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[J-POP] Certified Pro if You Can Play It!? An Insanely Difficult Piano Piece
Groovy J-pop that blends the sounds of guitars, bass, drums, and various instruments with distinctive vocals.
In fact, it sounds insanely cool on the piano, too.
That said, as you can imagine, since these aren’t originally piano pieces—and because you have to express both the instruments and vocals on a single piano—mastering them is extremely difficult!
This time, we’ve handpicked some particularly high-level tracks from among those J-pop songs that are tough to play on piano.
The difficulty varies greatly depending on the arrangement and performance approach, but the more complex the arrangement, the cooler it tends to be.
If you want to be able to pull off challenging J-pop pieces, be sure to check these out!
[J-POP] Certified Pro if You Can Play It?! Piano Pieces That Are Incredibly Difficult (1–10)
migratory bird[Alexandros]
![migratory bird[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/C0jkZrq_Yms/sddefault.jpg)
Wataridori, released in 2015 as the major-label debut single of the rock band [Alexandros].
The song has been featured in beer and car commercials as well as the BGM for popular attractions, and these days it seems to be a staple at school sports days and athletic festivals.
When trying to recreate its exhilarating, fast-paced sound—so well-suited to dynamic visuals and events—on the piano, the difficulty inevitably rises.
It’s ideal to maintain a steady tempo in the accompaniment to convey a positive energy, while allowing the melody to be played freely in broad phrases.
idolYOASOBI
YOASOBI’s “Idol,” used as the opening theme for the TV anime Oshi no Ko, became a global sensation, ranking high not only on domestic music charts but also on international ones.
The track is packed with addictive elements—programmed sounds, sound effects, and ikura’s rap.
Because it’s up-tempo and features many complex key changes, it’s quite a challenge to reproduce on the piano! However, if you can play it with a solid groove and sharp articulation, it will undoubtedly level up your piano performance.
Give it a try!
Zankyo SankaAimer
Zankyo Sanka, sung by Aimer, whose powerful yet husky voice is her hallmark, was selected as the opening theme for the TV anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Entertainment District Arc.
Performing this song on the piano is extremely challenging, as it fully showcases Aimer’s energy and advanced vocal techniques.
Difficult elements come one after another, such as shifts from 3/4 to 4/4 time.
Loosen your whole body while changing the mood in the ballad-like middle section, then power through the latter half with vigor!
reverse dreamKing Gnu
King Gnu’s “Ichizu” (Sakayume), used as the ending theme for the anime film Jujutsu Kaisen 0, is a striking track featuring distinctive twin vocals and high-level band sounds.
While it’s extremely challenging to reproduce on piano the melody that conveys a sense of sorrow and helplessness, along with the grand sound that supports it, the piece is also highly compatible with the piano, which can produce a wide range of tones from delicate to powerful.
By all means, aim for a large-scale performance with a version enhanced by a pianistic arrangement!
unravelTK from RIN TO SHITE SIGURE
The single “unravel,” released by TK from Ling tosite sigure, the vocalist of the rock band Ling tosite sigure, was used as the opening theme for the anime Tokyo Ghoul.
Beneath its complex and sophisticated melodic lines, the rhythm is constantly subdivided, so solid technique is required to play it well on piano.
However, if you omit this pulsating subdivision, the piece feels lacking, so it’s worth practicing thoroughly to master it.
Along with finger technique, refine your expressive abilities to recreate its unique sound world, and aim for a highly polished performance!
New EraAdo
This is a grand ballad by Ado, who’s blazing down the unstoppable path of stardom, and it also serves as the theme song for the film ONE PIECE FILM RED.
When played with just the piano, it sounds surprisingly tranquil.
The extremely simple low notes resonate with a crisp punch, resulting in a truly magnificent sound.
It’s a refined arrangement that shines whether you play it fast or slow—savor it to the fullest.
If you perform it in front of others, someone might even join in and sing the chorus!
SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism
The ballad “Subtitle” by Official HIGE DANDism captured many hearts with its beautiful melody.
The song became a major topic as the theme for the drama “silent,” starring Ren Meguro and Haruna Kawaguchi.
Its poignant yet beautiful melody pairs exceptionally well with the sound of the piano.
However, to grasp the complex harmonies that create its moving sound, solid performance technique and a deep understanding of the piece are essential.
Keep listening to the original track repeatedly to grasp its world, while mastering the key changes and rhythms.
BetelgeuseYuuri
Yuuri’s “Betelgeuse,” which has surpassed 40 million views on the official channel’s music video and over 400 million total streams, has become a major hit.
Composed around the themes of human connections and bonds, it blends simplicity with dynamic power.
The difficulty of performing this piece on piano varies greatly depending on the arrangement.
An arrangement that maximizes the piano’s expressive potential demands advanced technique, while a gentle, music-box-like arrangement requires a delicate touch to control the sound.
Refine the techniques and expressive skills suited to your chosen arrangement, and shape the performance into something you’re fully satisfied with.
First LoveUtada Hikaru
The exquisite ballad “First Love,” sung by Hikaru Utada.
In 2022, more than 20 years after its release, a drama titled “First Love: Hatsukoi,” inspired by this song and “Hatsukoi,” which was released 19 years later, was streamed and became a hot topic again.
Depending on the arrangement, playing this piece on the piano itself isn’t particularly difficult.
However, to recreate the song’s world and depth without vocals, you need delicate expressiveness and the ability to differentiate tone colors.
Can the heart-wrenching vocals of Hikaru Utada be conveyed using only the piano? Give it a try and find out!
I’m a messMY FIRST STORY
The popular rock band MY FIRST STORY, known as “MaiFasu,” released “I’m a mess” as the B-side to their single “Kokuhaku.” Sparked by a surge of TikTok videos using the track in a short period, the song quickly climbed various charts and became a massive hit, now standing as one of the band’s signature tunes.
While rooted in rock, it also carries a certain calm atmosphere—that balance is part of its appeal.
To avoid a performance that’s merely loud and intense, make full use of dynamic changes in the piano tone to elevate the performance to a higher level.