Getting your children interested in playing piano isn’t always easy. One thing that often makes children (and, really, anyone who is just starting lessons) frustrated is that they can’t play any songs. They don’t feel like they’re actually accomplishing anything, even though learning the notes and how to play is the first step in their Atlanta piano lessons.
To help beginners get over this frustration, piano teachers often pick a few of the most popular, easy piano songs to start. These songs are easy to learn and play, so kids feel accomplished. Here are some of these great beginner piano songs your child can learn.
Chopsticks
“Chopsticks” may be the most popular song new pianists learn. It’s simple, basic, but a great beginner song that only requires two fingers to play. Most people, even those who haven’t really studied music or taken lessons, can play this song. Despite its simplicity, though, it’s important that you let your child know that they’ve accomplished something—they’re playing a song on the piano!
Happy Birthday
“Happy Birthday” is a classic song for kids. Mastering it gives your child a skill they can show off at future birthday parties. Playing along as everyone else sings to the birthday person will help your child feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in their piano skills.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Another beginner song is “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”. It’s a song everyone knows, making it a great one to learn in the early stages of piano lessons. It also has lyrics, and sometimes singing along with a song helps kids focus on the notes. As an added bonus, it is nearly identical to the Alphabet Song. By learning where to add or remove a few notes, your little piano player will have mastered two songs.
Ode to Joy
Beethoven is known for some of the most complex and amazing pieces of music, but he also wrote a number of very simple pieces, too. “Ode to Joy” may not necessarily be an entry-level song, but after learning “Happy Birthday” and “Twinkle Twinkle”, it’s a good next step. The notes are a little more challenging, but they’re nothing your child can’t handle after a few lessons. It can also make new players feel great knowing that they can play a Beethoven song.
Fur Elise
Beethoven has another great piece for new players, “Fur Elise”. It’s one of the classic beginner tunes because the melody is simple to learn but can be expanded upon. After your child has the basic notes down, you can encourage them to play around with it, adding notes here and there to make their own unique arrangement of Fur Elise without worrying about making mistakes.
Ave Maria
Schubert’s “Ave Maria” is well-known and sounds beautifully when sung by a full choir, but the actual melody is fairly straightforward and easy to learn. It’s a great practice song for chords and arpeggios.
Swan Lake
The classic ballet score to Swan Lake, composed by Tchaikovsky, includes a familiar tune that is known to many people, even those who haven’t seen the ballet before. Simply titled “Swan Lake”, it’s another piece of music taught in early piano lessons. It’s a bit of a step up from Happy Birthday, but it’s a great piece of music to challenge new players.
Ready to Get Started?
These 7 songs are incredibly popular but easy to learn! If you need sheet music when learning these songs, there are different downloadable sheet music resources across the web. If your child has been asking for piano lessons, or if you want them to learn this timeless instrument, there’s no time like the present to look into private lessons. Contact us today to learn more about our in-home music lessons.
