1. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” is an enduring classic and an ideal first song for piano beginners. Its beauty lies in its simplicity, requiring you to play notes across just five keys. The melody is instantly recognizable and easy to memorize, allowing you to quickly play it with one hand and then progress to using both.
Follow this Easy Video Tutorial to Learn ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ on Piano – Perfect for Kids & Beginners
Here are the lyrics and corresponding piano letter notes for “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”:
Verse 1: Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky.
Piano Letters: C C G G A A G, F F E E D D C, G G F F E E D, G G F F E E D, C C G G A A G, F F E E D D C,
Verse 2: When the blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
Piano Letters: G G F F E E D, C C G G A A G, F F E E D D C, G G F F E E D,
Verse 3: Then the traveler in the dark Thanks you for your tiny spark; He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so.
Piano Letters: G G F F E E D, C C G G A A G, F F E E D D C, G G F F E E D,
Verse 4: In the dark blue sky you keep, And often through my curtains peep, For you never shut your eye Till the sun is in the sky.
Piano Letters: C C G G A A G, F F E E D D C, G G F F E E D, G G F F E E D,
Note: The letters correspond directly to piano keys. “C” is the white key immediately to the left of a group of two black keys.
2. Mary Had a Little Lamb
“Mary Had a Little Lamb,” another cherished nursery rhyme, is remarkably easy to play and serves as a fantastic piece for developing initial finger dexterity on the piano. This song is wonderfully simple, utilizing just three keys, making it exceptionally beginner-friendly and quick to learn.
Beginner-Friendly Piano Tutorial for ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ – Simple and Effective
Here are the lyrics and piano letter notes for “Mary Had a Little Lamb”:
Verse 1: Mary had a little lamb, Little lamb, little lamb, Mary had a little lamb, Its fleece was white as snow.
Piano Letters: E D C D E E E, D D D E G G, E D C D E E E, D D E D C,
Verse 2: And everywhere that Mary went, Mary went, Mary went, Everywhere that Mary went, The lamb was sure to go.
Piano Letters: E D C D E E E, D D D E G G, E D C D E E E, D D E D C,
Verse 3: It followed her to school one day, School one day, school one day, It followed her to school one day, Which was against the rules.
Piano Letters: E D C D E E E, D D D E G G, E D C D E E E, D D E D C,
Verse 4: It made the children laugh and play, Laugh and play, laugh and play, It made the children laugh and play, To see a lamb at school.
Piano Letters: E D C D E E E, D D D E G G, E D C D E E E, D D E D C,
Note: As with “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” the letters directly relate to piano keys, with “C” being the white key to the left of a two-black-key group.
3. Ode to Joy
“Ode to Joy,” Beethoven’s iconic melody, is surprisingly accessible for piano beginners. Its appeal for new players comes from its limited note range and ease of memorization. “Ode to Joy” offers a rewarding introduction to playing with both hands and is a popular choice for piano teachers when starting students on more classical pieces.
Learn ‘Ode to Joy’ on Piano with this Easy Step-by-Step Tutorial
Here are the letter notes for “Ode to Joy”:
Right Hand Part:
E E F G G F E D
C C D E E D D
E E F G G F E D
C C D E D C C
D D E C D E F E C
D E F E D C D G
E E F G G F E D
C C D E D C C
Left Hand Part:
C G C G
C G C G C
G C G C G G
A
C G C G C
4. Jingle Bells
“Jingle Bells,” a festive holiday classic, is a joyful and recognizable song perfect for beginners. Its simplicity lies in requiring only a few keys, and it provides an excellent opportunity to practice coordinating both hands on the piano in a fun, seasonal context.
