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

If I’m wrapped in kindnessMatsutōya Yumi

[Kiki's Delivery Service] Wrapped in Kindness / Yumi Arai (Yumi Matsutoya) With Do-Re-Mi Sheet Music and Lyrics Beginner-Friendly Slow and Easy Piano Theme Song Easy Piano Tutorial Ghibli Elementary Level

This is a song by Yumi Arai, well-known as the ending theme of the film Kiki’s Delivery Service.

Its simple, nostalgic melody makes you want to hum along—so charming, isn’t it? Because the left-hand range is narrow and it’s easy to focus on the right hand, it’s a great piece for piano beginners who aren’t yet used to playing with both hands.

Once you’ve mastered the right-hand melody, try adding just the left-hand bass notes—one note per measure—and when you’re comfortable, challenge yourself with versions that add accompaniment patterns to the left hand.

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Promise of the WorldKimura Yumi / Tanikawa Shuntarō

[For Beginners] Howl’s Moving Castle “The Promise of the World” Piano

This piece is known as the theme song of Studio Ghibli’s masterpiece Howl’s Moving Castle.

The music was composed by Yumi Kimura, with lyrics by the poet Shuntaro Tanikawa.

Yumi Kimura is a singer and composer famed for her distinctive singing-and-playing style using the lyre, and she came into the spotlight in 2001 with Always With Me, the theme song for Spirited Away.

Centered on the theme of parting from a loved one, this work features a gentle melody and tender lyrics.

With its simple instrumentation and moving words, it has deeply touched many listeners.

It’s highly recommended for those who want to play a calm and beautiful piece.

The Legend of AshitakaHisaishi Joe

[Beginner-Friendly] Ashitaka and San (Princess Mononoke) Easy Piano Arrangement with Do-Re-Mi Notes • Slow Tempo • One-Finger • One-Hand Only • Also for Both Hands • Sheet Music Available

Composed by Joe Hisaishi, this piece is included on the soundtrack of the film Princess Mononoke.

It serves as the main theme symbolizing the protagonist Ashitaka’s strong resolve and inner conflict, characterized by grand orchestration.

Blending elements of classical and folk music, it musically expresses the theme of the clash between nature and humanity.

Evoking the image of a forest just by listening, the piece takes on a different charm when played on the piano.

The tempo is relaxed and there are no difficult rhythms, making it a great recommendation for beginners at the piano.

Give it a try and practice it!

My Neighbor TotoroInoue Azumi / Hisaishi Joe

My Neighbor Totoro (Tonari no Totoro) Easy Piano - Slow - Beginner Practice Tutorial

The ending theme of the film My Neighbor Totoro conjures up images of the Catbus carrying Totoro, Satsuki, and Mei racing across a starry sky.

Alongside “Sanpo,” it’s one of the most popular Ghibli songs.

Phrases where the melody’s notes cross over bar lines may make two-handed playing feel a bit challenging, but if you practice with a simple left-hand accompaniment, it should be easier to grasp the rhythm in your right hand.

Be sure to count carefully as you play so you don’t rush through the parts where notes are held for a long time.

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Ashitaka and SanHisaishi Joe

Ashitaka and San (Piano · Easy Arrangement for Beginners) Princess Mononoke ashitakatosan/mononokehime

A classic piece by Joe Hisaishi, one of Japan’s most renowned composers, serves as an insert song in the film Princess Mononoke.

Released in July 1997, the film features Hisaishi’s delicate melodies that portray the relationship between nature and humanity.

Beginning with a gentle piano and gradually unfolding into a grand orchestral arrangement, the piece vividly expresses the film’s themes of coexistence with nature and human conflict through music.

Its lyrical melody also symbolizes the complex relationship between the protagonist, Ashitaka, and the heroine, San, resonating deeply with listeners.

Why not try playing this piece on the piano, which beautifully colors the film’s climactic scenes?

Nausicaä RequiemHisaishi Joe

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

This piece, created by Joe Hisaishi, one of Japan’s leading composers, was used as an insert song in the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, specifically in the scene where a young Nausicaä appears.

Its distinctive melody is striking, and it is sung by Hisaishi’s daughter, Mai, whose pure voice imbues the entire film with deep emotion.

With a minimalist structure that conveys both melancholy and composure, the piece perfectly matches the film’s atmosphere.

It’s also recommended for those who want to try not only bright or beautiful piano pieces but also pieces with a slightly unique mood.

Country RoadYoko Honna / Taffy Nivert / John Denver / Bill Danoff

[Beginner-friendly] Country Roads (Whisper of the Heart) Easy Piano Arrangement with Do-Re-Mi Notes, Slow Tempo, One-Finger, Right/Left Hand Only, or Both Hands

“Country Roads” is popular not only among pianists but also beginners of various instruments like the flute and violin.

Many of you may want to be able to play its nostalgic, soothing melody on the piano.

Since the left hand simply keeps the rhythm within a narrow range, once you master the right hand’s rhythm and leaps, coordinating both hands will progress more smoothly than you might expect.

After you get a feel for hands-together playing using sheet music with fewer left-hand notes, actively challenge yourself with arrangements that add more rhythmic elements!

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