an added bass note beat for the chorus. The fills aren’t too complicated or fast either. Just be sure to work quite a bit on the last bit!

Kaibutsu/Monster

Beastars

Tabs | BPM = 169

If you’re looking for a song that sticks to quarter and eighth notes, but still allows you to work on coordination between your limbs, this is the song. Not to mention, it’s a very popular song from a very popular artist!

Melissa

Fullmetal Alchemist

Tabs | BPM = 170

This is another big hit, though not as known. Those who love it love with a passion. For this song, I would consider it a study piece. Each section has it’s own unique rhythm. They aren’t exactly hard or complicated, but you probably won’t come across them again anytime soon. If you feel like you’re in a slump playing similar beats all the time and you’re looking for a change to help you grow as a drummer, I think this is a wonderful piece to try out!

L’s Theme B

Death Note

Tabs | BPM = 107

If you’re interested in a super easy instrumental that people will recognize, this is a great place to start. It’s super repetitive, with only two different drum rhythms, so it’s a great way to practice listening and knowing where you are in a song. It’s also a great warm up or exercise to ensure your beats are consistent.

Long Kiss Goodbye

Naruto

Tabs | BPM = 120

This is a beautiful and well loved song for you to work on. It has a pretty slow beat, which gives you an opportunity to try out the various rhythms that take place during this song. My drummer said it was quite easy, which surprised me since it looks complicated, but that’s a good sign if you’re a rookie too!

Staple Stable

Bakemonogatari

Tabs | BPM = 129

If you were looking for an anime song with a more Jpop feel, check out this lovely song. It is full of 16th notes, but considering the BPM, I totally think it’s possible. The bass drum and toms aren’t as frequent. You can even ignore the tamborine (triangle notes) in the chorus to make it a regular eighth beat rhythm.

No Thank You

K-On!!

Tabs | BPM = 182

If you want a more upbeat song than Tenshi ni Fureta yo, try this song out! It generally follows the same beat, with a bit of variation between bars. While it is on the faster side, you only have to deal with eighth note cymbals during the verse.

Fukai Mori

Inuyasha

Tabs | BPM = 81

This lovely ending from Inuyasha is definitely a song to try out if you want something on the slower side that will give you a challenge, but is a bit more consistent than Ichiban no Takaramono. If you haven’t realized it yet, slow Japanese songs will usually have more complicated drums rhythms 😛

Diver

Naruto

Tabs | BPM = 160

This is such a sentimental song from Naruto. It has a somewhat comfortable tempo, and the rhythms are pretty consistent during their parts. If you’re a drummer who plans to use a lot of bass drum in the future, the chorus is a great place to work on that skill.

Colors

Code Geass

Tabs | BPM = 136

This song has a comfortable tempo with a variety of beats ranging from simple to medium. I think is a great song to work on your cymbal rolls and building speed.

Inferno

Fire Force

Tabs | BPM = 185

If you want a song where drums play a prominent part in the song without your part being too difficult, I’d say this a great head banger. You only get quarter note symbols during this song. You get a simple bass drum verse, and the main beat repeats. But don’t be fooled, there’s still a handful of fun fills to work on your coordination and timing. .

Uragiri no Yuuyake

Durarara!!

Tabs | BPM = 156

I chose this as my band’s first song for a good reason, it’s super easy for all instruments. The first beat carries on from the intro to the end of the pre-chorus. You then get a new rhythm which appears simple, but helps you work on opening and closing your hi-hat throughout. Consider it a repetitive drum workout that you can memorize in a couple days and play for fun.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this article and found at least a handful of songs you like and would like to learn. I know how hard it could be to find beginner anime songs as an otaku musician myself. If you’d like to support me and my blog, please leave me a tip on Ko-Fi! Anything helps me keep this site running and ad free 🙂

If these songs were a bit too easy for you, I have an article with 25 Cool & Challenging Anime Songs for Drums, and 15 Fast Anime Songs for Drummers!

If you have other beginner songs in mind, or have an idea for a future article, please leave your comments below. And if you’re interested in studying and understanding Japanese music more, be sure to join my Facebook group, “Let’s Study Japanese Music!”

DRUM ON!