Cool Easy Things to Play on Piano
If playing the piano always felt intimidating because of the difficulty of classical music, this article is for you! Along with being fun to play, thanks to their catchy tunes and easy forms, these songs make the learning process a lot easier.
The songs on this list are great for beginners because of their repetitive melodies and simple harmonic structures, which usually consist of a few chords. Starting simple and then increasing the difficulty allows you to build solid foundations.
If you don't know how to read notes, don't be afraid. Many classical music teachers will object to this, but if your goal is just to enjoy the music, you don't need to read notes anymore. Audio-visual learning is already taking the place of written materials today. With the new generation piano tutorial videos, you have the opportunity to see which note you are going to play without any music knowledge, thanks to the sliding colored boxes on the screen, "piano roll screen" as we call it. If the song is too fast, you can even slow down the video or loop any section to practice certain parts. These types of videos provide the opportunity to learn by establishing direct visual connections, so it decreases the learning time a lot.
Let's leave all this technical information aside and take a look at the songs we have prepared for you! We chose over 50 easy piano songs for beginners for you to enjoy as you step into the piano world.
Table of Contents
- Here is a List of Easy Piano Songs
- 1. Let It Go of Frozen
- 2. Believer by Imagine Dragons
- 3. Perfect by Ed Sheeran
- 4. Havana by Camila Cabello
- 5. Clocks by Coldplay
- 6. Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars
- 7. Someone Like You by Adele
- 8. Jurassic Park Theme Song
- 9. Everything I Wanted by Billie Eilish
- 10. Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
- 11. My Heart Will Go On of Titanic
- 12. Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
- 13. What About Us by P!nk
- 14. If I Ain't Got You by Alicia Keys
- 15. I'm Yours by Jason Mraz
- 16. Diamonds by Rihanna
- 17. Superstition by Stevie Wonder
- 18. I Want You Back by The Jackson 5
- 19. Shape Of My Heart by Sting
- 20. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics
- 21. Halo by Beyonce
- 22. The Scientist by Coldplay
- 23. Back To Black by Amy Winehouse
- 24. Happy by Pharrell Williams
- 25. Girls Like You by Maroon 5
- 26. Let It Be by The Beatles
- 27. Lemon Tree by Fools Garden
- 28. Imagine by John Lennon
- 29. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
- 30. Interstellar Main Theme by Hans Zimmer
- 31. The Simpsons Theme Song
- 32. The Godfather Theme Song
- 33. The Pink Panther Theme Song
- 34. Creep by Radiohead
- 35. The Addams Family Theme Song
- 36. Pirates Of The Caribbean Theme Song
- 37. Mamma Mia of ABBA
- 38. GhostBusters Theme Song
- 39. Demons of Imagine Dragons
- 40. Super Mario Theme Song
- 41. Pokemon Theme Song
- 42. The Phantom Of The Opera Theme Song
- 43. Comptine d'un autre été of Amélie
- 44. Bella Ciao of La Casa De Papel
- 45. Stranger Things Theme Song
- 46. This Is Halloween of The Nightmare Before Christmas
- 47. Summertime Sadness of Lana Del Rey
- 48. Harry Potter Theme Song
- 49. Royals by Lorde
- 50. Rolling in the Deep by Adele
- 51. All Of Me by John Legend
- 52. You're Beautiful by James Blunt
- 53. Chandelier by Sia
- 54. Feel by Robbie Williams
- 55. Blinding Lights by The Weeknd
- 56. Get Lucky by Daft Punk
Here is a List of Easy Piano Songs
1. Let It Go of Frozen
Genre: Soundtrack
Disney's animated feature film Frozen was released in 2013 and "Let It Go" was the first song from a Disney animated musical to reach the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 since 1995. Music and lyrics were composed by the husband-and-wife songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. It was performed by Idina Menzel. Also, there is a pop version of the song sung by Demi Lovato.
The left hand is pretty easy to learn so you can start by practicing and memorizing it. Of course, you should be practicing section by section instead of playing the whole tune. For each section practice the left hand first by singing the right-hand melody and then add the right hand. Try to keep the same finger numbers for the same melodies throughout the song.
2. Believer by Imagine Dragons
Genre: Pop
"Believer" was released in 2017 as the lead single from the band's third studio album, "Evolve". The song spent more than a year in Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number four and being one of the best-selling songs in the USA in 2017. It was also featured in the trailer of "Murder on the Orient Express".
You can practice the right hand individually first to clean the possible mistakes. Be careful with the rhythm at the intro. Also, the rhythm of the right-hand melody before the chorus can be confusing but you can simplify it if you need to. During the chorus left hand gives the groove so try to be precise in the rhythmic feeling of that part.
3. Perfect by Ed Sheeran
Genre: Pop
"Perfect" was released in 2017 as the 4th single from Ed Sheeran's third album "÷". With the aid of Will Hicks, Sheeran produced the song himself. He also collaborated with his brother to provide strings orchestration for the song. The song is a romantic ballad written about his wife-to-be Cherry Seaborn, whom he knew from school and then reconnected with when she was working in New York. It became his second Billboard Hot 100 Number One song right after "Shape Of You". Sheeran later made a duet version of the song with Beyoncé.
