Easy Pop Songs to Learn on Piano: A Beginner's Tutorial

As a beginner piano player, it's easy to get discouraged when you struggle with songs you love. The good news is, you can learn almost any song by starting with a simplified version suitable for beginners. This article will guide you through the process of selecting and learning easy pop songs on the piano, helping you build skills and confidence along the way.

Piano Basics

The first step for all new pianists is to get familiar with the layout of the piano keyboard. Don’t worry too much about theory and musical vocabulary at this point. When you feel comfortable playing with both hands separately, it’s time to practice with both hands together. After practicing these basic steps, you can move on to piano chords, scales, and different ranges of notes. You can also adjust the tempo and rhythm of your playing based on your skill level.

Judging Song Difficulty

When trying to find simple songs for beginners, don’t jump headfirst into playing before first checking the notes. You can easily judge the difficulty of piano songs by looking at the notes and sheet music.

Look at the Notes

If you’ve been making headway with your sight reading, look at the first few measures and see if you can make sense of the notes. If it looks like a foreign language to you and it’s not easy to follow, it’s probably too difficult. It’s okay to go down a level and try easier songs to start learning.

Range of Notes

When you’re starting on the piano, it’s difficult to move from one set of notes to another. Easy piano songs keep your fingers within a five-note range. Can you identify an octave and play it easily? For example, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” starts with an octave jump. If you can read a broader range of notes, then piano songs for beginners might be too easy. If the song seems too easy, you may be able to handle the next level of difficulty.

Read also: Simple Melodies for Piano

Complexity of the Rhythm

Look at the rhythm in the first four measures of the song you want to play. Easy piano songs mostly use quarter notes, half notes, and whole notes. Try clapping the rhythm a few times. If you know the song, use your memory to help you. If you can get the rhythm after one or two tries, you should be good to go and can learn how to play it yourself.

Key Signatures and Accidentals

Always check the key of the song. You can do this by looking for sharp or flat symbols next to the treble and bass clefs. This is called the key signature. Beginner piano songs tend not to use sharps and flats, but you might see a few. Apart from the key signature, keep an eye out for any sharp, flat, or natural symbols in front of any notes. These “accidentals” only apply to the measure they’re in.

Playing Both Hands Together

As a beginner, you should begin practicing piano music by learning each hand separately. Easy piano songs sometimes have three-note chords for the left hand. You can begin learning your favorite song by using three-note chords with one hand.

Tempo and Length of the Piece

Remember that you can always adjust the tempo and length of the song. If the song seems too easy, you can gradually increase the tempo. Don’t feel pressured to go too fast too soon or you won’t play with accuracy. As a beginner, try to find a simpler version of the song you want to play. Choose a song in the key of C, that is not too fast, and that doesn’t have big leaps between notes.

How to Identify Easy Pop Songs on Piano

You don’t always need to have advanced musical knowledge to seek out the easy piano pop songs. They can be identified without using sheet music, all you need to do is listen. You can often hear when a song only uses a few chords or notes. It’s not a pop song, but think of the way the Jaws theme uses those two simple, brooding notes to build tension. Many popular pop songs actually are using synthesizers, which give the notes a lot of character even if the melodies are simple written. The best piano app for beginners can help players who have reached an intermediate level of skill to hear a song and quickly work out how to play it by ear. A lot of pop music makes use of simple chord progressions and the same types of structure, making it inoffensive to the ear and “radio-friendly”. Sometimes it is the simplest songs that are the catchiest. Good news for those looking for simple songs to get them started.

Read also: Beginner Harmonica Guide

Easy piano songs will contain some of these characteristics:

Simple triad chords, often playable on one hand.
Short, simple, repeated piano riffs, or themes that repeat throughout the song.
A chord progression made up of mainly basic chords.
A simple time signature that does not change.
Easy-to-follow structure.

