Learning to play the piano is an exciting journey, and what better way to start than with songs you already know and love? Using letter notes is a fantastic method for beginners to get acquainted with the keyboard and start playing melodies quickly. This guide provides a selection of easy piano songs written out with letters, perfect for those just starting their musical adventure.
Nursery Rhymes and Classics to Get You Started
Nursery rhymes are excellent for beginners because they are typically simple and repetitive, making them easier to memorize and play. Let’s begin with some timeless classics:
Mary Had A Little Lamb
This song is incredibly simple and uses only a few notes, making it ideal for your first attempt.
E D C D E E E
D D D E G G
E D C D E E E
D D E D CTwinkle Twinkle Little Star
Another universally recognized tune, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” is a bit longer but still uses a limited range of notes and a repeating structure that aids learning.
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 COde To Joy
Beethoven’s “Ode To Joy” might seem ambitious for a beginner, but this simplified version is surprisingly accessible and introduces a slightly more complex melody.
E E F G G F E D
C C D E E D C
E E F G G F E D
C C D E D C CAlouette, Gentille Alouette
This traditional French-Canadian folk song, “Alouette,” is a bit more challenging but still manageable for beginners, introducing a slightly wider range of notes.
C D E E D C D E C G3
C D E E D C D E C C G3
C E G G G G A G F E D C
G G G G3 G3 G3 G G G G3 G3 G3 G F E DIncy Wincy Spider
“Incy Wincy Spider” (or “Itsy Bitsy Spider”) is another fun and familiar nursery rhyme that’s great for practicing finger movements on the piano.
C C C D E E E D C D E C
E E F G G F E F G E A A A
G E D E D C A3 G3 G3 G3
C C C D E E E D C D E CDeck The Halls
Get into the festive spirit with “Deck The Halls.” This Christmas carol, even in a simplified form, can be enjoyable to learn year-round.
G F E D C D E C
D E F D E D C B3 C
G F E D C D E C
D E F D E D C B3 C
D E F D E F G
D E F G A B C5 B A G
G F E D C D E C
A A A A G F E D CFrere Jacques
“Frère Jacques” is a simple round that’s excellent for practicing repetition and coordination. Its catchy tune makes it fun to play.
C D E C
C D E C
E F G E
F G G A
G F E C
G A G F E C
C G3 C
C G3 CExpanding Your Repertoire
Once you’re comfortable with the nursery rhymes, you can branch out to slightly more complex but still beginner-friendly songs.
Sharps and Flats: Introduction to B Flat
Many songs use only the white keys, but as you progress, you’ll encounter black keys. “Happy Birthday” introduces you to the black key B flat (Bb).
To play Bb, find the black key immediately to the left of the white key B.
Happy Birthday
“Happy Birthday” is a song everyone knows, and learning it on the piano is a great way to impress friends and family.
C C D C F E
C C D C G F
C C C5 A F E D
Bb Bb A F G FHeart And Soul
“Heart and Soul” is a classic duet, but even the simple melody line is fun to play solo and introduces slightly larger jumps between notes.
C C E E A3 A3
C C D D F F
G3 G3 B3 B3The Wheels On The Bus
“The Wheels on the Bus” is another children’s song that’s repetitive and easy to learn, helping build finger dexterity.
C F F F F F A C5 A
F G G G E D C C
F F F F F A C A
F G C FJingle Bells
Another Christmas favorite, “Jingle Bells,” is slightly more complex than “Deck The Halls” but still within reach for beginners.
E E E E E E E G
C D E F F F F F
E E E E E D D E D G
E E E E E E E G
C D E F F F F F
E E E E G G F D CThis Old Man
“This Old Man” is a traditional children’s song that tells a story and has a memorable melody, good for practicing rhythm.
G E G G E G A G
F E D E F E F G
C C C C C D E F G
G D D F E D CLondon Bridge
“London Bridge is Falling Down” is a simple, repetitive song that’s excellent for beginners to practice smooth transitions between notes.
G A G F E F G
D E F E F G
G A G F E F G
D G E CRow Your Boat
“Row, Row, Row Your Boat” is a round, similar to “Frère Jacques,” and is excellent for practicing smooth, connected playing.
C C C D E E D
E F G C5 C5 C5
G G G E E E
D D D G F E D CThe Ants Go Marching
“The Ants Go Marching” is a fun, rhythmic song that helps develop a sense of beat and timing on the piano.
A3 D D D E F E F
D C A3 CKeep Practicing and Exploring!
These simple Piano Songs With Letters are a fantastic starting point for your musical journey. Remember to practice regularly, be patient with yourself, and most importantly, have fun! As you become more comfortable, you can explore more songs and gradually move on to reading standard sheet music. Happy playing!
