Do you want to impress people with your piano skills, even if you’re just starting out? Learning to play some beginner piano songs and popular tunes is the perfect way to do it. The key is to find songs that are easy to learn but sound impressive.
That’s why we’ve compiled this updated list of 25 easy piano songs that sound complicated but are surprisingly simple to learn.
According to research by Peter Jutras published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, playing the piano can significantly boost feelings of accomplishment and self-confidence. This sense of achievement isn’t limited to piano; it extends to other instruments like the ukulele or even learning drums.
Learning easy piano songs provides a fantastic starting point. Keep reading for our guide to 25 simple piano songs perfect for beginners.
What Makes a Piano Song Easy for Beginners?
When searching for easy Piano Songs To Learn that will still impress, look for these helpful characteristics:
- Repetitive Parts: Songs with repeating sections are easier to memorize and master.
- Simple Chord Progressions: Basic chord sequences are quicker to learn and play smoothly.
- Arpeggios (Broken Chords): Arpeggiated chords can sound intricate but are often based on simple chord shapes.
- Driving Rhythms: A strong, consistent rhythm can make a song sound more dynamic and engaging.
- Limited Hand Movement: Songs that don’t require large jumps across the keyboard are easier for beginners.
- Simplifiable Arrangements: Many songs can be simplified for beginner levels while still sounding recognizable.
- Repeated Left Hand Parts: Consistent left-hand patterns establish a solid foundation and are easier to learn.
- Single-Line Right Hand Melodies: Focusing on a single melody line in the right hand simplifies coordination.
All the songs on this list incorporate these elements to varying degrees, making them excellent choices for beginners.
25 Easy Piano Songs to Learn
Let’s dive into 25 simple piano songs that are sure to impress. For some songs, we’ve included links to YouTube tutorials to assist your learning journey. We’ll also provide a “difficulty” and “impress” rating for each song to help you find the perfect fit.
Note: Each beginner piano song is rated on a scale of 1 to 10 for “Difficulty” (lower is easier) and “Impress” factor (higher is more impressive).
Katy Perry – Roar
With over 3 billion views on YouTube, “Roar” is one of Katy Perry’s most iconic hits. If you’re ready for a fun rhythmic challenge, this pop anthem is a fantastic piano song for beginners.
Difficulty: 4/10
Impress: 8/10
Play the full song with solfeg.io app.
Deep Blue Something – Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Even decades after its peak on the Billboard charts, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” remains a beloved pop-rock classic. This song is instantly recognizable and perfect for playing while someone sings along.
Difficulty: 3/10
Impress: 7/10
Play the full song with solfeg.io app.
Justin Bieber – Sorry
“Sorry” by Justin Bieber uses just four simple chords, making it very accessible for beginner piano players. The rhythm, however, presents a slight challenge due to its syncopation, offering a good opportunity to develop your rhythmic skills.
Difficulty: 3/10
Impress: 9/10
Play the full song with solfeg.io app.
Imagine Dragons – Believer
While “Believer” by Imagine Dragons is known for its intense vocals, the driving drum part is truly the heart of the song. If you’re looking to tackle triplet rhythms on the piano, this song is an excellent starting point.
Difficulty: 4/10
Impress: 8/10
Play the full song with solfeg.io app.
#1 Chopsticks
Few beginner piano songs are as universally recognized as “Chopsticks.” Although many people know this simple tune, it can still impress those unfamiliar with playing it themselves.
Difficulty: 1/10
Impress: 5/10
#2 Für Elise – Beethoven
Similar in iconic status, Beethoven’s “Für Elise” is a hallmark of piano playing. It’s one of the most widely recognized piano pieces ever composed.
Fun fact: Beethoven wrote “Für Elise” to impress a woman.
Difficulty: 3/10
Impress: 8/10
#3 Heart and Soul – Hoagy Carmichael
“Heart and Soul” is a fun and easy piano duet that allows you to play with a partner. It’s a classic beginner song that sounds cheerful and engaging.
From a teaching perspective, this song is great for illustrating chord progressions, as the lower part cycles through the common I-vi-IV-V progression.
Difficulty: 3/10
Impress: 6/10
#4 Swan Lake Theme – Tchaikovsky
Thanks to the movie Black Swan and shows like Little Einsteins, Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake Theme” is a well-known and easily recognizable melody.