Simple and Fun Piano Tutorial for ‘Jingle Bells’ – Ideal for Beginner Pianists
Here are the letter notes for “Jingle Bells”:
(D^) B – B B B – B B B-^D G A B
(Oh) Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
^C ^C ^C ^C ^C B B
Oh what fun it is to ride
B B B A A-B A-^D
In a one horse open sleigh
B – B B B – B B B-^D G A B
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
^C ^C ^C ^C ^C B B
Oh what fun it is to ride
B B ^D ^D ^C-A G
In a one horse open sleigh
D – B A G D D D D B A-G E
Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh
E ^C B A F
^D-^D ^C A B
Over the fields we go laughing all the way
D B A – G D D – B A – G E
Bells on bobtail ring making spirits bright
E E ^C B A ^D ^D ^D ^D ^E-^D ^C A – G
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight.
5. Heart and Soul
“Heart and Soul” is an instantly recognizable and perennially popular tune that’s incredibly fun to play on the piano. Its appeal for beginners lies in its structure, providing a fantastic introduction to playing chords with both hands and creating a satisfying musical experience quickly.
Easy Piano Tutorial for “Heart and Soul” – A Classic Beginner Song
6. Chopsticks
“Chopsticks” is a simple and charming melody that has delighted piano beginners for generations. Its ease of play, often accomplished with just one hand initially, makes it a superb choice for developing essential hand-eye coordination and getting comfortable with the piano keys.
Learn ‘Chopsticks’ on Piano – A Fun and Easy Tutorial for Beginners
7. Can Can
“Can Can,” with its lively and upbeat rhythm, is guaranteed to get your fingers moving and bring a sense of fun to your piano practice. Its straightforward melody makes it easy to learn, and mastering it provides a rewarding sense of accomplishment and musical energy.
Video Tutorial for “Can Can” – Get Your Fingers Moving!
8. Für Elise
“Für Elise,” another masterpiece by Beethoven, presents a slightly greater challenge compared to other songs listed, but it remains an excellent piece for beginners to explore more complex melodies. Despite its sophistication, the song is built on relatively simple chords and is surprisingly easy to memorize in sections, making it an achievable goal for motivated beginners.
Play ‘Für Elise’ on Piano – An Easy-to-Follow Tutorial
Here are the letter notes for “Für Elise”:
E Eb E Eb E B- D C A-
C- E- A- B-
E- Ab- B- C
E- E Eb E Eb E B- D C A-
C- E- A- B-
E- C B- A-
E Eb E Eb E B- D C A-
C- E- A- B-
E- Ab- B- C
E- E Eb E Eb E B- D C A-
C- E- A- B-
E- C B- A-
B- C D E
G- F E D
F- E D C
E- D C B-
E- E
E- E Eb E Eb E Eb E Eb E Eb E Eb E B- D C A-
C- E- A- B-
E- Ab- B- C
E- E Eb E Eb E B- D C A-
C- E- A- B-
E- C B- A-
9. Amazing Grace
“Amazing Grace” is a timeless hymn known for its beauty and simple, yet profound melody, making it a perfect choice for piano beginners. The song utilizes just a few chords and is readily adaptable to playing with both hands, offering a gentle introduction to harmonic playing.
Video Tutorial for “Amazing Grace” – A Beautiful Beginner Piano Song
Here are the letter notes for “Amazing Grace”:
D – G – B G-B Amazing grace
A G E D How sweet the sound
D G B-G B A ^D That saved a wretch like me…
B ^D B G I once was lost
E G E D But now I’m found,
D G B-G B A G Was blind, but now I see…
10. When the Saints Go Marching In
“When the Saints Go Marching In” is an upbeat and spirited song that injects fun into beginner piano practice. Its use of simple chords and easy-to-memorize melody makes it a fantastic option for practicing coordination between both hands while enjoying a lively and recognizable tune.
Learn ‘[When the Saints Go Marching In’ on Piano – Easy Tutorial with Note Labels
In conclusion, this collection of 10 beginner piano songs offers an ideal starting point for your musical journey. Each song is carefully selected for its ease of learning and ability to provide a genuine sense of accomplishment as you progress. At Craft Music, we are dedicated to supporting your musical aspirations with a wide range of beginner piano lessons designed to take you from these first songs to more advanced pieces. Contact us today to discover more about our programs and how we can help you achieve your musical goals and dreams on the piano.
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