Piano songs to learn
Practice tips, difficulty breakdowns, and learning time estimates for popular piano pieces.
Beginner 26 pieces
Someone Like You
AdeleBuilt on a simple but effective broken chord pattern in the left hand, this ballad is one of the most accessible pop piano arrangements. The chord progression (A-C#m-F#m-D) repeats throughout, making it ideal for beginners.
Practice tipsAll of Me
John LegendA modern wedding classic with a gospel-tinged chord progression. The four-flat key signature uses mostly black keys in the left hand, which actually makes the hand positions more comfortable than they look.
Practice tipsAPT.
ROSÉ & Bruno MarsAn infectious, high-energy pop track with a driving piano hook. Despite the fast tempo, the piano part itself is built on simple repeated patterns that are very beginner-friendly.
Practice tipsLet It Be
The BeatlesOne of the greatest piano songs ever written, using just four chords (C-G-Am-F) throughout. The simplicity makes it a perfect first song, while the gospel-style arrangement offers room to grow.
Practice tipsImagine
John LennonLennon's anthem of peace features a distinctive piano pattern where the left hand plays bass notes while the right hand rocks between chord tones. The C major key and simple harmonies make it ideal for beginners.
Practice tipsA Thousand Years
Christina PerriA sweeping romantic ballad from the Twilight saga, built on a gently rolling accompaniment pattern. The slow tempo and repetitive chord structure make it very approachable for beginners.
Practice tipsLovely
Billie Eilish & KhalidA dark, atmospheric ballad with a sparse piano arrangement. The minor key and minimalist texture create a haunting mood that's easy to play but challenging to perform with the right emotional weight.
Practice tipsGymnopédie No. 1
Erik SatieSatie's dreamy, proto-ambient masterpiece is built on gently rocking chords and a floating melody. Its simplicity is its genius — every note matters, and the performer must resist the urge to add anything.
Practice tipsPerfect
Ed SheeranA modern wedding staple in a lilting 6/8 time signature. The four-flat key signature sounds intimidating but the black-key hand positions are actually very comfortable and ergonomic.
Practice tipsThe Scientist
ColdplayA tender ballad built on a simple descending chord progression in D minor. The piano part mirrors Chris Martin's sparse, emotional playing style — few notes, maximum feeling.
Practice tipsSomeone You Loved
Lewis CapaldiA power ballad in C major with a four-chord foundation that builds from a quiet piano opening to a full band sound. The key of C major and simple chord progression make it one of the most accessible pop songs to learn.
Practice tipsHallelujah
Leonard CohenCohen's timeless hymn in 6/8 time, with a gently rolling arpeggiated accompaniment. The chord progression cleverly follows the lyrics ('it goes like this: the fourth, the fifth') making it both musically and intellectually satisfying.
Practice tipsLean On Me
Bill WithersA gospel-rooted classic built on a descending C major scale in the bass. The left-hand walking bass pattern gives it a distinctive groove that's both simple to learn and deeply satisfying to play.
Practice tipsEspresso
Sabrina CarpenterA catchy, groove-driven pop hit with a simple but effective piano arrangement. The Bb minor tonality gives it a sultry feel, and the chord pattern is highly repetitive, making it quick to memorize.
Practice tipsLet It Go
Idina MenzelThe iconic Frozen anthem with its empowering message and soaring melody. Despite the fast tempo marking, most piano arrangements use a half-time feel that makes it very accessible for beginners.
Practice tipsGolden Hour
JVKEA viral TikTok hit with a dreamy, ethereal piano arrangement in C major. The piece is built on simple triads with a flowing arpeggio pattern that creates a warm, sun-drenched atmosphere.
Practice tipsRunaway
Kanye WestThe iconic intro of Kanye's magnum opus consists of a single repeated note followed by a sparse, powerful chord progression. The simplicity is the point — each note carries enormous weight.
Practice tipsCongratulations
Post MaloneA celebratory hip-hop track with a piano-driven melody that's surprisingly simple to play. The E major key and repetitive chord structure make it a quick learn for beginners.
Practice tipsBirds of a Feather
Billie EilishA warm, uplifting track from Billie Eilish that's uncharacteristically bright and optimistic. The C major key and simple chord progression make it one of the most accessible songs in her catalog.
