Easy Piano Songs You Can Learn

By  //  May 13, 2023

Studies have shown that playing the piano is good for you. It stimulates both hemispheres of your brain, promotes hand-eye coordination, and can improve your mental health.

In addition to these benefits, it’s also just plain fun. Playing the piano is a wonderful hobby whether you play for yourself or others.

If you’ve only been playing for a short while and are still developing your skills, you may wonder if there are easy piano songs for you. The answer is an unequivocal “Yes!” No matter the style of music you prefer, there is plenty of piano sheet music available at your level of performance.

Cool With Classics

Classical music and the piano are meant for each other. The earliest Classical music from the Baroque Period was composed for pre-piano keyboards, such as the harpsichord and clavichord. When the first pianos were invented around 1700, the earlier keyboard music was adapted for this new instrument. Soon the piano was the most popular keyboard instrument, inspiring composers up to the modern day to write beautiful pieces.

If you’d like to play Classical music, try some of these piano sheet music arrangements:

  • “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel – A perennial favorite for weddings and other special occasions, this piece originally for a chamber group sounds equally lovely on the piano.
  • “Ave Maria” by Franz Schubert – This is a famous vocal song that can be found for many piano solo levels. 
  • “Moonlight Sonata” by Ludwig van Beethoven – The original version of this piece is for more advanced players, but the easy piano version is just as beautiful.

Also, look for pieces from the “Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook” and the early Mozart piano compositions. There is plenty of repertoire in those collections to get you started. 

Roll With Rock

Do you say the pop/rock genre is more your scene? That’s great! You can learn to play everything from The Beatles to Lady Gaga. The most difficult part of playing pop/rock music on the piano tends to be the rhythm. If that’s the case for you, practice your piece very slowly at first, counting out each measure. Only speed it up to tempo when you are secure with the rhythms.

Here are some pop/rock sheet music songs for you to consider:

  • “Your Song” by Elton John – Do you want to impress a special someone? This song is a great way to do it. 
  • “Anti-Hero” by Taylor Swift – Swifties can do more than just listen to Tayler’s music, they can play it, too. With an uptempo number like this, you’ll have all your friends dancing.
  • “Dancing Queen” by ABBA – The ’70s had such a vibe and you can relive it with this fun ABBA tune.
  • “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen – A little more complex than other pop/rock songs, this epic piece is a nice challenge for early pianists.

Don’t forget that pop/rock piano songs make fun encores at recitals. Audiences always enjoy hearing piano arrangements of their favorite popular songs.

Sing With Soundtracks

Movies often have the best music. Composers such as Michael Giacchino and Howard Shore have composed memorable soundtracks that stay with the audience long after they leave the movie. And of course, there’s the legendary John Williams, who has been nominated for 53 Academy Awards, winning five. Playing his movie music on the piano is nothing short of pure joy. 

Ready to add film soundtracks to your piano repertoire? Take a look at these piano arrangements:

  • “The Imperial March” from “Star Wars” by John Williams – Turn to the Dark Side with this dramatic composition.
  • “Hedwig’s Theme” from “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by John Williams – Another favorite by this illustrious composer, the delicate touch required here is good for technique development.
  • “Merry-Go-Round of Life” from “Howl’s Moving Castle” by Joe Hisaishi – Hayao Miyazaki’s movies for Studio Ghibli are beloved by so many fans and beautiful music such as this is part of the reason why.
  • “The Pink Panther” by Henry Mancini – This is an oldie but goodie. Have fun with the swinging rhythms.

In addition to movie scores, there are arrangements of video game soundtracks. Many themes from  “Minecraft” or the Mario Brothers games are available as sheet music.

Belt With Broadway

Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Lowe, and Stephen Sondheim have captured the hearts and minds of millions with their Broadway shows. Add Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Schwartz to the mix and you’ve got everything you need for a concert of hit tunes. The fun thing about playing Broadway arrangements on the piano is that you can always sing along.

Popular Broadway songs for easy piano include:

  • “My Favorite Things” from “The Sound of Music” by Rodgers and Hammerstein – This is the quintessential feel-good song. 
  • “The Phantom of the Opera” from “The Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber – Opening in 1988, this is the longest-running musical on Broadway. It’s easy to see why with such an exciting opening number as this.
  • “When I Grow Up” from “Matilda: The Musical” by Tim Minchin – Add this irrepressibly charming song to your repertoire for an instant pick-me-up.

Like pop/rock music, Broadway songs can be very complex rhythmically, particularly if you’re playing a dance number. Listening to the original Broadway cast recording can help you learn the rhythms more quickly and accurately. 

Jam With Joy

Whichever genre of easy piano songs you choose, the point is to have fun. When pieces get difficult, and they will, don’t lose patience with yourself. Stop and assess what is happening. Is your left hand lost? Is your right hand playing incorrect notes? Identify the mistake and isolate it. Play the measure with the mistake very slowly, repeatedly, until it is correct. Then gradually return the section to the right tempo.

Choose a variety of songs to play. Diversity in your sheet music collection makes you a better pianist. When you’re ready, share your new songs with family and friends. Let them celebrate your progress with you.