You don’t have to be a master pianist to perform amazing songs at the piano– even beginners can get behind the keys and play something beautiful. 💐
A disciplined practice routine and proper technique are both paramount to becoming a better piano player, but sometimes just sitting down and playing a song that you love can be exactly what’s needed to inspire yourself.
For today’s lesson, we’ve got 4 (more) songs that are perfect for beginner piano players to sink their teeth into and get motivated, so let’s get started!
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” is a beautiful love song recorded by Elvis Presley in 1961. The melody is based on “Plaisir d’amour“, a popular French love song composed in 1784 by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini. The song was initially written for a woman as “Can’t Help Falling in Love with Him”, which explains the first and third lines ending on “in” and “sin” rather than words rhyming with “you”.
If you’re a new player and this looks intimidating, don’t worry– I’ll walk you through the chords, note-by-note. There are only four chords you need to know to get started, and they just keep repeating over again.
This song follows the extremely popular I–V–vi–IV progression, and you can use it to play literally hundreds of songs. Once you’ve got a scope on it, you’ve just learned them all!
The change-up in the bridge-section of a song is something I might tend to avoid when practicing a new piece of music, but it’s always my favorite part to listen to (🙃). The contrast the bridge creates with the rest of the composition is beautiful, and not beyond a beginner’s skill. Follow along with me in the video and you’ll be playing this song from beginning to end in no time. It’s only another two chords!
Download the chord chart for “Can’t Help Falling In Love” here!
“Lost Boy” was the debut single by Canadian singer Ruth B. It actually started out with Ruth singing a six-second video on Vine in January 2015, becoming so popular that she was inspired to write it into a full song.
If you’re staring at the chord chart and are getting nervous at the prospect of playing some of the more advanced-looking slash chords, there’s actually a very straight-forward way you can think of playing them and they sound beautiful when you do.
When I look at a slash chord I like to think of ‘the slash’ as something that divides your chords from top to bottom (or from the higher notes to the lower ones).
Think of G/D as ‘G over top of D’, so you will play the G Major chord with your right hand on the upper register of the keyboard, and with your left hand on the bass notes you’ll play D.
Download the chord chart for “Lost Boy” right here!
“Fight Song” by Rachel Platten was top of the charts in the UK and made it to number six on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was inspired by painful experiences growing up and was written as a way to promote self-empowerment.
It’s a beautiful and simple song to play, but there is a lot even a beginner can do that adds some interest and intrigue to the mix, like with “sus chords”. For now, you don’t have to worry about them until you’re ready. 🙏❤️
If this song sounds familiar, you’re not wrong! Just like what we learned in “Can’t Help Falling In Love”, this song follows the same I V vi IV Progression, only this time it’s in the key of G instead of the key of C.
🔥🎹 Hot Tip: The Number System takes progressions and breaks them down into numbered diatonic chords. It makes it easy to transpose songs into different key signatures, and to memorize different chord progressions.
Download the chord chart for “Fight Song” here!
“Sign Of The Times” by Harry Styles is another song perfect for beginners– It’s only got 3 chords! It’s described as sounding “like it would be a smash in any decade” and it’s very easy to play!
The idea of the song was conceived by Styles while playing chords on the piano in Jamaica, and it was written as if a mother was giving birth to a child and there was a complication. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart.
This song only has three chords to learn, but that simplicity gives you the freedom to explore some other techniques, like rhythms!
Try playing octaves– this might seem like a stretch for smaller hands, but using your left hand to play the two notes of an octave will add some depth and drama to your sound. Stick to a steady rhythm with your right hand and even a beginner is going to sound awesome playing this song.
Download the chord chart for “Sign Of The Times” here!
I hope you are inspired and excited to play these songs, and know that with practice and patience you will grow as a musician every day. It won’t be long before you are ready to tackle any song you might be excited to play, and Pianote is here to support you every step of the way!
If you haven’t already, check out the original “4 Songs That Are Perfect For Beginners”, it’s one of our most popular lessons!
Happy practicing to you!
Lisa Witt has been teaching piano for more than 20 years and in that time has helped hundreds of students learn to play the songs they love. Lisa received classical piano training through the Royal Conservatory of Music, but she has since embraced popular music and playing by ear in order to accompany herself and others. Learn more about Lisa.
/marketing/pianote/promos/april/banner-bg-m.webp)
/marketing/pianote/promos/april/trial-banner.png)
/marketing/pianote/promos/april/banner-title.webp)