If the left-hand melody on the tutorial feels easy for you, you can try adding a lower octave to it. It will sound more powerful that way. But be careful with the long jump on right hand in the chorus. It jumps an octave higher, try not to lose focus on the bass at the same time. Chords of the chorus are the same as the verse but in a different order. It is a good example of how simple chord progressions can end up in good pop songs.
4. Havana by Camila Cabello
Genre: Pop
"Havana" is a tribute to Camila Cabello's hometown in Cuba where she was born and raised until 5 before moving to the USA. Naturally, it has all the Latin elements combined in a pop song. It reached number one in multiple countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. in 2017. She played herself in the music video received positive comments from critics.
After getting used to the notes, instead of playing straight, try to give a Latin feeling to the bass on your left hand. You can imagine a Latin percussion accompanying in your head to do so. The intro is super fun to play and it doesn't sound like an easy version at all. If you can sing or if you have a friend to sing you can ditch the melody and play the intro throughout the song with few variations.
5. Clocks by Coldplay
Genre: Alternative Rock
"Clocks" was released in 2003 by Coldplay for their second album A Rush of Blood to the Head. The song is based around a piano riff and includes ambiguous lyrics about themes of comparison and urgency. There are many remixes of the track and the riff was frequently sampled. It won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year. "Clocks" considered to be one of Coldplay's signature tracks, continues to receive critical recognition and is frequently put on lists that rate the best hits of the 2000s and of all time.
After the intro rest of the song is relatively easier so you should focus on the intro first. If the rhythm of the right-hand pattern at the intro feels complicated you can try counting in groups: "one two three, one two three, one two" This is called "8/8 pattern". You can use the sustain pedal to connect the notes in the pattern but don't forget to clean every time the chord changes in your left hand.
6. Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars
Genre: Pop
In 2010, Bruno Mars released Just the Way You Are as a debut solo single and the lead single for his first studio album. It quickly got the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 list and earned a 2011 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Bruno Mars reveals that he is a huge fan of songs that get right to the point such as 'You Are So Amazing' by Joe Cocker and 'Wonderful Tonight' by Eric Clapton. According to Mars "Just The Way You Are" shares the same feelings.
This easy version tutorial is nicely simplified with a minimal left-hand bass pattern and the vocal melody on the right hand. The left-hand plays the same shape in different positions, we call that shape the "fifth". If the rhythm of the right-hand melody feels too complex to you, try to sing at the same time. At first, it may be weird but It will be easier once you get used to it.
7. Someone Like You by Adele
Genre: Pop
"Someone like You" was written by Adele in the aftermath of a break-up of her relationship with a 30-year old guy she thought she'd marry. It stayed at the top of the chart in the UK for five weeks. The song also topped the charts in Australia, Ireland, Brazil, Italy, New Zealand, France, Switzerland, and has become Adele's second number one in the US. The sound is pretty simplistic with piano and vocals.
If you came this far, this song will be a step up. Finally, we see a typical piano accompaniment on the left hand during the chorus. Focus on the evenness of each note you can even try using a metronome to practice the left hand only. If that feels difficult, try to play the first notes of each four-note at first and then add the other notes.
8. Jurassic Park Theme Song
Genre: Soundtrack
The collaboration of director Steven Spielberg and composer John Williams is quite famous for its successful outcomes. Jurassic Park was one of those Spielberg-Williams collaborations that ended up being a classic. The movie was released in 1993 and the score also received widespread acclaim and it is often considered to be one of the most iconic and beloved scores of John William's career.
Pay attention to your left hand, especially when there are two notes at the same time. If you feel comfortable you can add a lower octave to it to make the song even more epic! Practice the right hand separately until you can play each section smoothly. Yes "each section", that means you should practice by dividing the song into sections as we mentioned many times before. You can try counting and then humming to internalize the melody.
9. Everything I Wanted by Billie Eilish
Genre: Pop
"Everything I Wanted" was written by 5 times Grammy-winner singer Billie Eilish and her producer brother Finneas. It can be described as a house and electronica-influenced pop and alternative pop track and it features minimalist production consisting of piano and downtempo bass guitar instrumentation. Inspired by a nightmare that she had, the song is about the close bond between Eilish and O'Connell; the lyrics are about him defending Eilish and making sure that nobody harms her.
Since the song itself is pretty minimalistic, the piano version is pretty easy too. You can add a lower octave to your left hand in the second chorus to make a variation. If you are using a keyboard or a digital piano, it probably has onboard effects. You can experiment with reverb and delay to make things more interesting.
10. Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
Genre: Pop
"Here Comes the Sun" was composed for the Beatles by George Harrison and is one of his best-known compositions. Harrison composed this song at his friend Eric Clapton's country house in early 1969. The lyrics reflect his joy at spring's arrival and the temporary respite from the corporate affairs of the band. As of today, with over 50 million plays, this was the most-streamed Beatles album in the UK.
When you play two notes at the same time on your right hand, try to select logical finger numbers to tie notes to each other. The bridge section can be a little complex with the arpeggios. Slow down the video if necessary. Try to memorize the bass first so you can focus on the right-hand melody later on. This song is quite challenging compared to others on this list. Try to enjoy it!