Practice tipsWet Hands (Minecraft)
C418The soothing, ambient piano piece from Minecraft's soundtrack that has become synonymous with peaceful gaming. Its sparse, meditative quality makes it one of the simplest pieces to learn while still sounding beautiful.
Practice tipsZelda's Lullaby
Koji KondoThe gentle, iconic lullaby from The Legend of Zelda series, featuring a simple waltz-time melody. It's one of the most recognizable video game themes and is perfectly suited for beginning pianists.
Practice tipsSuper Mario Bros Theme
Koji KondoThe most iconic video game theme ever composed, with a bouncy, syncopated melody in C major. The cheerful, energetic character demands precise staccato playing and rhythmic precision.
Practice tipsTwinkle Twinkle Little Star
TraditionalThe quintessential first piano piece, using just five notes (C-D-E-F-G) in the right hand. Mozart's famous variations on this melody prove that even the simplest tune can become the basis for sophisticated music.
Practice tipsHappy Birthday
TraditionalThe world's most-sung song, featuring a pickup note and a dotted rhythm that trips up more beginners than expected. Mastering this piece means you'll always be the hero at birthday parties.
Practice tipsJingle Bells
TraditionalThe most popular Christmas piano piece, with a bright, energetic melody in C major. The repetitive structure and simple rhythm make it perfect for beginners, and the fast tempo adds a fun challenge.
Practice tipsMake You Feel My Love
Adele / Bob DylanOriginally written by Bob Dylan and made iconic by Adele's piano-driven arrangement. The simple, heartfelt chord progression and gentle tempo make it an ideal piece for beginners who want to play something emotionally powerful.
Practice tipsBeginner-Intermediate 20 pieces
Comptine d'un autre été
Yann TiersenThe iconic theme from Amélie, built on a hypnotic left-hand ostinato and a bittersweet right-hand melody. Its repetitive structure makes it approachable, but the emotional phrasing separates good performances from great ones.
Practice tipsFür Elise
BeethovenPerhaps the most recognized piano piece in the world, Für Elise is a rondo with a deceptively simple A section and significantly harder B and C sections. It's a gateway into classical piano technique.
Practice tipsMoonlight Sonata (1st Movement)
BeethovenThe haunting first movement of Beethoven's Sonata No. 14, with its iconic triplet arpeggios flowing beneath a solemn melody. The five sharps in the key signature look intimidating but the hand positions are surprisingly natural.
Practice tipsCanon in D
PachelbelThe famous 8-chord progression (D-A-Bm-F#m-G-D-G-A) that has become one of the most performed pieces in history. Piano arrangements vary widely in difficulty, but the core structure is wonderfully predictable.
Practice tipsDie With A Smile
Lady Gaga & Bruno MarsA retro-styled duet ballad with a country-tinged piano accompaniment that builds from sparse verses to a soaring chorus. The arrangement rewards players who can balance simplicity with emotional delivery.
Practice tipsClocks
ColdplayDriven by one of the most recognizable piano riffs in modern rock, Clocks is built on a propulsive three-chord arpeggio pattern. The fast tempo demands stamina, but the pattern is repetitive enough to build speed gradually.
Practice tipsHello
AdeleAdele's comeback single opens with a haunting piano introduction before building into a massive chorus. The F minor tonality and expressive dynamics make it a great study in emotional playing.
Practice tipsDon't Stop Believin'
JourneyAn arena-rock anthem driven by an iconic piano intro that every pianist wants to learn. The opening riff is built on a simple eighth-note pattern through four chords, but keeping it steady at tempo requires practice.
Practice tipsGood Luck, Babe!
Chappell RoanA dramatic pop anthem with 80s-inspired synth textures that translate beautifully to piano. The arrangement builds from a sparse opening to a massive, singalong chorus.
Practice tipsdrivers license
Olivia RodrigoA raw, emotionally charged ballad that builds from whisper-quiet verses to a cathartic bridge. The piano arrangement is central to the song's identity, with arpeggiated figures that mirror the emotional turbulence.
Practice tipsAnother Love
Tom OdellAn explosive emotional piano ballad that became a viral sensation years after its release. The piece is driven by passionate, almost aggressive piano chords that build to a cathartic climax.
