Top 5 Songs To Learn on the Piano

The piano is an incredibly fun instrument to play. Whether you started as a child learning "Mary Had a Little Lamb" or as an adult wanting to play your favorite songs, learning new pieces is one of the best parts of playing piano. ​

​Music can calm you, excite you, or serve as an outlet for whatever emotions you're experiencing. Feeling yourself master a new piece is exhilarating and deeply rewarding. ​

Here are five songs that will be wonderful to learn on the piano, arranged from beginner to expert: 

Firefly

Firefly song can be found in many beginner piano books. It's a lovely piece that's easy to sightread due to its simple fingerings. It's a slow, happy piece that beginner pianists will enjoy learning.


Ode to Joy by Ludwig Van Beethoven

"Ode to Joy" is an iconic and beautiful piece for piano learners. You've likely heard or learned some of it if you've had any formal piano instruction. This piece can be adapted to match your skill level—it can be simplified for beginners or made more challenging as you progress. It's an excellent choice for tracking your development as a pianist.


Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy

You'll likely recognize Clair de Lune piece once you start playing it. What's wonderful about this composition is that it sounds more complex than it actually is, which makes it an impressive piece to perform for family and friends.


Let It Be by The Beatles

In recent years, Let It Be has developed a lovely and highly recognizable melody that's enjoyable to learn and play, whether or not you're a Beatles fan. Since you're learning piano, it's a good opportunity to explore different musical genres. Mixing classical and popular music will help keep your practice interesting and engaging.


La Campanella by Franz Liszt

La Campanella piece is stunning yet quite challenging. If you're looking for a new piece to learn and want to test yourself, this is an excellent choice with its rapid tempo and technical demands. It may feel frustrating initially, but persisting through the difficulty will make mastering it deeply rewarding.


Conclusion

To truly master the piano and do it justice, you must invest time in learning the keys, melodies, and chords that make it arguably the most beautiful instrument in the world. Exploring different songs and sounds helps you develop this knowledge. 

The piano is also one of the best instruments for composing your own music—learning these pieces might inspire you to create original compositions. While playing piano is enjoyable, it's also challenging. It requires consistent practice and dedication to make meaningful progress. 

The Music & Language Learning Center offers comprehensive courses, from music theory to ear training, to support your piano journey. If you're interested, please visit our course offerings or contact us for a free consultation! 

Kristine Dizon, PhD

Founder and Head Teacher
Music & Language Learning Center