Popular Related Article: 30 Easy Classical Guitar Songs for Beginners
11. My Heart Will Go On of Titanic
Genre: Soundtrack
"My Heart Will Go On" is considered to be Celine Dion's signature song with worldwide sales estimated at 18 million copies. It is the main theme song to James Cameron's blockbuster film Titanic and was composed by James Horner. It won four Grammy Awards, Golden Globe Award, and the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song belongs to the Songs of the Century. It is one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Don't play so fast. Start with a tempo you feel comfortable and try to keep the same tempo until the end without changing it. If you can't keep up with that rhythm because of mistakes just go back and start with a slower tempo. Repeat this until you play without mistakes and then raise the tempo then repeat the same procedure.
12. Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
Genre: Pop
"Hallelujah" was written by Canadian singer Leonard Cohen and originally released on his album Various Positions (1984). However, it found greater popular acclaim through John Cale and Jeff Buckley. There are more than 300 variations of the song in various languages. The lyrics of the releases are mostly different from the original ones, including those performed during live shows by Leonard Cohen himself.
The tutorial is pretty easy so as the song itself. The left-hand plays fifths and the right-hand plays the vocal parts. Try to play the melody with a "swing" feels instead of playing straight. Swing rhythm is used in most jazz forms. You can think of the swing feel like a pattern of one long note followed by a short note.
13. What About Us by P!nk
Genre: Pop
"What About Us" is a song released for her seventh studio album Beautiful Trauma (2017), by the American singer-songwriter Pink. It is an upbeat EDM song with influences from four on the floor, club, and electronic music. The song's synthesizer-heavy production utilizes "pounding" drums, "glistening" keyboards, and a "pulsing" dance beat.
Focus on the rhythm and don't rush. You can learn the bass part first while singing and then you can practice the right hand. The form is quite easy to follow and repetitive. After you get familiar with the notes you can pay attention to dynamics. Try to play the chorus "forte". Forte means you hit the keys with higher velocity to get a higher volume and a harder sound.
14. If I Ain't Got You by Alicia Keys
Genre: Pop
"If I Ain't Got You" was released in February 2004 by Alicia Keys and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song won for "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" at the 2005 Grammy Awards. The song was inspired by the death of Aaliyah in 2001 and the September 11 attacks.
Well, this one is a little tricky compared to others, but if you came this far, it means you are ready to level up. Start slow and increase speed when you feel comfortable. Instead of going through the whole song at once, try to chop it into small pieces and loop them until you nail it a few times. Right-hand includes two voices; the melody on top and a supplement note on the bottom. If it feels too complicated you can only play the melody on top.
15. I'm Yours by Jason Mraz
Genre: Pop
"I'm Yours" is the first single of Jason Mraz from his third studio album "We Sing". The song was already being performed live for about five years before its release. Jason Mraz noted, "When I finally recorded it, my fans were relieved that we didn't overproduce it. We kept the feel and arrangement true to how we play it live." "I'm Yours" held the record for most weeks spent on Billboard Hot 100 charts with 76 weeks.
Focus on the left-hand rhythm at the intro and chorus. It acts as a percussive instrument in addition to filling bass frequencies. Practice with a metronome to get a cleaner rhythm if you can. Chords are pretty much the same throughout the song so you can focus on rhythmic parts.
16. Diamonds by Rihanna
Genre: Pop
"Diamonds" was on top of music charts in many countries, including the United States. It became Rihanna's twelfth number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100. The Recording Industry Association of America certified the song "Platinum" five times with sales of over 3.5 million digital copies in the country. It is one of the bestselling singles of all-time.
This tutorial introduces the use of chords finally. Instead of playing only the roots of the chords as a bass line, this time you play "triads". Triads are three-voice chords that are found in all pop songs. Try to use logical finger numbers to tie the chord to the next one. If you can sing you can ditch the right-hand melody, move the chord to the right hand, and then with the empty left hand, you can play the most bottom note of the chord one or two octaves lower.
17. Superstition by Stevie Wonder
Genre: Pop
"Superstition" is the lead single from Stevie Wonder's fifteenth studio album. One day in the recording sessions of the album, Jeff Beck came up with the opening drum beat for this song, while Stevie Wonder improvised over it until they produced the first demo that same day. The song reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the soul singles chart in 1973. Rolling Stone magazine ranked "Superstition" number 74 on the 500 Best Songs of All Time list in 2004.
Be careful with the intro, it starts with both hands playing the main pattern. Spend some time playing the intro, it is the core of the groove of this song and super fun to play especially if you have a clavinet sound on your digital piano. When the melody starts on the left hand, the bass gets simpler so you can focus on the melody. Pay attention to the chords on the right hand.
18. I Want You Back by The Jackson 5
Genre: Pop
"I Want You Back" is the first national single by the Jackson 5. Michael Jackson was the lead singer and he was just 11 when it was released by Motown in 1969. It quickly became the first number-one hit for the band and they appeared on television for the first time performing the song. "I Want You Back" was ranked 121st on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
This is pretty advanced compared to other songs so you should start slow. You can divide into small bits and practice those bits one by one. You can also split the hands and practice separately. Spend some time on the rhythm because it should be groovy at the end.
19. Shape Of My Heart by Sting
Genre: Pop
"Shape of My Heart" was released by Sting in 1993 as the fifth single from the album Ten Summoner's Tales. The song was co-written by guitarist Dominic Miller. It was already famous when it was used for the ending credits of the film Léon, starring Jean Reno and Natalie Portman. Sting explained that he wanted to tell the story of a "card player, a gambler who gambles not to win but to try to figure out something; to figure out some kind of mystical logic in luck, or chance; some kind of scientific, almost religious law."
