o, you’ve decided to learn how to play the piano - but where to start? There are so many songs to choose from, and it can be next to impossible to know which are the best piano songs for beginners. Although you may have a teacher who assigns you songs and helps you learn how to play them, it can also be very helpful to know which songs are ideal for those just starting out. That way you can even practice the piano on your own time and make progress fast.
Something that’s important when you’re selecting the best piano songs for beginners is that you find songs you enjoy playing, even though they are simple for learners to play. You don’t necessarily have to play “kid” songs just because you are starting out learning how to play the piano. There are several popular songs that are easy for beginners to learn. We have found 10 songs for you to try as you begin learning.
Before listing the 10 songs for beginners, have a look at some tips regarding how to play piano songs for beginners. In addition to the actual songs, it’s important to understand the basics that will help you get off to a great start. Teachers have many tips for new students that will serve you well as you begin your journey into playing piano.
One of the first considerations you’ll want to make as you look for the best piano songs for beginners is to look at how many notes the song requires you to play. Clearly, fewer notes mean that you can tackle the song even at a beginner level.
Many piano songs for beginners will also require you to understand how to play multiple notes at the same time. When you play multiple notes at the same time, that is called a chord. Many of the songs listed here have four chords or fewer. Once you know how to play chords, you can easily play these songs.
Whether you’re a child or an adult, there’s no reason that you have to play only kids’ songs just because you’re a beginner. While “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” may be simple to play on the piano, it probably isn’t why you’re learning how to play. In this list, you’ll find several pop songs that a beginner can easily play. That’s because many pop songs use simple four-chord sequences that you can duplicate on your own piano with just a bit of practice.
It’s important to choose songs that you actually enjoy playing. If you like the music you’re learning, even if you’re just a beginner, you’ll feel more encouraged and motivated to keep going. After all, learning to play the piano should be enjoyable even in the early stages.
You’re probably anxious to start playing complicated songs that you enjoy, but as with any new skill, you have to master the basics before you can get better. Although playing scales may not be fun or seem interesting, it is part of the piano-playing technique that will allow you to increase your agility and accuracy as you play.
Another thing to be aware of is that you don’t have to rush. Proper technique comes with time, and you can’t speed through learning to play the piano. The point in the early stages isn’t necessarily to be as fast as you can, but rather to master the basics of coordination and hand positioning so that you can move forward. That being said, as you attempt these piano songs for beginners, don’t feel pressured to play them at tempo right off the bat. Start slowly, and build progress as you become more skilled in your playing.
Sometimes an easy way to learn how to play a song is by taking just a bite-size part of the song and learning that. There are several examples of more complicated songs that can be broken down into their separate parts. A beginner can focus on just a portion of a song and become fluent in that easier portion rather than the entire song.
The piano is a versatile instrument and, as such, you don’t have to limit yourself to playing just classical songs. This list gives you a choice between classical selections and pop selections, so you can decide which styles you like the best. While they are easy for beginners, they will also challenge your newfound skills and help you strive to improve.
So, without further ado, here is a list of 10 great piano songs for beginners that you can get started on right away. Take it slow and give yourself time to master the chords. Have patience and perseverance and you will certainly move forward in your playing.
Adele’s “Someone Like You” was a phenomenal pop hit when it was first released in 2011. It’s also a great piano song for beginners because it only has four chords that repeat: A, E, F# minor, and D. You play the four chords in a repeating pattern that has your fingers going bottom, middle, up, middle.
You can practice the four-chord sequence very slowly at first, and then as you gain confidence, you can increase the speed until the tempo is just right. Once you’ve mastered the four-chord sequence on the right hand, you can add in the left hand for the intro.
This is a Michael Jackson classic, hailing back to the year 1982 when Jackson’s landmark album “Thriller” dropped. With this song, you only need to play three chords with your right hand. This is just for the synth part of the song. Modifying it in this way makes it easier for beginners. The chord sequence you play with your right hand is: F# minor, G# minor, A, and G# minor. Then you can add in the left hand, with a four-note bassline. It takes a bit of practice, but once you master this you can easily play the most recognizable riff from this Michael Jackson hit.
Camila Cabello’s popular song “Havana” is actually quite easy to transfer to the piano. Like the previous songs, this one also uses four chords that repeat throughout.
The song “We Are The Champions” by Queen is easily one of the most recognizable rock anthems out there. Luckily, it’s also quite easy to play on the piano.
Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer” is a classic piano theme. Joplin was born in Texas in 1868 and composed this song in 1902. This song came back into popular culture in 1972 because it was the theme for the Robert Redford movie “The Sting.” “The Entertainer” is recommended for beginners.
“Stay With Me” by Sam Smith is a great choice for beginners. It has only three chords that repeat throughout the entire song. If you can play A minor, F, and C, then you can play this song. Practice the chords with your left hand, and then add in the melody with your right hand.
Many beginning piano students learn Beethoven’s “Ode To Joy” as their very first piano song. You play the melody with your right hand and the notes with your left hand. This one is so easy that many beginning players can actually learn how to play it by ear.
This bubbly pop theme may seem challenging, but it’s actually a great song for piano beginners. It uses four chords that repeat throughout the song, so once you master the sequence, you can easily play the entire song.
This song uses only four notes, so you can master “Smoke On The Water” by Deep Purple quite easily. Another thing that makes this song easy for beginners is that it doesn’t change hand position. So, a beginner can learn the four notes and practice them with both hands.
Bach’s “Prelude to The Well-Tempered Clavichord” is another classic for beginners. It uses only two notes in the left hand, so it is a great way to get started. The right hand plays the arpeggios. This song is a good one to practice because it is short and sweet and can help you improve your two-hand dynamics.
Once you’ve mastered this selection of piano songs for beginners, you’ll be ready to tackle more complicated selections. It’s easy to find tutorial videos online and learn by watching them. Keeping a variety of songs on hand can help you stay motivated in your learning. Practice makes perfect, as they say, and that is especially true when learning how to play the piano. The more practice you put in, the more you’ll get out of your learning.