Characteristics of Great Piano Pop Songs

Of course, the songs that you love and consider good pop songs to play on piano will vary depending on your personal tastes. Different pianists love to play different songs and in different styles. However, there are some shared characteristics we see in more basic, easy-to-play piano compositions, whatever your definition of the ‘best’ piano pop song is.

Characteristics of great piano pop songs often include:

Strong and memorable melodies (bonus if there is a catchy vocal melody)
An interesting and exciting piano riff
Relatable lyrics, often where the song tells a story
Many artists will start playing gently, and build their song into something epic with a big chorus
Often written by a prolific pop music composer

Easy Songs to Play on the Piano

Here are some easy songs that are simple to learn, and most importantly, fun to play:

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star: Out of all the easy piano songs, this is always a favorite song to play if you’re an absolute beginner.
Canon: Start with the right hand only as a beginner exercise.
Skipping Stone: Start with the left hand on this one. The song is in three-time, so it moves along a little bit faster.
Californication: Do the right hand alone on this 90s rock classic. There’s no hand position change and no sharps or flats. Still, the rhythm gives you a good workout-especially when played at full speed.
Ain’t No Sunshine: This is a fun song. It has some 8th notes in it, but only a few, no hand position change and no sharps or flats.
Yellow: Hands alternate when playing this song, making it a great exercise in switching hands.
Yankee Doodle: If you want to advance your rhythm reading, this piece is a great one.
Hold Back The River: This beloved classic is lovely to play (and sing along to) at the easy level.
Midnight Train To Georgia: This song is another that uses both hands, but more right hand than left.
Blue Danube: Getting a bit more rhythmic now so there are more challenges in this song to practice.
Molly Malone: This haunting melody is a delight to play. It has a simple left hand, but the right hand gets quite a workout, especially learning to jump over notes.
I’m Yours: This song is especially fun if you’re a baseball fan! It has fairly equal work in each hand, no hand position changes and no sharps or flats.
La Valse D’Amalie: This 60s rock and pop classic has a key signature of one flat (Bb) but also has some sharps and natural signs to cope with.
Black Is The Color Of My True Love’s Hair: This is a great song to practice playing with both hands. At first, each hand only plays one note.
Take Me Out To The Ball Game: A step up in difficulty.
Good Vibrations: If you’ve mastered some easier piano pieces, try this one! It’s in the key of A major, which means it has 3 sharps (F, C, and G).
Desire
Andante
When The Party’s Over

More Easy Songs to Learn on Piano (with Chords)

These songs use simple chord progressions and patterns that repeat, so you can focus on getting comfortable with the keyboard, not lost in notation.

Read also: Learn Bass Guitar

"Let It Be" by The Beatles (C - G - Am - F): Timeless, emotional, and incredibly easy to learn - perfect for smooth chord transitions and practising dynamics.
"Your Song" by Elton John (C - Dm - Em - E): This iconic song introduces players to essential chord shapes and provides a great platform for exploring dynamics and phrasing.
"Clocks" by Coldplay (Eb - Bb - Fm - Ab): A perfect introduction to repeating patterns and left-hand/right-hand coordination. You’ll feel like a real player in no time.
"Lean On Me" by Bill Withers (C - F - G - Am): An uplifting, soulful tune built on straightforward progressions - great for working on rhythm and syncopation.
"My Future" by Billie Eilish (Gm - G# - G#m): Soft and moody - ideal for practising dynamic control and left-hand shapes in a slower tempo.
"In The End" by Linkin Park (Em - C - G - D): Modern, emotional and accessible. Great for working on rhythm, contrast and creativity with the pentatonic scale.
"All of Me" by John Legend (Em - C - G - D): Simple chords and expressive phrasing. Great for beginners ready to start exploring touch and dynamics.
"Someone Like You" by Adele (A - E - F#m - D): Perfect for learning broken chords and left-hand arpeggios with emotional flow.
"Stay With Me" by Sam Smith (Am - F - C - G): Uses classic pop progressions - great for steady rhythm and dynamic expression.
"Piano Man" by Billy Joel (C - G - Am - F - Dm): A bit more challenging, but an iconic piece for developing left-hand movement and storytelling at the keys.
Imagine - John Lennon (C - Cmaj7 - F): Simple but emotional - great for phrasing and pedal use.
Perfect - Ed Sheeran (G - Em - C - D): A beautiful ballad to practise consistent rhythm and hand coordination.
Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen (C - Am - F - G): Timeless and meditative - excellent for chord timing and emotion.
Let Her Go - Passenger (C - D - Em - G): Gentle, flowing and repetitive - perfect for finger independence.
Someone You Loved - Lewis Capaldi (C - G - Am - F): Simple chords, strong melody - great for emotional dynamics.
Counting Stars - OneRepublic (Am - C - G - F): Fun and rhythmic - good for switching between hands and exploring patterns.
Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley (D - A - G): Classic and slow-paced - excellent for learning chord changes.
A Thousand Years - Christina Perri (Bb - F - Gm - D#): A romantic favourite that reinforces timing and balance.
Let It Go - Idina Menzel (Frozen) (C - G - Am - F): Popular, repetitive, and great for children or families learning together.
Shallow - Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper (Em - D - G - C): A modern favourite with a simple progression and lots of emotional range - perfect for beginners looking to play something current and expressive.

