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

Round Dance of the Sunflower HouseHisaishi Joe

[Beginner-Friendly] Rondo of the House of Sunflowers (Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea - Studio Ghibli) Easy Piano Arrangement with Do-Re-Mi Notation, Slow Tempo, One-Finger, Right-Hand Only, or Both Hands

This piece, inspired by the “House of Sunflowers” that appears in the film Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, features a tender, compassionate melody that resonates with the heart.

Included on the album Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea: Image Album released in March 2008, the track gently portrays the calm everyday life at the twilight of one’s years and the bittersweet wishes quietly held within it.

Its beautiful rondeau-like motif and clear, pure vocals warmly embrace the profound theme of the brilliance of life.

When playing it on the piano, try to spin the notes as if singing the melody, with a sense of care and affection.

Deeply connected to the story, this work is perfect for those who want to take their time and play a beautiful piece with heartfelt emotion.

Hanyu no YadoInguranndo min’yō

Hanyu no Yado – Piano – Grave of the Fireflies – Ghibli

http://www.amazon.co.jp

An insert song from Studio Ghibli’s film “Grave of the Fireflies,” whose gentle, faintly nostalgic melody sinks deeply into the heart.

Ever since the film’s 1988 release, many people may remember it as the music that plays in scenes symbolizing the days the brother and sister spent together.

The song’s theme—“No matter how humble the house, home is best”—is deeply intertwined with the story, softly speaking of a longing for the lost calm and a tender love for family.

Because of its relaxed tempo, playing without haste and cherishing each note leads to a beautiful resonance.

If you perform while imagining the story woven into the melody, it will surely reach the listener’s heart.

Main themehoshikatsu

Only Yesterday, Main Theme, Beginner, Print Sheet Music, Arranged by Chiharu Kawada, Piano, omoide poroporo, main theme

http://www.print-gakufu.com

This is the music from the film Only Yesterday that evokes memories from long ago, as if they spring vividly to life in the protagonist’s heart.

Released in July 1991, the film uses this beautiful melody to accompany the inner landscapes of a 27-year-old woman as she recalls her 10-year-old self.

Featured on the album Only Yesterday Original Soundtrack, the piece is characterized by a quiet, nostalgic tone centered on piano arpeggios.

With its relaxed tempo and gentle movement, it’s approachable even for those new to the piano.

Cherish the clear, shimmering resonance—as if fragments of memory are sparkling—and play each note with care.

Love is a flower, and you are its seed.Amanda McBroom

[Beginner-Friendly] The Rose (Only Yesterday) – Easy Piano Arrangement with Do-Re-Mi Notes, Slow Tempo, One-Finger, Right-Hand Only, or Both Hands

Many people were likely moved by the deeply resonant vocals that play over the ending of the film “Only Yesterday.” The song is widely known through Bette Midler’s performance and won a Golden Globe in 1980.

While comparing love to harsh things like a river and a knife, it ultimately portrays it as a hopeful flower—a truly wonderful, universal message.

The melody line is exceptionally beautiful, so even with simple accompaniment, you can fully savor the warm world the piece embodies.

The key is a relaxed tempo, playing the melody with tenderness.

By putting your heart into each and every note, you’ll create a rich performance that resonates deeply with listeners.

Someone at any timekōryū

[Playable for Beginners] Someone's Always There (Heisei Tanuki War Ponpoko) Easy Piano Arrangement with Do-Re-Mi Notation, Slow Tempo, One-Finger, One-Hand Only, or Both Hands

This is the song that graces the ending of the 1994 film Pom Poko, with a melody that feels nostalgic and warm, resonating in the heart.

The acoustic, borderless sound—featuring instruments like the sanshin banjo—gently envelops the film’s finale.

The piece carries a message of not forgetting the places you hold dear even when you leave your hometown, and a hope that hardships can one day be overcome—echoing the raccoons’ story and touching the heart.

It’s a calm ballad, so the key is to play in a way that lets the melody sing.

Since the melody and accompaniment are clearly defined, it’s perfect for those who want to get used to playing with both hands.

Let the warm chords ring out carefully and try to express the original track’s comforting, embracing feel.

Fine On The OutsidePriscilla Ahn

Ghibli film “When Marnie Was There” theme song [Fine On The Outside] piano for beginners with Do-Re-Mi subtitles, both hands

Many listeners must have been moved by the crystalline vocals and acoustic resonance.

The theme song for the film “When Marnie Was There” is a deeply personal piece that Priscilla Ahn, its writer, created in 2005 based on her own experiences of loneliness during her girlhood.

While pretending to be fine on the outside, the protagonist Anna quietly carries a sense of isolation, and the song aligns with her feelings beautifully, striking straight to the heart.

The track is also included on the album “Just Know That I Love You.” To convey the bittersweet melody with rich emotion, the key is to begin playing with a soft, delicate touch.

By letting the quiet, hidden feelings surface in the sound, your performance will resonate deeply with listeners.

The Pigeon and the BoyHisaishi Joe

Pigeons and the Boy (Easy Piano · Pazu’s Trumpet) Slow · Beginner Practice · Introductory Tutorial

This piece used in Studio Ghibli’s classic Castle in the Sky (Laputa) was composed by Joe Hisaishi.

It’s included on the film’s image album, and in the movie, the scene where the protagonist Pazu plays the trumpet is especially memorable.

You can feel the influence of minimal music that blends elements of classical and film music, giving it a brilliant flair.

Since the original features a single melodic line played by trumpet, simply tracing the melody with your right hand alone will bring you much closer to the original.

Once you’re comfortable, add the left hand to make your performance even more dazzling!