Practice tipsPrelude in C Major (BWV 846)
BachThe opening piece of The Well-Tempered Clavier, built entirely on broken chord patterns with no melody line. Each bar introduces a new chord, creating a flowing harmonic journey that became the basis for Gounod's Ave Maria.
Practice tipsCity of Stars
Justin HurwitzThe Oscar-winning song from La La Land, with a jazzy, wistful melody that's more approachable than Mia & Sebastian's Theme. The arrangement works beautifully as a solo piano piece with its natural chord voicings.
Practice tipsShallow
Lady Gaga & Bradley CooperThe Oscar-winning duet from A Star Is Born features a country-influenced verse that builds into a powerful rock chorus. The piano arrangement effectively captures both the intimate opening and the explosive climax.
Practice tipsJe te laisserai des mots
Patrick WatsonA charming French waltz that went viral on TikTok, featuring a simple but elegant 3/4 time pattern. The piece has a nostalgic, music-box quality that comes from its light touch and gentle dynamics.
Practice tipsSolas
Jamie DuffyA deeply emotional Irish contemporary piece that went viral on TikTok after the composer's grandmother's passing. The simple, folk-inspired melody over gentle arpeggios creates an intimately moving experience.
Practice tipsBeautiful Things
Benson BooneA piano-driven power ballad that builds from a vulnerable verse to an explosive chorus with soaring vocal lines. The Ab major tonality gives it a warm, rich quality that sits beautifully under the hands.
Practice tipsOne Summer's Day
Joe HisaishiThe nostalgic theme from Spirited Away, evoking childhood wonder and bittersweet memory. The five-sharp key signature looks daunting but the hands fall naturally onto the black keys, making it more comfortable than expected.
Practice tipsChiquitita
ABBAABBA's heartfelt ballad features a gentle guitar-style arpeggio that translates beautifully to piano. The song's shift from melancholic verse to uplifting chorus mirrors the lyric's message of hope and comfort.
Practice tipsToo Sweet
HozierHozier's catchy, groove-driven pop song features a distinctive piano riff that anchors the track. The C major key makes it accessible while the syncopated rhythm adds an engaging challenge.
Practice tipsIntermediate 18 pieces
River Flows in You
YirumaYiruma's most beloved composition, featuring flowing arpeggios and a singing melody that demands a refined touch. The piece builds through three sections of increasing intensity before returning to its gentle opening.
Practice tipsInterstellar (Cornfield Chase)
Hans ZimmerThe emotionally devastating Cornfield Chase theme builds from a sparse, minimalist opening into a massive wall of sound. The piece relies on layered ostinato patterns that create an almost organ-like resonance on the piano.
Practice tipsNuvole Bianche
Ludovico EinaudiA contemporary classic that translates beautifully from Einaudi's orchestral version to solo piano. The piece gradually layers simple patterns into a powerful climax, teaching the art of building intensity.
Practice tipsExperience
Ludovico EinaudiAn emotionally powerful composition that builds from a delicate opening to a thunderous climax. The piece is structured as a continuous crescendo, demanding precise control over dynamic gradation.
Practice tipsWildflower
Billie EilishA delicate, introspective track with jazz-influenced chord voicings and a breathy, understated melody. The arrangement rewards a light touch and subtle dynamic control.
Practice tipsTake Me To Church
HozierA hymn-like composition with gospel and blues influences, featuring rich minor-key harmonies. The piano arrangement captures the song's raw spiritual intensity through dynamic contrast and powerful chord voicings.
Practice tipsNocturne Op. 9 No. 2
ChopinThe quintessential Romantic piano piece, with a singing melody over a gently rocking left-hand accompaniment. The ornamental passages require delicate fingerwork and sophisticated rubato.
Practice tipsArabesque No. 1
DebussyOne of Debussy's earliest impressionist works, featuring flowing triplet arabesques and lush harmonic colors. The interplay between duplet and triplet rhythms creates the piece's characteristic dreamlike quality.
Practice tipsPrelude in D-flat (Raindrop)
ChopinNamed for the persistent repeated Ab (the 'raindrop') that sounds throughout, this prelude shifts from a serene opening in Db major to a dramatic, stormy middle section in C-sharp minor before returning to calm.