Try to count 1,2,3,4 during the intro to embrace the groove of the song. Spend some time on the intro before going into verse. That intro is really beautiful so try to play it rightfully without rushing. Then you can go on to verse and practice left and right hands separately. Don't go to the chorus without cleaning the verse first.
20. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics
Genre: Pop
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" is the title track of the album of the same name by British new wave music duo Eurythmics. The song gave the duo worldwide attention and it became number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. On Rolling Stone's The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time issue in 2003, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" was ranked number 356. Many covers were made for the song by various artists including Marilyn Manson.
The bass on the left hand is pretty straight forward. On the right hand, there are two voices at the same time. On top, there is the melody and on the bottom, there is the additional chord note. If it feels complicated you can focus on the top melody first and then add additional notes to the bottom. You can try rhythmic variations on your left hand to spice things up.
21. Halo by Beyonce
Genre: Pop
"Halo" was released by Beyonce in 2008. It was written by Evan Bogart and Ryan Tedder in just three hours and they thought about what was happening in her life and her relationship with Jay-Z while writing. It is a pop/R&B power ballad with the elements of gospel and soul music. "Halo" was nominated for Record of the Year and won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. It won Best Song at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards. "Halo" topped the singles charts in many words.
The chords are the same throughout the whole song. The only difference for the left hand is the chorus. Although chords are the same, voicings are different to give more power. Try to be precise in rhythm during the intro. It should be like a clock.
22. The Scientist by Coldplay
Genre: Pop
Coldplay released "The Scientist" in 2002 in their second album. It is a beautiful piano ballad with melancholic lyrics. Chris Martin wrote "The Scientist" after listening to George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass". It reached number 10 in the UK Charts and the music video won three MTV Music Video Awards.
The first part starts with chords on the right and bass on the left hand. Then the left hand takes over the chords and the right hand plays the melody. This kind of arrangement is especially good if you have a bass player to play with you. Try to be fluent in chord changes. Also, pay attention to the rhythm during the intro.
23. Back To Black by Amy Winehouse
Genre: Pop
"Back To Black" was released by Amy Winehouse in her second and last studio album of the same name in 2006. It was written by Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson. It is considered to be one of Winehouse's signature songs. It tells about Amy Winehouse's breakup with her boyfriend. She described the song " 'Back to Black' is when you've finished a relationship and you go back to what's comfortable for you. My ex went back to his girlfriend and I went back to drinking and dark times."
We didn't choose an extra easy version this time. Because there is already a super fun piano partition in this piece. You can omit the melody in red and focus on the yellow parts. Your left-hand plays the bass and right plays the chords. Don't use the sustain pedal because the right hand plays "staccato". Pay attention to groove and rhythm.
24. Happy by Pharrell Williams
Genre: Pop
Pharrell Williams wrote and recorded "Happy" for the soundtrack of the animated film "Despicable Me 2". The song has been highly successful, peaking at No. 1 in more than 20 countries and won many awards including multiple Grammy Awards. It was the most successful song of 2014, with 13.9 million units worldwide. "Happy" is an uptempo soul and neo-soul song with Pharell's distinctive falsetto voice.
There are two different sections in this song. During the verse, the right hand plays the same chord with the riff. During the chorus, chords are a little different. Spend some time on the rhythm of the song. You should be able to change between sections flawlessly. The right hand is pretty straight forward with the main melody.
25. Girls Like You by Maroon 5
Genre: Pop
"Girls Like You" was recorded by Maroon 5 for their sixth studio album Red Pill Blues in 2017. Later on, it was re-released in a second version with Cardi B's collaboration. It spent 7 weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and 33 weeks in the top 10. "Girls Like You" has won multiple awards including a Grammy.
The intro may seem easy but you should spend some time on it to memorize the chords. Because during the chorus same chords are played in a more complex pattern. You can use the sustain pedal to connect the bass and the chord for each chord change in the chorus. If the right-hand melody feels awkward you can try to sing at the same time.
26. Let It Be by The Beatles
Genre: Pop
"Let It Be" was written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon and released in 1970 as the title track of the Beatles' album "Let It Be". At the time the song helped The Beatles to win the record having the number-one hits during seven years in a row. They shared this achievement with Elvis Presley!
Try to focus on the chords at the beginning. If you can sing or have a singer around, you can play these chords throughout the song instead of playing the melody on the right hand. The left hand serves as the bass and rhythm so try to be on time with your left hand. You can even use a metronome to practice timing. If you're looking for easy piano songs that sound complicated but aren't, this is a great option
27. Lemon Tree by Fools Garden
Genre: Pop
"Lemon Tree" was released in 1995 by the German band Fool's Garden and it quickly became a major international hit. It reached number one in many European countries and remained at number one for four weeks in Germany. Peter Freudenthaler said that he wrote the song on a Sunday afternoon when he was waiting for his girlfriend.
If you feel warmed up with the previous songs, prepare yourself for a bigger challenge. Intro chords are super fun to play and the short notes, "staccato" as we call them, sound really nice on piano. In the verse it can be challenging to play the left hand with all the jumping bass + chords, however, you can start with just bass and right-hand melody. Or you can ditch the melody and play the bass and the chords with both hands so you leave the melody for singing.
