Sheet music

Easy piano sheet music: 29 pieces for beginners

Pieces you can play within days or weeks – with an honest assessment of what makes them easy and where they still catch you out. Nothing is listed here because it sounds easy, but because it lies easy.

29 pieces7 in the public domain

Sweden (Minecraft)C418 (Daniel Rosenfeld)The four chords a whole generation associates with evenings at the screen – plain and instantly recognisable. Für EliseLudwig van BeethovenThe best-known piano melody there is – and one of the few pieces almost anyone can start playing within weeks.in the public domain Pokémon ThemeJohn Siegler, John Loeffler“Gotta catch ’em all” – the tune millions know by heart before they ever sit at a piano. All of MeJohn LegendThe wedding piece of the 2010s – an accompaniment pattern you learn once and then carry. Jingle BellsJames Lord PierpontThe first Christmas piece almost every child can play – five notes are enough for the melody.in the public domain ImagineJohn LennonProbably the best-known piano accompaniment in pop history – and one of the friendliest for beginners. City of Stars (La La Land)Justin HurwitzThe melody that carried the film – calm, plain and without a single hard passage. HallelujahLeonard CohenThe song played at weddings and funerals alike – with a chord progression the lyrics themselves describe. Let It BePaul McCartneyFour chords everyone knows – the piece many people play their first accompaniment with. Someone Like YouAdeleAdele’s arpeggio pattern – one of the most rewarding pieces for a first performance of your own. Zelda's LullabyKoji KondoThe melody millions know from the game – short, calm and ideal as a first game piece. Sadness and Sorrow (Naruto)Toshio MasudaThe melancholy flute melody from Naruto – one of the most played anime pieces on the piano. Ode to JoyLudwig van BeethovenThe European anthem – and in almost every piano method the first piece that sounds like music.in the public domain Silent NightFranz Xaver GruberThe Christmas carol – written in Oberndorf in 1818, sung today in more than 300 languages.in the public domain CreepRadioheadFour chords repeated ninety times – and never boring. A Thousand YearsChristina Perri, David HodgesThe most played wedding song of the 2010s – calm, even and without a single hard passage. Avatar: The Last Airbender – Main ThemeJeremy ZuckermanThe short, ceremonial theme of the series – told in a few bars and quickly learnt. Viva la VidaColdplayFour chords at marching tempo – one of the most rewarding pop pieces for the left hand. Last ChristmasGeorge MichaelThe Christmas song half of Europe argues about every year – and everyone sings along anyway. Gymnopédie No. 1Erik SatieSatie’s study in slowness – technically one of the easiest concert pieces, musically anything but.in the public domain Bella CiaotraditionalAn old Italian song that a TV series turned into a worldwide earworm.in the public domain PerfectEd SheeranSheeran’s wedding waltz – the six-eight metre makes it softer than most pop ballads. Prelude in C majorJohann Sebastian BachBach’s best-known prelude – a single broken-chord pattern that transforms over 35 bars.in the public domain Shape of YouEd SheeranThe most streamed pop song of its time – four chords, one rhythm, done. Speak Softly Love (The Godfather)Nino RotaThe waltz melody that sounds like Sicily at once – slow, plain and within reach in days. Gravity Falls – Main ThemeBrad BreeckThe short, mysterious title theme – quickly learnt and instantly recognisable. DespacitoLuis Fonsi, Erika EnderThe summer hit that broke every streaming record – on the piano four chords with a Latin rhythm. Way Back Then (Squid Game)Jung Jae-ilThe innocuous-sounding tune that is anything but innocuous in the series. Mad WorldRoland OrzabalIn the quiet 2001 version a pure piano piece – four chords, a great deal of effect.