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[Christmas] Introducing recommended Christmas songs that are easy to play even for piano beginners
At Christmas, familiar streets are adorned with illuminations, creating a magical, dreamlike world.
While your heart may dance with excitement, some of you might also feel a little wistful as the end of the year approaches.
In this article, we’ll introduce songs perfect for the Christmas season, especially for beginner pianists.
From classic children’s songs and pop to Western hits and classical pieces, there are plenty of sheet music options arranged for beginners.
There are many pieces—from fun and uplifting to beautifully serene—so start by trying to play just the melody!
[Christmas] Introducing recommended Christmas songs that are easy to play even for piano beginners (1–10)
White ChristmasIRVING BERLIN
Gently enveloping the nostalgia of Christmas, this classic was written for the 1942 film “Holiday Inn” and is now beloved worldwide as a Christmas standard.
Its relaxed tempo and simple melodic line make it easy to follow even for those just starting the piano, and the left-hand accompaniment is built on basic chord progressions, making it approachable.
As you play, imagine a quietly accumulating snowy landscape, and pour your heart into each note.
Let It GoKristen Anderson-Lopez,Robert Lopez
This is a beloved classic that became famous worldwide as a song from the 2013 film Frozen.
Elsa, who has hidden her ice magic since childhood, sings it in the moment she finally breaks free from repression and resolves to live as her true self.
The memorable chorus stays within a single octave, making it attractive and easy to play on the piano.
Although the sheet music features lots of syncopation and ties and may look difficult, you should find it surprisingly smooth to play if you rely on the melody that’s already stuck in your head.
Don’t get too hung up on the score—approach it with the mindset of recreating that moving melody on the piano.
sleddingLeroy Anderson
A Christmas song brimming with fun and humor that depicts the scene of riding a sleigh through a winter landscape.
It’s loved around the world, and in one ranking it even claimed the top spot as “the most performed Christmas music in the United States”! A wide variety of piano sheet music arrangements have been published, so it’s appealing that you can play a version that suits you.
Try starting with just the melody in your right hand—you’ll feel that exciting Christmas spirit right away!
The Nutcracker: Waltz of the FlowersPyotr Tchaikovsky
The sparkling waltz that appears in Act II of the ballet The Nutcracker is a beloved classic performed around the world from Christmas through the New Year.
Premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in 1892, this piece stands out within the work for its particularly elegant and beautiful melody, and sheet music has been published in various arrangements, including piano solo and four hands.
Beginning with a horn call and moving through dazzling harp embellishments, the graceful main theme unfolds—an orchestral charm you can fully savor at the piano as well.
Getting comfortable with the three-beat waltz rhythm is key, so try practicing while feeling the pulse with hand claps.
Frosty the SnowmanWalter Engle “Jack” Rollins&Steve Nelson
This work tells a delightful story: when the children place an old silk hat on the snowman they made, it becomes imbued with magic, springs to life, and dashes around the town with them.
Even when the sun rises, the snow melts, and the time comes to part, the ending promise—“I’ll come back again someday”—evokes the turning of the seasons and the fleeting nature of childhood.
Composed with a bright, light rhythm and an easy-to-remember melody, it’s also approachable to play on the piano.
It’s perfect for performing together with children who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of winter!
Wonderful HolidayTakeuchi Mariya
Included on the 2001 album “Bon Appetit!,” this song was originally written for a Kentucky Fried Chicken Christmas commercial and has continued to brighten winters in Japan for over 20 years as one of Mariya Takeuchi’s signature numbers.
Its bright major-key melody is easy to remember, and the chord progression is simple, making it approachable even for those who have just started playing the piano.
Begin by playing the warm phrases with your right hand, and once you’re comfortable, try adding the left-hand accompaniment.
If you perform while picturing cozy time with family, you’re sure to welcome a heartwarming Christmas.
Shepherds, keeping their flocksJohn Gardner
Angels announcing the birth of Jesus Christ to shepherds, and wise men traveling from the East guided by a star—this traditional English carol, which has long passed down that Bible story in a humble melody, is arranged here for piano in a gentle and simple style.
The beautiful melody paired with a simple, stylish arpeggiated accompaniment brings out the best of the piano, and in the key of C major it’s an easy arrangement for beginners.
Start by carefully learning the melody and the arpeggiated accompaniment without added chords.
Once you can play the defining contours of the piece accurately, try adding the chords and aim to keep a steady tempo without disturbing the triple meter.