28. Imagine by John Lennon
Genre: Pop
"Imagine" was released in 1971 by John Lennon in his album of the same name. The book "Grapefruit" by Yoko Ono inspired Lennon to write this song. Broadcast Music, Inc. sees "Imagine" as one of the most-played songs of the 20th century. It was ranked 30th by the recording industry Association of America in its Songs of the Century list. It also belongs to the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Start with both hands. After getting used to playing correct notes, you should focus on the rhythm before going to verse. Create a good foundation by spending some time on the intro. If you can sing the melody you can ditch the melody and play the intro during the verse. Try experimenting with the sustain pedal.
29. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Genre: Pop Jazz
Originally "Over the Rainbow" was written for the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" but it has been covered by many artists including Kamakawiwo'ole, Ariana Grande, Eva Cassidy, and many more. The original version was sung by actress Judy Garland and it became her signature song winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) ranked the song number one on their Songs of the Century list. The ballad was composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg.
You can divide the piece into different sections and practice each of them separately instead of following the whole video. Start with the intro and play it until it sounds flawless. After learning the intro, practice the left-hand first then continue with the right-hand melody after feeling comfortable. The left-hand includes bass and the chords together, so you should be easily jumping between different chords. Don't play fast just focus on staying on the beat while practicing slowly.
30. Interstellar Main Theme by Hans Zimmer
Genre: Soundtrack
In 2014 Interstellar hit the scenes and still considered one of the best movies by Christopher Nolan. The music was composed by Hans Zimmer. Did you know that Nolan decided not to give a script or any plot details to Zimmer to write the music for the film, but only provided the composer a single page explaining the story of a father leaving his child for work? It was via this connection that the early stages of the Interstellar soundtrack were produced by Zimmer. Zimmer and Nolan later agreed that the primary instrument for the score would be a 1926 four-manual Harrison & Harrison organ.
Your left hand should be accurate like a clock so spend some time on the rhythm. You can practice with a metronome if you want. You can divide the song into four parts and practice each separately. In each part, there is a repeating E note. In Part C and Part D, your right-hand takes the lead to play this repeating note. You can think of it as a separate instrument.
31. The Simpsons Theme Song
Genre: Soundtrack
The main title theme for the animated television series The Simpsons was composed by famous composer Danny Elfman in1989. Elfman is mostly known for his music to Tim Burton movies but he once noted that The Simpsons' main theme has been the most popular piece of his career. It's not a surprise since the show has been quite popular since the early days. The theme won the National Music Award for "Favorite TV Theme" in 2002 and has won the BMI TV Music Award in 1996, 1998, and 2003. In 1990, the theme was nominated for the Emmy for "Outstanding Achievement in Main Title Theme Music".
Start with practicing the right-hand melody first. Some parts may be complicated at first. If it sounds awkward you can listen to the original version to hear the melody in the context. This way you can get familiar with it and you can sing while playing. After getting comfortable with the melody you can start adding the bass with your left hand. If you feel lost in the rhythm while playing both hands pay attention to the moments your both hand play at the same time and try to memorize those notes.
32. The Godfather Theme Song
Genre: Soundtrack
The famous instrumental theme of the famous movie "The Godfather" was originally composed as a song named "Speak Softly, Love" in 1972. It was composed by Nino Rota and Larry Kusik wrote the lyrics. Rota's score was nominated for a 1973 Academy Award for Best Original Score, but it was eliminated from consideration after the Academy heard that Rota had used a more comedic version of the song for the film Fortunella in 1958. However, Rota's score for The Godfather Part II won the 1974 Academy Award for Best Music although it included the same piece.
Pay attention to the melody. It is one of the most known melodies of all time so spend some time and try to memorize it. Even after you learn it you shouldn't rush while practicing without the video. Pick a nice slow tempo and try to end with the tempo you started. You can add a lower octave to your left hand if it feels too easy for you.
33. The Pink Panther Theme Song
Genre: Soundtrack
The theme was written by Henry Mancini for the 1963 film The Pink Panther. Henry Mancini specifically picked Plan Johnson for he famous saxophone solo in the tune. The cartoon character in the opening credits was animated in time to the tune and Mancini mentioned that "All the accents in the music were timed to actions on the screen". The theme was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Score at the 37th Academy Awards.
Try to play the song with a "swing" feel instead of playing with a straight rhythm. Swing rhythm is used in most jazz forms. You can think of the swing feel like a pattern of one long note (Dotted note) followed by a short note. You should practice your left hand until you forget it while playing both hands. Melody is constructed in "Blues Scale". It is a common scale used in jazz songs.
34. Creep by Radiohead
Genre: Pop Rock
Creep was released in 1992 by English alternative rock band Radiohead for their debut studio album, Pablo Honey. At first, it was not a chart success, but it quickly became a worldwide hit after the re-release in 1993. Radiohead had to share credits after legal action by "the Hollies" claiming it was stolen from their 1972 song "The Air That I Breathe". You can listen to it and decide if it sounds similar or not.
The intro is a little trickier than the rest of the song but it is very pretty and fun to play. Try to stay in the rhythm while playing the right hand in the intro. Those patterns are called "arpeggios" and you can use a sustain pedal to connect notes to each other. Don't forget to clean the pedal between bass changes. The rest is quite easy to play.
35. The Addams Family Theme Song
Genre: Soundtrack
The Addams Family was a 30-minute television series between 1964 and 1966 but one of the main reasons we still remember it is the famous opening theme. It was composed and sung by longtime Hollywood film and television composer Vic Mizzy. Many covers and alternative versions were made since the release and as a result, it took its place in popular culture. For many years, the intro to the song has been a staple at sporting events across Canada and the United States.