Practice tipsUna Mattina
Ludovico EinaudiFeatured in the film Intouchables, this piece combines Einaudi's signature minimalism with a deeply moving melodic arc. The repetitive left-hand patterns build a meditative foundation for the expressive right-hand melody.
Practice tipsLa fille aux cheveux de lin
DebussyA delicate, pastoral miniature depicting a girl with flaxen hair. Despite its brevity (under two minutes), it demands exquisite tonal control and a singing legato that many pianists spend years perfecting.
Practice tipsMia & Sebastian's Theme
Justin HurwitzThe jazzy, bittersweet theme from La La Land that captures the magic and melancholy of Hollywood romance. The piece features stride-like left-hand jumps and a lyrical melody that requires careful rubato.
Practice tipsTime
Hans ZimmerThe devastating closing theme from Inception, built on a four-chord progression that repeats and builds with increasing intensity. The piece is a masterclass in using repetition and dynamics to create overwhelming emotion.
Practice tipsSkyfall
AdeleThe dramatic Bond theme features a cinematic piano arrangement with dark minor harmonies and powerful dynamic contrasts. The piece channels the tension and grandeur of the film's orchestral score.
Practice tipsPluto Projector
Rex Orange CountyA lush, orchestral pop ballad with sophisticated jazz-influenced chord voicings. The arrangement features rich extended harmonics and a beautiful, winding melody that rewards a refined touch.
Practice tipsMerry-Go-Round of Life
Joe HisaishiThe enchanting waltz from Howl's Moving Castle, shifting between dark minor-key drama and bright major-key wonder. The piece captures the film's magical, whimsical atmosphere through sweeping dynamic contrasts.
Practice tipsMegalovania
Toby FoxThe iconic boss battle theme from Undertale, featuring relentless energy and a driving bass line. Translating this electronic track to piano requires stamina and precise rhythmic control.
Practice tipsPink Pony Club
Chappell RoanChappell Roan's breakout single with a synth-pop piano arrangement that drives the song's anthemic energy. The piece demands rhythmic precision and a strong sense of groove to capture the dance-floor energy.
Practice tipsIntermediate-Advanced 3 pieces
Clair de Lune
DebussyDebussy's impressionist masterpiece paints moonlight in sound through lush harmonies and fluid rubato. The piece requires exceptional control of tone color and pedaling to create its signature shimmering quality.
Practice tipsBohemian Rhapsody
QueenA six-minute epic that shifts through ballad, opera, hard rock, and reflective sections — essentially four pieces in one. The piano arrangement demands versatility across styles and a wide dynamic range.
Practice tipsGuren no Yumiya
Linked HorizonThe explosive opening theme from Attack on Titan, featuring driving rhythms and dramatic dynamic shifts. The extreme tempo and aggressive chords make this one of the most physically demanding anime arrangements.
Practice tipsAdvanced 6 pieces
Ballade No. 1
ChopinOne of the greatest piano works ever written, a 10-minute narrative arc spanning lyrical tenderness and explosive virtuosity. The coda is among the most technically demanding passages in the entire piano repertoire.
Practice tipsPiano Concerto No. 2 (solo arrangement)
RachmaninoffThe most beloved piano concerto in the repertoire, arranged for solo piano. The opening chords build like tolling bells, and the sweeping melodies demand both power and poetry from the performer.
Practice tipsLiebestraum No. 3
LisztLiszt's 'Dream of Love' is a nocturne-like piece that transforms a simple, singing melody through increasingly elaborate pianistic textures. The cadenza passages demand both technical command and romantic expressiveness.
Practice tipsLa Campanella
LisztOne of the most dazzling virtuoso showpieces in the piano literature, imitating the sound of a bell through extreme right-hand leaps. The repeated high D# rings throughout like a distant campanile.
Practice tipsRevolutionary Etude
ChopinChopin's furious study in left-hand technique, written in response to the fall of Warsaw. The torrential left-hand passagework demands extraordinary speed, control, and endurance while the right hand declaims powerful chords.
Practice tipsHungarian Rhapsody No. 2
LisztThe most famous of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies, immortalized in countless cartoons. It shifts from the brooding, improvisatory Lassan section to the explosive, dance-like Friska with extreme technical demands.
Practice tips