[For Beginners] Recommended Ghibli Masterpieces You’ll Want to Play on the Piano

Village in MayHisaishi Joe

[Piano for Beginners] May Village Level 1 [Free Sheet Music with Do-Re-Mi Notation]

pianojuku-gakuhu.info

It’s a captivating piece with a buoyant melody that conjures up lush, green countryside scenes.

It’s that song from the 1988 film My Neighbor Totoro, played as the sisters, thrilled about their new life, appear on screen.

What’s wonderful about this piece is its brisk, jazz-like rhythm, which adds a stylish, cheerful touch to Japan’s tranquil landscapes.

When playing it on the piano, the key is to bring out a skipping, bouncy sense of rhythm.

If you play energetically and with joy, you’ll surely capture the piece’s sense of excitement.

Try to bounce lightly across the keys as if you were the story’s protagonist.

DepartureHisaishi Joe

[Beginner Piano] Departure Level 2 [Free Sheet Music]

pianojuku-gakuhu.info

This is an iconic piece from the film Kiki’s Delivery Service that brings to mind the scene where the heroine sets off for a new town.

The bright, refreshing melody played by the orchestra perfectly captures that thrilling feeling of taking a first step with hope—and just a touch of anxiety—in your heart.

Beloved since the film’s release in July 1989, this piece lifts your spirits just by listening.

Its friendly tune makes it a great recommendation for those taking on the piano as well! With a simple left-hand accompaniment arrangement to practice, it’s easier to grasp the buoyant rhythms in the right hand.

Try playing these hope-filled tones that herald the beginning of the story.

CatbusHisaishi Joe

[Piano Beginner] Catbus Level 2 [Free Sheet Music]

pianojuku-gakuhu.info

It’s a lively, dynamic piece that brings to mind the scene in the film My Neighbor Totoro where Satsuki and Mei ride a mysterious creature through the night sky.

The song first appeared on the album My Neighbor Totoro Image Song Collection, released in November 1987, and its charm lies in a light, catchy feel that children naturally hum along to.

The fantastical, bouncing melody seems to capture the excitement of setting out on an adventure.

The tempo is fast, and coordinating both hands with a springy touch may take some practice, but start by playing the melody with one hand as if you’re humming it.

Once your fingers get used to it, try both hands with the feeling of dashing lightly ahead!

The River of That DayHisaishi Joe

Joe Hisaishi - “One Summer’s Day” [Absolutely Playable Even for Beginners! How to Play on Piano] Level: ☆☆☆

store.piascore.com

This piece, from the film “Spirited Away,” leaves a lasting impression with its quiet, nostalgic melody that symbolizes the shifting emotions of the protagonist.

The gentle, unhurried piano timbre evokes a bittersweet yet warm feeling, as if recalling past memories or something precious.

In fact, this work was originally a song with vocals, included on the album “Spirited Away: Image Album” released in April 2001, and in the film it was used in an arrangement centered on the piano.

It has been loved beyond the framework of the movie, serving as background music for TV programs and stage productions as well.

It’s a perfect piece for those who want to play as if cherishing each note and weaving a story.

Aim for careful sound production that highlights the beauty of the melody, and try performing while picturing the scenes in your mind!

First workday of the yearHisaishi Joe

[Free Sheet Music] Back to Work Level 2 [Beginner Piano]

pianojuku-gakuhu.info

This is an unforgettable piece with a buoyant 4/4 rhythm that plays when the protagonist heads out for her very first job in Kiki’s Delivery Service.

A mandolin-like accompaniment intertwines with a charming, flute-like melody, carrying with it the exhilaration of soaring over European cityscapes and a feeling of hope.

The music captures the thrill of taking a new step, and the melody is so approachable that you’ll find it a joy to perform, as if stepping right into the world of the story.

When you play this piece, cherish a light, skipping rhythm.

As you imagine the heroine flying straight through the sky, add expressive nuance to your sound and perform—an ode that has been loved ever since the film’s 1989 release.

Arrietty’s SongCecile Corbel

Cécile Corbel “Arrietty’s Song” The Secret World of Arrietty [How to Play on Piano – Absolutely Playable Even for Beginners!] Level ☆

Many people have surely been captivated by Cécile Corbel’s translucent voice and the magical sound of her harp! The theme song from the film “The Secret World of Arrietty” features a beautiful melody and a relaxed tempo, making it easy to perform.

The work is also known for winning the Tokyo Anime Award for Music in 2011.

The lyrics seem to embody the earnest feelings of the tiny protagonist and a way of life in harmony with nature.

To recreate this delicate worldview, the key is to play lightly and fluidly, like harp arpeggios.

If you aim for a whisper-soft, gentle tone, you can achieve a highly polished performance even with fewer notes.

Sometimes, old storiesHisaishi Joe

Tokiko Kato 'Once in a While, Let's Talk About the Old Days' — Porco Rosso (film) Ending Theme [Moving if you can play it! How to Play on Piano] ☆4

store.piascore.com

It’s a piece whose melancholy, chanson-like melody lingers in the heart, gracing the ending of the film Porco Rosso.

Originally created by Tokiko Kato in 1987, it was given a grand orchestral arrangement for the movie.

The lyrics warmly look back on days gone by, mirroring the protagonist Porco’s outlook on life and lending the story a deep afterglow.

This song also carries a heartwarming anecdote in which words from the lyrics inspired the studio’s name.

With its exquisitely beautiful melody line, even a simple accompaniment allows you to fully savor the song’s tender, bittersweet atmosphere.

It’s a piece I highly recommend to anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the story and perform with heartfelt emotion.