You can snap your fingers as in the video to stay in the rhythm during the silent notes. Divide the song into pieces and practice them separately until you feel comfortable. After the intro, you can memorize the right hand before learning the left hand or vice versa. When you come to 0:57 try to play the left hand "staccato". Staccato is an articulation signifying a note of shortened duration.
36. Pirates Of The Caribbean Theme Song
Genre: Soundtrack
The famous fantasy movie series Pirates of the Caribbean started in 2003 with "The Curse of the Black Pearl" which grossed $654 million worldwide! The franchise in total has grossed over $4.5 billion worldwide and became the 14th highest-grossing film series of all time! Music was composed by Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer. At the beginning composer Alan Silvestri was hired to write the score but after Silvestri had to leave the project the team asked Zimmer to write the score for "The Curse of the Black Pearl". However, Zimmer was busy scoring The Last Samurai so he asked a relatively new composer Klaus Badelt to collaborate.
The most significant and probably important part of this song is its characteristic rhythm. So pay attention to the rhythm pattern before jumping to the notes directly. You can practice by clapping to left-hand or right-hand notes while watching the video. Once you get comfortable with the rhythm go on and learn the notes but without the rhythm of the left hand. Just play long single notes at first for the left hand. When you feel familiar with the correct notes then you can use your experience from the rhythm practice you made.
37. Mamma Mia of ABBA
Genre: Pop Disco
Mamma Mia was released by Swedish pop group ABBA in 1975 as the opening track on their third album, the self-titled ABBA. Although the name of the song literally means "my mother", it was derived from Italian as an interjection used in situations of surprise, anguish, or excitement, similar to "my, my!" in English. It quickly became a worldwide hit and became number one in many international charts.
You should pay attention to the rhythm because it should be like a clock. You can play the beginning of the chorus softly or "piano" as we call it. Then when the left-hand goes to lower octaves you can play "forte". You can even add an octave to your left hand after you feel comfortable playing both hands. You can try singing or humming to get a good rhythmic foundation.
38. GhostBusters Theme Song
Genre: Soundtrack
"Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!" Ghostbusters was released in 1984 as the theme to the film of the same name and quickly became number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for three weeks! The song was written by Ray Parker Jr. however a lawsuit, regarding Parker's plagiarism of Huey Lewis and the News's song "I Want a New Drug", resulted in Lewis receiving a settlement. It was nominated at the 57th Academy Awards for Best Original Song.
The bass melody on your left hand also carries the rhythm of the song so pay attention to playing in a steady tempo. Once you feel comfortable you can learn the right-hand melody. If you know the lyrics you can try singing at the same time. You can memorize it quickly this way and the rhythm will make much more sense if you sing to it.
39. Demons of Imagine Dragons
Genre: Pop Rock
Imagine Dragons released "Demons" in 2013. It was written by Imagine Dragons and Alex da Kid, and produced by Alex da Kid. The song was a commercial success, becoming their second top ten single after "Radioactive". It spent twelve weeks in the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100. Within two years of its release, more than 4.1 million copies were sold in the United States, making it the eighth most-downloaded song in rock history.
The left-hand plays the same "fifth" shape in different positions. Try to get familiar with those first. Then you can learn the right-hand melody. Don't rush while playing it. You can sing to it if you know the lyrics. Try to play with the dynamics too. You can play the verse "piano" meaning softly and play the chorus "forte".
40. Super Mario Theme Song
Genre: Soundtrack
The "Overworld Theme" of the famous video game "Super Mario Bros." was composed by Koji Kondo in 1985. After "Super Mario Bros.", it went on to become the theme of the series and has been a fixture in most of its titles. It has been reused and remixed in many other Nintendo-published games. Kondo composed six tracks for the game and according to him, this one was the hardest to compose.
Start slow and instead of trying to play the whole song at once with the video, try to divide the song into different sections and practice them individually. Don't rush and try to play as clean as possible before going to the next section. Once you get familiar with the melodies you can add the left hand later on. You can try humming to memorize the melodies if you want.
41. Pokemon Theme Song
Genre: Soundtrack
Pokemon was a commercial success as a TV anime series. The theme was written as an English adaptation by John Siegler and John Loeffler and performed by Jason Paige. The lyrics "Gotta catch 'em all!" became the official English slogan for the franchise and it is derived from the Japanese slogan ("ポケモンGETだぜ!", "Pokémon getto da ze!") The song was covered by various groups and people.
Practice both hands separately at first. Start with learning the melody and when you feel comfortable playing it without many mistakes you can add the left-hand bass melody. If you know the lyrics you can try to sing at the same time while learning the left hand. This way you can understand the groove of the song better.
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42. The Phantom Of The Opera Theme Song
Genre: Soundtrack
Even before the famous stage musical "The Phantom Of The Opera" hit theaters, the theme became a UK hit single in 1986. It was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics written by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, and additional lyrics by Mike Batt. Although there are some plagiarism allegations claimed by Ray Repp and Roger Waters separately.
The intro starts with "Unison" notes meaning you play the same notes with both hands in different octaves. After the intro and the chorus, the song modulates three times moving the root from D minor to G minor and to E minor at the end. So if you learn the first part then basically you know the rest of the song, you just move the same notes to a different position and that's it. This tutorial is a slow version so you can speed it up if you feel comfortable.
