10 easy piano songs for beginners

Excited to start playing the piano but don’t know where to start? We’ve got you. Sure, you could begin by learning the names of all the notes, memorizing scales, and practicing posture… but here’s a better idea: Why not start by playing along with some of your favorite songs today?

In our experience, the single biggest differentiator between a piano student who sticks with it and one for whom it never quite clicks is motivation. That is to say, when you want to learn, and you enjoy the process, you’ll be far more likely to put the time in. You’ll go further, faster, and have more fun while you’re at it. And what could be more fun than actually playing piano tunes you already love?

So here are our top picks of easy songs to play on piano. Featuring both classic and contemporary tracks, here’s a list of songs for beginners that you can start learning right away. Each one is available in the ROLI Learn app, together with a Quick Play version that’s designed to get you playing right away, no matter your level of experience. All you need to get started is ROLI Piano or Piano M and a membership to the app.

Elton John — Your Song

Where better to start than with The Rocket Man himself? This 1970 fan favorite was written by Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin but originally recorded by a US rock band by the name of Three Dog Night. The musical world can be thankful that they insisted the soon-to-be Sir Elton release it as a single himself instead. It’s since gone twice platinum and become one of the best-loved tracks of one of Britain’s most treasured entertainers. Spend a few minutes with the Quick Play version in the ROLI Learn app and you’ll be able to tell everybody that this is your song too.

Billie Eilish — Bad Guy

Recorded in a bedroom with brother Finneas, Billie Eilish’s debut album took the pop industrial complex by storm in 2019. Proving once again that talent beats budgets and big-name collaborators, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? may be best remembered for its fifth single, “Bad Guy”.  With its super-intimate vocal sound, insistent bass groove, and irresistible melodic hooks, it’s a modern classic — and one that sounds great when stripped down to its essentials as a beginner piano song.

The Beatles — Hey Jude

Penned by Paul McCartney for the launch of the band’s record label, Apple, “Hey Jude” was a huge hit, tying the then-record for weeks at the top of the Billboard 100. Written during a time of both professional and personal turmoil, for the band, the song (originally “Hey Jules”) was written for John Lennon’s son, Julian. With its steady rhythm and easy fingering, our Quick Play version of the track makes for an easy-yet-satisfying first song on piano. And if you can manage a “na na na na,” you’ll have no trouble singing along either.

The Weeknd — Blinding Lights

Listening back, it’s almost no surprise that “Blinding Lights” became the longest-charting song in history upon its release. Co-written by Swedish pop mastermind Max Martin, this irresistible flashback is all about ‘80s vibes and that massive synth melody. Even in a stripped-back form, this one’s instantly recognizable on piano too.

ABBA — Dancing Queen

Long before Max Martin, we had Agnetha, Björn, Benny, and Anni-Frid to thank for the biggest, catchiest pop songs of the moment. A Scandinavian spin on the disco sounds dominating US charts at the time, “Dancing Queen” was to be the group’s only Billboard number-one hit. The song features several prominent-yet-playable piano parts that make it a great introduction to the instrument.

Dua Lipa — Don't Start Now

Staying with the disco theme, we have the song that kicked off a 2020s revival of the sound. Dua Lipa’s “Don’t Start Now” brings funky basslines, space-age synth sounds, and soaring strings right up to date, together with an enormous, layered piano sound.  The song’s infectious groove shines through in ROLI Learn’s Quick Play arrangement too — so why not start now?

The Beach Boys — God Only Knows

Paul McCartney once told an interviewer that he believed “God Only Knows” to be the greatest song ever written. And who would argue with the man who wrote “Hey Jude”? Typical of Brian Wilson’s writing, the song’s densely-packed arrangement features all manner of harmonic twists and turns. It wouldn’t typically feature on a list of easy piano songs for beginners, but that hasn’t stopped us from packing its essence into a simple-yet-satisfying Quick Play arrangement.

Adele — Someone Like You

Time for a return to proper piano ballads (both for this list and in general). Adele’s 2011 smash “Someone Like You” topped the charts in 19 countries and contributed a great deal to making her a household name today. There are only really two elements to this iconic track: the first is Adele’s unmistakable voice, but it wouldn’t have been quite the same without the arpeggiated piano backing played by her co-writer Dan Wilson.

Coldplay — Clocks

This list is awash with powerful piano parts, but are any as instantly recognizable (and integral to the song’s success) as the intro to Coldplay’s 2011 hit “Clocks”? And with simple descending arpeggios in the right hand and a slow, steady bassline in the left, this one’s a lot easier to learn than you might think. Dive into the Quick Play version and you’ll be adding this classic to your repertoire in no time.

Journey — Don't Stop Believin'

We end our list, like so many pub DJ sets, with Journey’s 1981 single, “Don’t Stop Believin’”. Like “Clocks”, this song is recognizable from that first piano chord. And the title, taken from life advice given by keyboard player Jonathan Cain’s father, is one that any budding pianist ought to take to heart. Need proof? Invest just a little time in learning how to play this one, and you’ll gain the lifelong power to instigate a rousing singalong around any piano you come across.

Learn to play with ROLI Pianos

Looking for more songs to play on the piano? Get access to all of the above, and a thousand more of your favorites, with ROLI Piano and Piano M. There are also 150+ Quick Play songs like those above, these are classical or contemporary pieces that our experts have adapted into easy piano music for beginners. Choose the size that best suits your needs, pair it with a membership to the ROLI Learn app, and let glowing keys (plus your AI-powered Piano Assistant) guide your way to success.

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