This theme is not difficult to play and its beautiful, flowing melody allows you to showcase expressive playing even as a beginner.
Difficulty: 3/10
Impress: 7/10
#5 Let It Be – The Beatles
When it comes to popular piano songs, Paul McCartney’s intro to “Let It Be” is iconic. It might require a bit of practice initially, but once you grasp the pattern, it flows naturally from your fingers.
Loved by generations for over 50 years, “Let It Be” has a meaningful message and a simple yet beautiful tune that resonates with listeners of all ages.
Difficulty: 4/10
Impress: 9/10
#6 The Git Up – Blanco Brown
Some songs achieve instant classic status, and “The Git Up” is undoubtedly one of them. Its incredibly simple and repetitive melody is undeniably catchy.
As a pop piano song, “The Git Up” is almost entirely repetition. Once you learn one section, you’ve essentially learned the entire song.
When learning “The Git Up,” consider using tutorials and practice along with resources like Solfeg.io’s songbook, which allows you to adjust the speed and loop challenging sections.
Difficulty: 3/10
Impress: 10/10
#7 Lean On Me – Bill Withers
Bill Withers’ anthem of support, “Lean On Me,” is another guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Almost everyone recognizes at least the chorus and can identify the song within the first few chords.
Listening to the original piano recording might make you think it’s too complex for beginners. However, you can achieve a similar effect by playing basic chords and rhythms.
For more advanced beginners, you can start incorporating some of the fills and embellishments between chord changes to add complexity.
Difficulty: 3/10
Impress: 8/10
#8 Clocks – Coldplay
Listening to the intro of “Clocks” by Coldplay, you might assume it’s impossible for beginner piano players. However, the main pattern is actually very repetitive.
By slowing down the tempo and gradually increasing speed, learning “Clocks” can be achieved in just a few hours. While mastering the full tempo might take longer, even a slightly slower version is impressive. This song is also great for piano duets.
Difficulty: 4/10
Impress: 10/10
#9 All My Life – KC & JoJo
Similar to “Clocks,” “All My Life” sounds initially complex, especially the introduction. However, once you move past the intro, playing basic chords will still sound fantastic and recognizable.
Difficulty: 4/10
Impress: 9/10
#10 Let It Go – Frozen
Although its popularity with children might seem to have waned slightly, “Let It Go” from Frozen remains incredibly engaging. Kids (and adults!) will still sing along whenever it’s played.
“Let It Go” is a song that’s here to stay, and its piano part is iconic. While the chords are simple, you can challenge yourself with different voicings and arrangements as you improve. Solfeg.io’s songbook is also a helpful resource for practice.
Difficulty: 4/10
Impress: 9/10 (realistically, but kids might pretend it’s a 6/10)
#11 What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
“What a Wonderful World” has endured for decades as one of the greatest songs ever written. It’s also one of those easy piano songs that can grow with your developing skills.
The chords are interesting yet standard, and numerous online tutorials offer various ways to play them.
Even playing basic chords will sound beautiful, and as you improve, you can add more intricate parts to enhance your performance.
Difficulty: 2/10
Impress: 7/10
#12 Prelude in C Major, BWV 846 from The Well-Tempered Clavier – J.S. Bach
Going back to classical music, J.S. Bach wrote this Prelude as a beginner piano piece. It uses a very simple chord progression that is broken up into arpeggios.
Originally intended as a practice tool for arpeggiation (playing chords note by note), it sounds remarkably beautiful. The way Bach arranges and breaks down the chords makes it sound much more complex than it actually is.
Difficulty: 2.5/10
Impress: 8/10
#13 Prelude in E minor, Opus 28, No. 4 – Chopin
Similar to Bach’s Prelude, Chopin’s Prelude in E minor uses beautiful chords over a simple, melancholic melody. While slightly more challenging than Bach’s, it’s still achievable with practice.
This piece also offers a chance to express emotion and make the music sound more profound than its technical difficulty suggests.
Difficulty: 3/10
Impress: 7/10
#14 To a Wild Rose – Edward MacDowell
“To a Wild Rose” is a classic tune that involves slightly more hand movement, making it a good beginner piano song for those progressing to more complex pieces. It’s also widely recognized and appreciated.
Difficulty: 4/10
Impress: 7/10
#15 Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley’s timeless hit, “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” is guaranteed to please any audience. It features an interesting chord progression and provides excellent practice for playing arpeggiated chords.