43. Comptine d'un autre été of Amélie
Genre: Soundtrack
The story of the music of the French movie Amélie is quite interesting. Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet chanced upon Yann Tiersen's accordion- and piano-driven music while traveling with his production assistant, who put on a CD he hadn't heard before. Greatly fascinated, he quickly purchased the entire catalog from Tiersen and ultimately contracted him to write pieces for the film. The soundtrack won the World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Score of the Year in 2001 and César Award for Best Music Written for a Film in 2002.
We've chosen a slow version but you can increase the speed of the video after practicing it enough. You can start by learning the left hand first. Since it will repeat itself throughout the song it's better to get used to it before it gets more complicated. Then you can practice the right hand by dividing it into different sections.
44. Bella Ciao of La Casa De Papel
Genre: Folk
Originally "Bella Ciao" is an Italian protest folk song meaning "Goodbye beautiful". Paddy field worker women in the late 19th century used to sing it to protest against harsh working conditions. But it was modified and adopted as an anthem of the anti-fascist Italian resistance. The song has remained in popular culture since then. It recently became popular again when it was used in the Spanish TV series La Casa De Papel in 2017.
Melody is quite catchy and familiar so you can try singing at the same time while practicing. It will help to build a better rhythmic foundation for the song. You can add a lower octave to your left hand if it feels easy. The tutorial we chose is a slow version so you can speed it up when you feel comfortable with the melody. But try to finish with the tempo you started even if you are playing in a fast tempo.
45. Stranger Things Theme Song
Genre: Soundtrack
American science fiction horror series Stranger Things was premiered in 2016 and since then it has been one of the most-watched series online. The music has its share in the success of the series. It has been listened to by millions since then and used in many events. The extensive use of synthesizers fits the 1980s theme of the show perfectly. The theme was composed by the band "Survive" formed of Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein. They were inspired by Giorgio Moroder, Vangelis, Jean-Michel Jarre.
Try to be rhythmically precise with your right hand. You can count or use a metronome to stay in the beat. After you learn the correct notes, you can use the sustain pedal to tie to notes. But be sure to clean the pedal when the left-hand plays a different note. Pay attention to the dynamics of the pianist in the video. Try to mimic when he gets quiet or loud.
46. This Is Halloween of The Nightmare Before Christmas
Genre: Soundtrack
The Nightmare Before Christmas was a Tim Burton movie and guess which composer he likes to work with most! Danny Elfman of course. Elfman scored for 16 Burton-directed films including Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Alice in Wonderland, and Dumbo. "This Is Halloween" was performed by the residents of the fictional "Halloween Town" in the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Imagine a marching band and play the left hand, in the same manner, emphasizing each note during staccato (short) notes. But when the left-hand plays legato (long) notes it is the opposite character. Pay attention to musical details like this in all your exercises. Don't forget to divide the piece into different sections while practicing. This one can be a little more complicated than the others on this list. However, if you think of different sections as different songs and spend enough time for each of them you will quickly get used to it.
47. Summertime Sadness of Lana Del Rey
Genre: Pop
"Summertime Sadness" was released in 2012 by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey for her second studio album, Born to Die. Many covers and remixes were made for the song. A remix version of Summertime Sadness by Cedric Gervais became quite successful around the world and as a result, it won a 2014 Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical.
You can learn the lyrics and start singing it with this video even before learning to play it. Even if you can't sing just try to hum while clapping. First, it will help to internalize the rhythm, and second, it is super fun! Then start learning the right-hand melody while singing or humming. Then you can add the left-hand melodies which are relatively easier to memorize. You can play with the dynamics after getting all the notes right. Try to switch between soft and hard when you go to a different section.
48. Harry Potter Theme Song
Genre: Soundtrack
The iconic music of Harry Potter has been famous as much as the movies or the books. The main theme and the score for the first three movies are composed by John Williams. However, the main theme can be found in all eight of the main Harry Potter films with variations. The soundtrack was nominated for Best Original Score at the 74th Academy Awards. However, Williams lost to Howard Shore's score of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
You can memorize the right-hand melody by singing to it. Also, you should be careful with your left hand because there are a few unexpected notes throughout the song. Once you get the right notes and the right rhythm you can speed the video up because we chose a slow version to make the learning process even easier. You can use a sustain pedal to tie the notes and give more ambiance to sound but don't forget to clean the pedal whenever your left-hand plays a different note.
49. Royals by Lorde
Genre: Pop
Royals hit the charts in 2013 and it is still considered to be one of the best pop songs of the decade. It started the career of New Zealand singer Lorde and sold 10 million units worldwide! And at that time she was just 17! The minimalist instrumentation of "Royals" combines art-pop and electro-pop with hip hop and indie influences.
If you are a beginner you can learn the right hand first and then the left hand. When you feel fluent in both hands separately then you can combine them. Don't worry about the rhythm of the left hand at first. Focus on playing the right notes on the left hand and the right notes plus the right rhythm on your right hand. After you practice for a while if you feel comfortable with the notes then you can focus on the rhythm and groove of the song.
