10 Easy Piano Pieces Every Beginner Should Learn

Learning to play the piano is an exciting, creative journey. The first time you play a recognizable melody, something shifts.

You go from wanting to be a pianist to becoming one.

But here’s the thing: choosing which pieces to learn first can feel completely overwhelming. You might scroll through sheet music books or YouTube tutorials and feel unsure where to start. Some songs look too intimidating. Others don’t feel inspired.

And many lists lump “easy” pieces with music that is absolutely not beginner-friendly.

This curated list changes that.

Below, you’ll find 10 genuinely easy, rewarding, and motivating piano pieces, each chosen because:

• They sound impressive even at a simple level.
• They teach foundational skills every pianist needs
• They build confidence and consistency.
• They’re quick to learn but satisfying to master

I’ve also included recommended sheet music, plus helpful links to two excellent online piano programs—one perfectly suited for aspiring classical players, and another that takes a fun, modern approach for people who want to learn without a rigid structure.

Let’s dive in!

This post may contain affiliate links. As an affiliate of the Amazon Associate program, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through a link to Modacity, Dr. Josh Wright ProPractice, Piano University course by Zach Evans, Musicnotes, Playground Sessions, or Piano Marvel. Please see my full disclosure for further information and privacy policy.

I take no credit for the images appearing on this page. Specific photos are courtesy of Canva. Although I am a nurse practitioner, I am not YOUR medical provider. The information in this post is for informational purposes only. It does NOT replace individualized health information from a qualified medical professional. Please see a qualified medical professional for individualized assistance with your health and wellness.

My Piano Journey

If you’re new to the blog, I’d like to share a brief overview of my musical journey.

I started piano lessons at age 7 and played through high school and college, eventually earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Although my main career is now in a completely different realm, I remain passionate about classical piano and inspiring others to begin their own musical journeys.

I always have an array of side gigs devoted to the piano, including teaching a few students and playing piano and organ for local churches.

Piano tuning and repair are some of my other interests.

I love the piano and enjoy sharing my joy through this blog.

The Best Ways to Learn Piano as a Beginner

Even though you can teach yourself with YouTube and sheet music, most beginners progress faster and more confidently with a structured program that develops strong technique, musical understanding, and motivation.

• Build correct technique
• Understand music theory naturally.
• Stay accountable
• Avoid frustration from guessing what to learn next.

Here are two options depending on your goals:

If You Love Classical Piano Music

Dr. Josh Wright’s ProPractice piano program provides a strong foundation for learning to play the piano by emphasizing correct technique from the very beginning.

The course is divided into skill levels, and even new pianists are introduced to simple piano songs from the very beginning.

I love this course because Dr. Wright provides instructional tutorials on a wide range of classical pieces, again, divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced sections.

This course is great for learning the classics.

You can find a full review of Dr. Josh Wright’s Propractice course here.

If You Want to Learn Piano in a Fun, Laid-Back Way

Zach Evans’s Piano University is ideal for learning chords, pop songs, improvisation, and melodies without strict classical methods.

His approach takes beginner pianists through quick exercises to get them up and playing easy songs.

Great for beginners who want to play fun songs right away, without focusing on the classic repertoire.

He also offers a program to learn piano by ear.

You can find a full review of the Zach Evans programs here.

“Ode to Joy” – Ludwig van Beethoven

This timeless melody is easy to learn, rewarding to play, and helps you quickly build hand coordination and rhythmic skills.

It’s one of my favorite hymns to play on the organ during Sunday morning services.

Here are a few reasons to give this one a try:

• Fun melody in the right hand
• Will help with hand/finger coordination
• It can additionally be helpful in learning to keep a steady rhythm.

“Ode to Joy” is part of this collection of classical music by different composers, simplified for beginners. As your skills advance, you can trade in the beginner version for slightly more complex versions such as those found in hymnals.

“Prelude in C Major” – J.S. Bach

One of the most iconic rites of passage for most aspiring piano players is playing their first piece from Johann Sebastian Bach, arguably one of the most important composers for the instrument in history.

