Easy Piano Songs for Beginners Anyone Can Learn Today

Somebody once told me that you’re gonna have the time of your life playing this song — and that special somebody lives in a swamp, has a donkey for a best friend, is an ogre, and hates all music ... except for this song. "All Star" by Smash Mouth is a bouncy, feel good hit that’ll have you rocking and rolling in no time. And just remember that no matter how hard some of these chords may be to learn, don’t get down on yourself. I mean, hey now, you’re an all-star. Get your game on. Go play! 

Verses: F# major / C# major / G# minor / B major

Pre-Chorus: F# major / C# major / G# minor / B major

Chorus: F# major / B major / B dim / F# major / E major / B major 

This modern pop love song was a breakthrough moment for Ed Sheeran, and remains one of his best. The song also happens to be very easy to play on the right hand. Get started with some basic chords.

Verse: D / G / A

Pre-Chorus 1: Em / A / D / Em / A

 Pre-Chorus 2: Em / A / Bm / Em / A

Chorus:  D / G / A

Chorus 2: This one gets a bit complicated at the end of the chorus, but the simplest form of the progression is:

Bm / A / G / F#m / Em / A / D

I have a hunch that The Weeknd was inspired to write this song after going to the beach on a very sunny day and forgetting his sunglasses. A massive tribute to the 80s, this synthpop banger feels like what happens after you drink a cup of espresso, eat an entire box of Sour Patch Kids, and then have to find your way out of one of those old Chuck E. Cheese fun house mazes. Jokes aside, this is another fun and easy song to learn that you don’t just have to play on Saturdays and Sundays. Get it? It’s a joke about the weeken... never mind. 

 Fm / Cm / Eb maj / Bb maj

Laden with funky synth sounds, a driving disco beat, vocoders, and even a string section, it’s no surprise why Levitating was one of the most played songs of the past year. Clocking in at only THREE chords, this song is simple to play and lends itself to groovy rhythms. It’s the perfect song for a family dance party — imagine the Von Trapps wearing spandex suits and doing splits under a disco ball. 

B min7 / F#min7 / Emin7 /  B min7

Olivia Rodrigo was one of the year's top breakout artists and this is the song that started it all for her. Simplicity is key in this emotional ballad that will surely tug on your heartstrings as you’ll only be playing a handful of chords throughout. The hardest part about practicing this song will be not breaking down into tears as you and your friends all sing along by candle light and eat ice cream straight from the bucket. I’m not crying, you’re crying.

Verse: G maj / Em / C maj / G 

Chorus: C maj / G maj / C maj / G maj

Final section of the chorus: Em / D / G / Bm7 / C / C / D / G

This song was an instant classic when it came out, and it still stands up today. It’s also quite easy to play on piano, and if you know a few basic chords you can work your way through each section with ease.

Verse: Em / G / D / C 

Pre-Chorus: Em / D / Bm / C / Em / D / C

Chorus: Em / C / G / D

Roll out the red carpet as the undisputed queen of the piano ballad has returned. At first I thought this song was written from the perspective of the egg that Adele was cooking for breakfast but after listening, I realized that "Easy On Me" was yet another truly moving song in her discography. Like most of Adele’s songs, the chord progressions are simple with a few rich textures, complimenting the emotional depth of her lyrics.

Verse: C maj / Am7 / Em / Fmaj7 / G

Chorus: Gmaj / Cmaj / Am7 / G maj / Em / Dm7

Cmaj /Am7 / G maj / Em / Dm7

C maj / F maj7 / G maj

C maj / Am7 / Em / Fmaj7

Arguably one of the best songs Paul McCartney has ever written, “Let It Be” is a standout in a catalog full of classics. Thankfully, it’s also really easy to play a simple version of this Beatles hit.

Verse: C / G / Am / F / C / G / F / C / E / Dm / C

Chorus 1: Am / G / F / C

Chorus 2: C / G / F / C / E / Dm / C

The late, great Warren Zevon wrote some beautiful music in his life, but perhaps no song of his is as recognizable as “Werewolves of London.” The song was a massive hit and a really great party song, and it turns out it’s also quite easy to play in a simplified manner. 

In fact, there are only three chords in the entire song! When you listen to the song itself you’ll hear that the piano part sounds quite complex, but you can get started with the three basic chords underneath the arrangement. 

D / C / G

Bill Withers’ monumental “Lean On Me” is in fact one of his most simple compositions. The legendary songwriter and singer wrote this classic with a simple message that was elevated by a very simple yet impactful chord progression.

C / C / Dm / Em / F / F/ Em / Dm / C

C / Dm / Em / Em / G

C / C / Dm / Em / F / F / Em / Dm / C

C / Dm / Em / G / C

This one isn’t traditionally played on piano, but it’s a fun one to try out! Who doesn’t groove to this classic love song? With just a few simple chords, you can play a version you’ll have no problem singing along with.

Verse: C / F (x4)

Chorus:  C / Dm / F / G (x2)

Chorus 2: C / F / G

John Legend’s “All Of Me” is a modern love song that was a huge hit when it was released, and it’s also notable for being really accessible on piano. Sure, there are some chord variations that Legend plays, but in its basic form it’s a few chord progressions that are really beautiful and fun to play.

Watch out, because you’ll be employing the black keys on the piano for this one. It’s a bit of a challenge at first, but worth it once you get the changes down!

Verse: Fm  / Db / Ab / Eb

Bridge: Bbm / Ab / Eb 

Chorus: Ab / Fm / Bbm / Db / Eb

What list of great piano songs would be complete without “Hey Jude”? This master class in songwriting is also a great way of getting some crucial chords down that involve the black keys on your piano. If you can nail these basics, you’ll be well on your way to the next level as a piano player.

Verse: F / C / C7 / C

Verse 2: Bb / F / C7 / F

Chorus: F7 / Bb / Bb / A / Gm / Gm7 / C / F