This song is available in Solfeg.io’s songbook, making it easy to practice chord changes and timing.
Difficulty: 2/10
Impress: 8/10
#16 The Entertainer – Scott Joplin
It’s not just pop songs that work well for beginners. Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer,” like “Marry You,” can be adapted to suit various skill levels.
As one of the most iconic piano rags ever written, “The Entertainer” has numerous arrangements for different abilities. Find an arrangement that matches your current skill level to learn this classic.
Difficulty: 2-6/10 (depending on the arrangement)
Impress: 9/10
#17 Canon in D – Pachelbel
Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” is renowned for its beauty and elegance. Learning to play it on the piano presents a manageable challenge with a significant payoff in impressiveness.
The left hand plays the same repeating bassline throughout most of the piece, making it relatively easy to master. You can then focus on learning as much of the right-hand part as you desire.
For piano teachers, “Canon in D” is excellent for developing left-hand independence because the repetitive pattern allows students to focus on right-hand coordination.
Difficulty: 3/10
Impress: 8/10
#18 Ave Maria – Schubert
Schubert’s “Ave Maria” is a legendary piece in the music world. You might not immediately recognize the name, but you’ll instantly recognize the melody when you hear it.
For the piano, “Ave Maria” sounds more complicated than it actually is. The chord arpeggios are quite formulaic, with a beautiful right-hand melody floating above them.
Difficulty: 3/10
Impress: 7/10
#19 Yesterday – The Beatles
Another Beatles classic (we’re limiting ourselves to just two!), “Yesterday” is a simple piano song that sounds more complex than it is. Originally written for guitar, it translates beautifully to the piano.
From a teaching perspective, the broken chords in “Yesterday” provide excellent practice for chord work and progressions, similar to Bach’s Prelude.
Difficulty: 2/10
Impress: 7/10
#20 The Addams Family Theme
With Halloween recently passed, it’s surprising how many people know and love “The Addams Family” theme song. The opening piano riff is instantly catchy and makes people of all ages snap their fingers.
Whether you play just the chords or all the intricate parts, “The Addams Family” theme is simply fun to play. Solfeg.io also includes it in their songbook for practice.
Difficulty: 3/10
Impress: 8/10
#21 All That Jazz – Chicago
You might not instantly recognize “All That Jazz,” but its catchy piano part is sure to get stuck in your head. If you can move beyond the basic accompaniment and add some filler parts, your audience will be very impressed.
Difficulty: 4/10
Impress: 9/10
#22 All of Me – John Legend
John Legend’s romantic ballad “All of Me” features a driving syncopated rhythm and a chord progression that moves beyond typical chord structures.
While the progression is unique, it’s not overly complex. The chord voicings are also designed so that you only need to make slight finger adjustments to move between chords in both hands.
Difficulty: 2/10
Impress: 7/10
#23 Marry You – Bruno Mars
Pop piano songs often present a unique challenge and opportunity for piano players. Some patterns can be tricky, but the underlying chords are often simple.
“Marry You” by Bruno Mars is a perfect example. You can achieve an impressive sound using basic chords, and then challenge yourself later with the more intricate elements of the song.
Difficulty: 2/10 (simplified) – 5/10 (full version)
Impress: 8/10
#24 My Heart Will Go On – Titanic
This Grammy-winning song from the movie Titanic is instantly recognizable and captivating. While students might not immediately know the title, parents certainly will.
The chords and voicings are surprisingly easy compared to the emotional impact and recognition of the song.
Difficulty: 3/10
Impress: 8/10
#25 Stitches – Shawn Mendes
“Stitches” by Shawn Mendes is a popular favorite among piano students. It’s not difficult to play with the right resources, and Solfeg.io can be a valuable tool for learning this pop hit.
Difficulty: 3.5/10
Impress: 9/10
Conclusion
We hope this list of 25 easy piano songs that sound complicated but aren’t has been helpful in your musical journey. It might seem ambitious to impress others with your piano skills as a beginner, but with the right song choices and helpful tools like Solfeg.io, it’s absolutely achievable.
Solfeg.io can assist you in playing along with high-quality song covers, allowing you to adjust the tempo and loop challenging sections for effective practice. It truly is a musician’s ultimate practice companion.
Written by Zach VanderGraaff
