If you’re stepping into the exciting world of piano playing, you might be wondering where to begin and what are some good, Basic Piano Songs to learn first. Music is built upon two key elements: pitch – the sound of the notes themselves – and rhythm – the timing between notes. For beginners, the easiest piano songs are those that feature melodies that don’t jump around the keyboard too much and have a straightforward rhythm.
When you start learning piano, it naturally involves using both hands. However, if you are completely new to the piano, or haven’t played for very long, it’s wise to begin with songs that you can play with just one hand. When tackling any new song, regardless of your level, it’s always beneficial to practice each hand separately before attempting to play them together.
Another crucial aspect to remember is finger positioning. Using the most logical finger for each note is essential, and this might require some experimentation to find what feels most comfortable for you. Once you’ve identified the best fingering for each note to ensure smooth transitions, make a conscious effort to use the same fingering every time you play those notes. This consistency will significantly simplify your learning process.
To help you get started on your musical journey, here are seven basic piano songs perfect for beginners.
1. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” remains a timeless favorite, particularly among young learners. However, adults who are just starting their piano journey can also greatly benefit from learning this song. Begin by placing your right thumb on the note C. You’ll find that all the necessary notes are conveniently located under your fingers, with the exception of the highest note, which is just one step above where your little finger rests. For a clear demonstration of how to play “Twinkle Twinkle,” take a look at the video tutorial and try it out yourself:
2. Happy Birthday
“Happy Birthday” is an incredibly useful and basic piano song for beginners to master. Imagine being at a birthday celebration and there’s a piano or keyboard available – you can lead the singing and even help everyone stay in tune! Similar to “Twinkle Twinkle,” start with your right thumb on C, and the first part of the song fits comfortably under your hand. However, there is an octave jump involved, moving from the initial C up to the C an octave higher. If you play this higher C with your little finger, the subsequent notes will again be within easy reach. There’s also one black note to be aware of – a B flat. Practice it a few times with the help of this tutorial:
3. Jingle Bells
The chorus of “Jingle Bells” is one of the best basic piano songs to learn because of its many repeated notes and almost universally known melody. Familiarity with a tune always makes learning a song easier compared to playing something unfamiliar solely from sheet music. While the verse might be a bit more intricate, it’s still quite manageable. Watch this tutorial of “Jingle Bells” and give it a try:
4. Hallelujah
Once you’ve become comfortable with a few right-hand-only songs, it’s time to progress and start incorporating your left hand. Harmony in music is largely based on chords, so learning basic chords with your left hand is a logical next step and a valuable skill for playing a wide range of songs. One of the most beautiful yet basic piano songs for beginners that introduces chords is “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. In the following video, you can begin learning how to play chords in your left hand while playing the melody of the song with your right hand:
5. Havana
“Havana” is an incredibly catchy and enjoyable song! It presents a slightly more complex melody in the right hand, along with a syncopated rhythm, which adds a bit more challenge. For the chorus, the left hand follows a repeating pattern, so once you get that pattern down, you’re set. The song starts with a couple of chords in the right hand, before moving into the main melody. This video provides a very easy-to-follow tutorial on learning each hand separately and then combining them. So, while it may not be as straightforward as some other songs, if you approach it step-by-step, you might find “Havana” to be one of the more accessible basic piano songs to learn.
6. Prelude in C Major by Bach
Bach’s “Prelude in C Major” is one of the best basic piano songs to learn when you’re interested in exploring classical music on the piano. It represents a step up in difficulty from the other basic piano songs mentioned here because it covers a wider range on the keyboard and requires both hands to sound complete. This is because the melodic line is shared between the hands, but crucially, no two notes are played simultaneously. You are always playing just one note at a time, even when using both hands.
When you listen to the piece, you might not even notice that no two notes are played at the same time. This is because the notes in the left hand are held down while you play the notes in the right hand, creating a continuous, flowing sound.
Another fantastic aspect of this piece is that every pattern of notes is repeated twice. Once you understand and play a pattern in a measure, the next measure will involve repeating the same pattern, making it easier to learn and memorize.
If you are looking at the sheet music for this basic piano song for beginners, it might initially seem more complicated than it actually is. Just focus on one note at a time, and you will gradually piece it together. Take advantage of the repeated patterns to anticipate what’s coming in the next measure.
This video is the first in a series of short tutorials that guides you through each hand and practices the repetitions with you. It’s an excellent way to learn this piece effectively.
7. Für Elise
If you’ve successfully mastered Bach’s “Prelude in C major,” you might be ready to take on Beethoven’s renowned “Für Elise.” Astonishingly, despite being one of the most famous piano pieces of all time, it’s also one of the best basic piano songs to learn once you are comfortable playing with both hands.
“Für Elise” does include a couple of black notes, and some of the intervals between notes are wider than in Bach’s Prelude in C major. However, if you have diligently practiced the basic piano songs for beginners listed here, you should be well-prepared for this challenge. The first section of “Für Elise” is particularly suitable for beginners. The second section is considerably more technically demanding, so aim to focus on mastering just the first section initially. This is the most recognizable part anyway, and your friends are sure to be impressed!
Learning to play the piano can be challenging, but with these seven basic piano songs for beginners, your learning journey will be much smoother. In addition to these songs, having access to the best tools and music education apps can truly make a difference. With Tonara Studio, your practice sessions become more engaging and enjoyable, encouraging you to practice more and accelerate your progress.
If you are searching for a piano teacher but are unsure where to start, be sure to explore the range of piano teachers available through Tonara Connect!