Although it looks complex, “Prelude in C Major” is an accessible piece that helps beginners learn consistent hand movement and basic chord progressions.

The piece has a simple yet satisfying melody supported by a basic chord progression.

Give this one a try to improve your:

• Sense of rhythmic drive
• Coordination between your hands
• Understanding of eighth notes

“Prelude in C Major” can be found in the same collection of classical music mentioned above.

“Let it Be” – The Beatles

If classical music isn’t your thing, this Beatles classic is a fun and approachable song to learn, giving you quick wins and a boost of confidence.

This book features 35 Beatles songs to engage your skills and provide hours of entertainment at the keyboard.

The benefits of learning this song include:

• Learning a simple chord progression
• Layering an interesting melody over left-hand chords
• Being able to play a familiar song that will impress your friends and family!

“Happy Birthday”

This familiar tune prepares you to confidently play at social gatherings and teaches accompanying skills useful in real-world situations.

It’s definitely not a song that is on everyone’s “must learn” list, but it’s fun to be able to spontaneously lead a rousing chorus during your next birthday gathering.

What you’ll learn from this song:

• Recognizable but simple melody in the right hand
• Simple chord accompaniments in the left hand
• Hand coordination
• How to accompany singing

You can find a simplified version of this song in this easy piano song book.

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver

This classic John Denver hit is one of the most beginner-friendly pop/folk songs you can learn on piano.

The repetitive chord progression is easy to master, helps coordinate both hands, and makes playing the piano at gatherings enjoyable from the start.

Even a very basic version sounds warm, full, and recognizable.

This song is a great way to learn:

• Common, yet simple chords found in pop and country music
• Simple left-hand accompaniment pattern
• Learning to coordinate playing and singing together

“Country Roads” is one of those songs where you can sound good immediately. Even playing block chords with a simple rhythm creates that iconic feel. As you progress, you can add broken chords, fills, and melody lines to make it more expressive.

It’s also a perfect song for building your pop piano foundation—the chord shapes here reappear in countless other songs, which means this one piece helps you level up your entire playlist.

You can find it in this beginner-friendly songbook.

“Fur Elise” – Ludwig van Beethoven

You know it. Everyone knows it. And the good news? The opening theme is very beginner-friendly.

In its original form, “Fur Elise” tends to be an easy classical piano song.

But it will likely take the beginner some practice to get it up to tempo.

Reasons you should explore this popular classical favorite:

• It’s a great song to improve your right-hand dexterity.
• This song presents a good reason to improve your reading of accidentals.
• Everyone recognizes this song!

This piece gives you confidence because you’ll instantly recognize what you’re playing—and so will everyone else.

You’ll find it in this book of easy classical piano pieces.

“Moonlight Sonata” – Ludwig van Beethoven

I know I’m really hitting it hard with Beethoven on this list, but few pieces are as hauntingly beautiful—or as instantly recognizable—as Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.

The full first movement is considered early-intermediate, but simplified arrangements make it accessible even for beginners who want to experience its elegance without the technical challenges.

It’s a fantastic introduction to expressive classical playing, helping you develop musicality, control, and the confidence to play beautifully.

This piece is an excellent choice to learn the following:

• Broken chord patterns in the left hand
• Maintaining a steady beat
• Pedal technique for creating that dreamy sound without “mush.”
• Expressive phrasing and dynamics

Even in simplified form, “Moonlight Sonata” feels emotionally rich and mature.

It teaches budding pianists how to play musically—not just accurately. The repeating broken-chord figure in the left hand builds finger strength and control, while the right hand practices gentle melodic shaping.

This piece also gives beginners their first taste of Romantic-era harmony, preparing them for more advanced classical music later.

And let’s be honest: it just feels amazing to say you’re playing “Moonlight Sonata.”

You can find it in this book of easy classical favorites.

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”

No matter the arrangement, this classic teaches you how to voice a melody beautifully, making your piano skills sound impressive right away.

What you’ll learn:

• Right-hand expression
• Smooth phrasing
• Timing across long melodic lines

This song is emotionally expressive and incredibly satisfying once the melody clicks.