Even More Easy Pop Songs to Play on Piano for Beginners

Don’t think you can play songs on the piano as a beginner? Think again! Even the fanciest pop songs are often built on just a handful of chords. Play the chords and you can play a whole song!

Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen: Leonard Cohen’s majestic classic only requires a handful of chords and the iconic accompaniment in the left hand fits nicely into the 6/8 time signature.
The Scientist by Coldplay: The hypnotic opening riff to “The Scientist” only contains three simple chords…and you can play the entire song with them!
Perfect by Ed Sheeran: A perfect song for a lucky Valentine, Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” only contains four basic chords in G major.
All of Me by John Legend: This song is originally in the key of D-flat major, but we’ve simplified it to the key of D major to make it more accessible. If you want to play it in D-flat major, however, just transpose everything down by one half-step.
Let It Be by The Beatles: This Beatles classic is so well-suited for beginners, we use it as an example all the time. It’s in the key of C major, which means we don’t have to worry about any of the black keys. And it uses the Big 4 chords: C, G, Am, and F.
Complicated by Avril Lavigne: Yes, the Canadian indie darling! This is an awesome little song that’s super beginner-friendly while sounding great. The iconic descending riff is just a descending bass line with a 1st inversion D major chord on top.
Sunday Morning by Maroon 5: Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning” is an excellent introduction to one of the most popular chord progressions out there: the 2-5-1. Sometimes notated as ii7-V7-Imaj7, this progression is a core building block of jazz music. It also sounds sophisticated and awesome!
What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong: The magic of this song is that it only contains a handful of chords all in a simple quarter-note rhythm.
Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish: “Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish is absolutely beautiful…and it only requires three chords
Faded by Alan Walker: The handful of chords that make up “Faded” by Alan Walker are simple quarter note beats, but they’re such beautiful chords! This song is in D minor, which means there is only one flat (Bb) to worry about.

Tips on learning your first song on piano

No matter which song you choose, here are a few practice tips that you can apply to any track.

Start with the right hand - Play the melody slowly. Focus on accuracy rather than speed. Use finger numbers to develop muscle memory.
Add the left hand gradually - Practice simple chords or bass notes in isolation before combining with the melody. Start hands together only when both are steady individually.
Use a metronome - A metronome is a really useful and simple tool to help maintain rhythm.
Break it down - Divide the song into sections (intro, chorus, bridge). Learn and practice each part before putting them together.
Refine and add emotion - Focus on dynamics by playing louder in dramatic sections and softer during introspective parts. Experiment with phrasing to make the music your own.
Celebrate small wins - Record yourself playing and watch your progress. Play it for friends or family for encouragement.

