Simple Piano Songs for Beginners
Following on from our Easy Piano Songs piece that can be found here, we now look at a wonderful selection of piano songs for beginners who are looking for more variety.
We all know that the piano is a fantastic instrument, but sometimes it can be hard to find the right songs to play when you’re just starting out. If you’re a beginner pianist, never fear! Here are five great piano songs for beginners that will help you sound like a pro in no time. From classics to modern hits, there’s something for everyone on this list. So what are you waiting for? Get practicing!
Here’s a list of easy piano songs for beginners, along with a short explanation for each song:
“Do-Re-Mi” from The Sound of Music – This upbeat and recognizable song is a great introduction to basic music theory and can help develop a sense of rhythm.
“Amazing Grace” – The simple and beautiful melody of this classic hymn makes it a great choice for new pianists looking to develop their expression and tone.
“Swanee” by George Gershwin – This classic song is a fun, upbeat tune that’s great for developing rhythm and coordination.
“Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy – This romantic piece is a staple of classical music and is a great starting point for new pianists looking to expand their repertoire.
“Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin – This iconic piece is a must-learn for all pianists and is a great introduction to jazz and blues music.
“Yesterday” by The Beatles – This classic ballad is a great choice for new pianists looking to work on their expression and phrasing.
“Moonlight Sonata” by Ludwig van Beethoven – This famous piece is a staple of classical music and is a great starting point for new pianists looking to expand their repertoire.
“Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz – The slow, beautiful melody of this classic song makes it a great choice for new pianists looking to work on their expression and tone.
“Linus and Lucy” by Vince Guaraldi – The upbeat, playful melody of this song from the “Peanuts” soundtrack makes it a fun piece to learn.
“La La Land” by Justin Hurwitz – The upbeat and playful melody of this song from the movie “La La Land” makes it a fun piece to learn.
“Take Five” by Dave Brubeck – This classic jazz tune is a great starting point for new pianists looking to explore jazz and swing music.
“Jingle Bells” – This classic holiday tune is a fun and festive song that’s great for developing rhythm and coordination.
“My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic – The slow and beautiful melody of this song makes it a great choice for new pianists looking to work on their expression and tone.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – This classic holiday tune is a fun and festive song that’s great for developing rhythm and coordination.
“What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong – The simple and beautiful melody of this classic song makes it a great choice for new pianists looking to develop their expression and tone.
“Heart and Soul” Duet – This classic duet is a fun song to learn with a partner and can help new pianists practice playing with others.
“Für Rebekka” by Edward MacDowell – This romantic piece is a great choice for new pianists looking to develop their expression and phrasing.
“Moon River” by Henry Mancini – The slow, melodic pace of this song makes it a great choice for new pianists looking to work on their timing and expression.
“Take Me Out to the Ballgame” – This classic song is a fun and upbeat tune that’s great for developing rhythm and coordination. It’s also a recognizable tune, making it a great choice for new pianists looking to impress their friends and family.
“Maple Leaf Rag” by Scott Joplin – This classic ragtime piece is a great introduction to the genre and can help new pianists develop their rhythm and coordination.
“Brahms’ Lullaby” – This soft and soothing melody is a great choice for new pianists looking to work on their expression and phrasing.
“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri – The slow and beautiful melody of this song makes it a great choice for new pianists looking to work on their expression and tone.
Also consider this book called First 50 Popular Songs You Should Play On Piano, which is a great resource.
A Few more modern music options
These are great on a traditional piano or on your electronic version, such as a great Casio keyboard.
“Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi – The simple and beautiful melody of this popular ballad makes it a great choice for new pianists looking to develop their expression and tone.
“All of Me” by John Legend – This slow and romantic ballad is a great choice for new pianists looking to work on their expression and phrasing.
“Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran – This upbeat pop song is a fun piece to learn and can help new pianists develop their rhythm and coordination.
“Perfect” by Ed Sheeran – This slow ballad is a great choice for new pianists looking to work on their expression and phrasing.
“When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars – This slow and soulful ballad is a great choice for new pianists looking to work on their expression and phrasing.
Very Popular Piano Songs For Beginners.
We have a little more in-depth history for the following musical pieces.
“Heart and Soul”
“Heart and Soul” is a classic song that’s still a hit to this day. Recorded in 1938 by civil rights trio the Clovers, it’s been recorded by artists such as Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, and the Rolling Stones. Even after all these years, people still sing along with the lyrics: “One two three four five, once I caught a fish alive…” Hearing this timeless tune stirs up feelings of nostalgia since it was popular during generations before us. But more than that, its catchy melody has an upbeat spirit that reminds us what’s really important in life: family, friends, love…the heart and soul (pardon the pun).
“Für Elise” by Ludwig van Beethoven
“Für Elise” by Ludwig van Beethoven is an instantly familiar piece of classical music, known and appreciated worldwide. This iconic composition is almost 200 years old, yet remains timeless in its beauty. Although composed for the piano, it has been adapted to other instruments too, perfectly encapsulating the emotion of its original intent. The strong melodies and emotive dynamics still bring a sense of wonder to listeners today, whether they are hearing it for the very first time or have lost count of those before. It remains true that “Für Elise” is a classic that will forever be remembered as one of Beethoven’s masterpieces.
“Ode to Joy” by Ludwig van Beethoven
“Ode to Joy” by Ludwig van Beethoven is known as one of the world’s most recognizable pieces of music. Composed towards the end of his life in 1824, it speaks to a beauty that surpasses human understanding. Despite being written at a time when Beethoven himself was completely deaf, his vision for the piece only strengthened – testament to how deeply he had integrated music into his very existence. Every time I hear “Ode to Joy”, I am reminded of its timelessness and indeed, its miraculous power to move us all with its stirring melody.
“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” is a timeless nursery rhyme that has been bringing joy to children all over the world for generations. Although the original author of this classic childhood melody remains unknown, it is widely believed that it was first composed in England sometime in the early 19th century. It’s hard to go through life without hearing at least a few lines of this beloved song- whether it be someone singing it to comfort their crying toddler or an elementary school band playing an exciting rendition at a school assembly. Despite its age, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” still manages to delight and amuse people around the world today just as it did so many years ago.
“Jingle Bells”
Jingle Bells is one of the most popular songs in existence today. Every December, it’s funny how you can’t go anywhere without hearing it in some form or another. Whether it be blasting over big shopping centers and department stores, softly playing through a car radio, crooning from a child’s mouth, or some combination of all three—it always manages to put a smile on your face! As people rush around throughout the holiday season, the bright and cheerful hymn of Jingle Bells often brings with it a sense of joy and unity into our lives—a reminder to take a step back from the chaos and just enjoy.
The Piano Book for Adult Beginners is another great resource to check out.
Finishing Off
There are plenty of easy piano songs for beginners to learn and these cover all genres of music, so there is something to suit all tastes. Consider an app to help to learn too, this is easier for some people to improve their playing.