Find it in this collection of easy piano songs for the new piano player.

“The Entertainer” – Scott Joplin

Ragtime is rhythmic, lively, and a blast to play. Although this version is simplified from the original, the nature of ragtime music with the syncopated rhythms and dense chordal structures is somewhat more difficult.

Although this book is advertised for beginners, the songs will likely take a beginner a bit more practice than an intermediate or above player would require.

But if you love ragtime, the extra effort is worth it!

And if you take music lessons, it’s a great piece to explore with your piano teacher.

Reasons to play this song:

• You’ll learn syncopation, a shift in the typical beat-emphasis pattern.
• It reinforces hand coordination.
• Finger agility

Ragtime music is fun. Really fun. And this collection of Scott Joplin’s favorites also includes my other favorite, The Maple Leaf Rag.

“Lean on Me” – Bill Withers

A straightforward, soulful piece that beginners love. It’s built on repeating chord patterns and simple melodic lines, making it ideal for early progress.

Why you should play this song:

• Interesting left-hand chords
• Repetitive patterns
• Rhythm and timing

You can sound amazing without reading complex sheet music—and it’s great practice for pop, gospel, or improvisational playing.

The song is included in this book of easy favorites for beginning pianists.

Which Pieces Should You Learn First?

A good beginner path includes a blend of:

• A simple classical melody (Ode to Joy)
• A basic chord-based pop song (Let it Be)
• A technical warm-up piece (Prelude in C Major)
• A beautiful, expressive piece (Moonlight Sonata)

But at the end of the day, it’s never about picking the “right” piece. It’s more about picking the piece that speaks to you. The kind of piece that motivates you to keep returning to the keyboard day after day.

Best Tools for Learning to Play the Piano

A Structured Piano Program

If you’re serious about learning to play the piano, consider a more highly structured program such as the following:

Dr. Josh Wright’s ProPractice Program

If you’re interested in learning to play classical music, I highly recommend this one.

Dr. Wright takes you from a complete beginner to learning advanced piano repertoire.

You can find my complete review of the ProPractice course here.

Zach Evans’ Piano University Courses

If you’re looking for a more laid-back approach, check out the Zach Evans courses.

He guides you through simple methods to start playing recognizable songs at the keyboard.

You can find my complete review of the Piano University courses here.

Guided Practice Resource

If you need some motivation in staying consistent with your piano practice, check out the Modacity app.

This handy app tracks your practice time, including practice streaks.

It also gives you practice tips.

The app was created by musicians, for musicians, and I’ve been using it for years to keep my practice time organized.

You can read my full review of Modacity here.

Piano Lessons

And there’s something to be said about taking regular piano lessons.

Studying with a teacher keeps you focused, and a good teacher will help you find music that inspires you.

Getting individualized, real-time feedback on your playing can be so beneficial.

And many teachers now offer online lessons, making them even more convenient.

Beginner Friendly Sheet Music Books

Here’s a recap of the books mentioned in this post:

• Big Book of Beginner’s Piano Classics
• First 50 Popular Songs You Should Play on Piano
• Scott Joplin: King of Ragtime

Again, some of these songs might take some work to play smoothly.

And that’s ok. It’s even a good thing!

Working on a song for a period of time makes mastering the piece that much more gratifying.

After all, how fun would it be if you could just play something immediately upon first sight?

​Final Thoughts

Becoming a pianist doesn’t require natural talent, perfect technique, or hours of daily practice.

It requires consistent momentum, pieces that excite you, and guidance that keeps you on track.

These 10 pieces will help you build:

• Confidence
• Speed
• Musical understanding
• Finger strength
• A love for the instrument

Start with one piece today. Learn the first eight measures. Then celebrate the fact that you are officially playing real music.

And if you’re looking for more inspiration, check out my other previous posts:

• Learn How to Practice Piano in 15 Minutes a Day
• Why Moms Need Hobbies and the Best Place to Start
• 8 Best Books for Adult Beginners to Learn Piano
• 5 Simple Reasons You Should Be Calling Yourself a Pianist
• How to Learn Piano as an Adult

Until next time, happy practicing!