Examples of Easy Pop Songs and How to Play Them

Here are a few examples of easy pop songs and tips on how to play them:

Robbie Williams - She’s the One

This song can easily be played by a brand new pianist. It is slow and simple, with lots of space between the different phrases, making it one of the best types of songs for you to learn the basics, and not get confused or flustered.

Can be played in the key of C major
Played with the time signature of 4/4
The bass notes play only at the beginning of each measure
There are just nine piano chords used in the whole song

Ed Sheeran - Perfect

Ed Sheeran’s song Perfect is one of the biggest hit songs of 2019, and even though it was written for guitar, it is also one of the best pop songs to learn on piano. The melody will be played simply in the right hand, but because of his vocal register it will start much further down than many piano songs and melodies will.

The song is transposed for piano in the key of C major
It is written using the time signature of 12/8, but beginners may find it easier to count in sixes rather than 12s.
The chords can be substituted for the bass line, by playing them on the left hand
The primary musical note in the bass line is a dotted half note, which counts for three beats
The majority of the melody can be played using just the white notes, good for beginners

Coldplay - The Scientist

Coldplay’s beautiful ballad written for piano is an iconic song of recent years. It is one of many piano pop songs that allows you to play piano keys and bouncing chords in the right hand, and a bass line on your left hand, set nicely against the chords. This is one of the best pop piano melodies with some more unusual chords. It doesn’t follow the conventions of a lot of famous pop songs so closely, but it is still iconic.

The right hand plays steady quarter note chords
Timing is very important in songs that use syncopation strongly like this one, where the bass notes aren’t always on the beat. Use Skoove’s built in metronome in the piano teaching app to help with keeping time
The song gives an introduction to some chord variations including “sus” chords.

Adele - Rollin’ in the Deep

Adele’s Rollin’ in the Deep is much more about the vocal performance than the piano performance, but it is still one of the best pop songs piano players can add to their repertoire. The piano can fill the gap of Adele’s iconic voice, by writing the piano sheet music in such a way to allow the melody of the vocals be played in the right hand of the piano.

You can play the vocal melody on the right hand along with chords on the left.
The chords and perfect fifths are written in the left hand, be careful to watch the fingering and move between them using your pinky and thumb
The time signature is written in 4/4
The song is written in C minor
This melody uses sixteenth notes, which are twice as fast as eighth notes

Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

One of the most famous piano pop songs, and a brilliant party piece for pianists. Okay, it’s a challenge for a beginner, but it is possible, and wow will you impress your friends. Released in 1975, Bohemian Rhapsody is one of the best songs ever written.

It is a long song, make sure to break it into small pieces
The time signature and key signature change over time in this song, make sure to learn it in small sections and then play them together. You can even learn one part per day to make it easier
The melody and bassline are intricate, the fingering will be very important to learning how to play it correctly
This will be a mammoth task for beginners, so be sure to allocate plenty of time and try not to get frustrated

Step-by-step guide to playing 'Let it Be'

Start with the right-hand chords

In this arrangement, your right hand will be mostly playing the full chords for the song. Here are the shapes to practice:

C major: C-E-G
G major (1st inversion): B-D-G
A minor: A-C-E
F major part: (see below)

Take your time practising each chord and focus on smooth transitions between them.

Add the left-hand bass notes

The left hand plays single bass notes that correspond to each chord:

Keep the bass notes steady as you add them to your practice.

Combine both hands

Now, play the right-hand chords and left-hand bass notes together. Start slowly and focus on timing. This is where the song begins to come together.

Add rhythm and dynamics

To make your playing more expressive:

Experiment with dynamics: play softly in the verses and louder in the chorus.
Add rhythmic variation: try holding the bass notes steady while playing the chords with a slight swing.

Play the whole song

Once you’ve practised, bring it all together and play the full song with the vocal part. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be (x2)

The Big 4 Chords

If you want to quickly learn any pop song, be sure to familiarize yourself with the Big 4 chords: C, G, Am, and F. With just these chords, you can unlock hundreds (if not thousands!) of popular songs.

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