50. Rolling in the Deep by Adele
Genre: Pop
Did you know that Adele wanted to make a sorrowful song about her break-up with her boyfriend and with the suggestion of her producer she turn it into "Rolling In The Deep"? Adele clarified that the song's name was taken from the slang "roll deep" which means "always to have someone who is by your side and helps in difficult moments". It won three Grammy Awards to Adele. The music video also won three awards! It was the first song of Adele that reached a number-one position in the USA.
This version is relatively easy compared to others on the list. A simple bass pattern moves around the same chords. You play two notes; the root and the fifth. This voicing is pretty common because it gives the "power chord" effect in electric guitar. Spend some time on the rhythm of the melody in the right hand. You can sing at the same time to get the groove.
51. All Of Me by John Legend
Genre: Pop
"All Of Me" is the third single from John Legend's 4th studio album "Love in the Future" (2013). The song is a gentle piano ballad inspired by Chrissy Teigen, his then-fiancée, now wife. It became number two of best-selling songs in the United States and number three of best-selling songs world-wide in 2014. It received positive reviews from music critics. Dutch electronic producer Tiësto released a remix of the song in 2014.
Spend some time with the bass on the left hand first. It is generally two voices together but instead of copying the same shape around, notes are sometimes closer to each other and sometimes far away from each other. This technique is called "voicing" in music theory. The right hand is the vocal melody as usual. This is another one of those easy piano songs that sound complicated but aren't really.
52. You're Beautiful by James Blunt
Genre: Pop
"You're Beautiful" remains James Blunt's biggest hit single to this day. It was released in 2005 It topped the UK, US, and Canada charts quickly and reached the Billboard Hot 100 at top 40. However, at the same time, it took number-seven place on Rolling Stone's list of the 10 most annoying songs of all time! So it is a love-hate relationship when it comes to this song. It is a pop-rock/soft-rock song written by Blunt, Sacha Skarbek, and Amanda Ghost.
You can add a lower octave to the left hand if you feel comfortable. You can also practice using the pedals on this song. Use the sustain pedal (The one on the right) to connect notes. Don't forget to clean the pedal by removing your foot and pressing again every time the bass changes in your left hand.
53. Chandelier by Sia
Genre: Pop
Six years since the release of "Chandelier" and it still gives goosebumps every time I listen to it. It is the lead single from Sia's sixth studio album "1000 Forms of Fear" and the first for her to be in Billboard Hot 100 in the USA. The song is considered to be the best song of 2014 according to Billboard. The music video for this song is among the most-watched on YouTube, reaching 2.2 billion views as of 2020. Sia not only wrote this electro-pop ballad but she also gave a jaw-dropping vocal performance in this song.
The left hand is simple enough to add some variations after getting comfortable with the song. For example, after the verse, you can add a lower octave to your left hand to sound more powerful. You don't have to play the right-hand melody exactly the same as the video, try to sing to it, then you can simplify it if necessary.
54. Feel by Robbie Williams
Genre: Pop
"Feel" was released in 2002 by British singer-songwriter Robbie Williams as the lead single from his fifth album. It quickly became an international hit. Although "Feel" failed to reach the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, it was the most played song in Europe in 2003. It was written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers. Williams decided to keep the vocals from the demo he recorded in 1999.
Feel is probably one of the most fun pieces to play on the piano. The right-hand plays the chords and the left hand accompanies the related bass in two octaves. You can use the sustain pedal to connect the chords. Don't forget to clean it when chords change. Be careful at the ending, bass slightly changes.
55. Blinding Lights by The Weeknd
Genre: Pop
"Blinding Lights" was released at the end of 2019 and it is the second single of Canadian singer The Weeknd from his fourth studio album "After Hours". It peaked at number one in thirty-four countries, including the United States and Canada, where it became The Weeknd's fifth number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks. It was even used in a Mercedes-Benz commercial of their first all-electric car!
The bass on the left hand is pretty simple in this song. Try to get used to the notes in the right-hand melody. This is a typical example of melodies that are constructed inside the pentatonic scale. The melody goes up and down around the same five notes. You can also experiment with the sustain pedal to tie the notes.
56. Get Lucky by Daft Punk
Genre: Pop
French electronic music duo Daft Punk released "Get Lucky" in 2013, featuring vocals by Pharrell Williams and guitars by Nile Rodgers. The single reached the top ten in over 32 countries' music charts and sold over 9.3 million copies, making it one of the best-selling singles ever. It won awards for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, during which Stevie Wonder joined to perform the song.
The left-hand plays the same chords throughout the song. Although it looks different in the chorus it is still the same pattern but in a different "inversion". Spend some time memorizing the left-hand shapes before adding the right hand. Practice until you don't even have to look to find the right notes. Then you can add the melody.
Wrap Up:
That does it for this article. Let us know what your favorite easy songs to play on piano are and if there are any we should add to our list!
My name is Chris and I've had a passion for music and guitars for as long as I can remember. I started this website with some of my friends who are musicians, music teachers, gear heads, and music enthusiasts so we could provide high-quality guitar and music-related content.
I've been playing guitar since I was 13 years old and am an avid collector. Amps, pedals, guitars, bass, drums, microphones, studio, and recording gear, I love it all.
I was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania. My background is in Electrical Engineering, earning a Bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University. With my engineering experience, I've developed as a designer of guitar amplifiers and effects. A true passion of mine, I've designed, built, and repaired a wide range of guitar amps and electronics. Here at the Guitar Lobby, our aim is to share our passion for Music and gear with the rest of the music community.
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