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

Representative, Elysion Philharmonic Orchestrasai-kisaragi
Heisei College of Music, Composition Course. Studied composition and conducting under Keizo Ideta, piano under Chinami Kira, and arts management under Takuma Konishi. With a focus on community and music, I work to revitalize my hometown of Saga Prefecture. While performing as a double bassist with wind ensembles and orchestras across Kyushu, I participated on double bass in the “Orchestra Without Borders” orchestra camp of the professional game and anime music ensemble Eminence Orchestra, held in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture in September 2012. During CAPCOM’s Kyushu Tour in 2016, I not only performed as an orchestra member but also served on the production staff. I currently serve as the managing representative for the game and anime performance groups Elysion Philharmonic Orchestra (Saga Prefecture) and Fukuoka Game Music Wind Orchestra (Fukuoka Prefecture), and handle conducting, arranging, and public relations.
Graduated from a music school / 21 years of piano experiencesatomi
I began playing the piano at the age of four and spent six years at a conservatory, focusing mainly on classical music while honing my skills. In addition to solo performance, I studied extensively in chamber music and two-piano repertoire, and I had the opportunity to perform twice on stage as a soloist in piano concertos. While not to the same extent as classical, I also learned jazz and pop through practical performance. I was active as a pianist in various settings, including instrumental and vocal/choral accompaniment, performance assistance for other departments, and recording sessions. Beyond the piano, I devoted five years to the trombone in a wind ensemble. I hope to draw on these experiences to share the charm of music with many people.

Studio Ghibli has produced numerous animated films that represent Japan.

Alongside their moving stories, many unforgettable songs have been born.

Not only the theme and insert songs, but also the background music that plays throughout the films is memorable, and many people may find themselves recalling the music together with iconic scenes—and perhaps wanting to try playing it on the piano at least once.

Many pieces from Studio Ghibli’s works are perfectly suited to the piano.

In this article, we introduce Ghibli pieces recommended for piano beginners.

Start your piano journey with your favorite song!

[For Beginners] Recommended Ghibli Masterpieces to Play on the Piano (41–50)

A Wizard of Earthsea

Teru’s SongTeshima Aoi / Taniyama Hiroko

From Ghibli’s Tales from Earthsea: “Therru’s Song” [Piano Beginner · Easy]

Teru's SongTeshima Aoi / Taniyama Hiroko

The theme song from the film Tales from Earthsea, which begins with Aoi Teshima’s a cappella part.

Many listeners were surely captivated by the sheer beauty of her opening voice.

Built on a simple, repeating melody, it’s easy to memorize and a great piece for beginners to tackle.

Once you can play the melodic line beautifully and smoothly, you could say the piece is practically complete! After you’ve firmly mastered the right hand, start adding the left-hand bass notes.

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From Up on Poppy Hill

Summer of Goodbye ~From Up on Poppy Hill~Teshima Aoi / Sakata Koichi / Marimura Yukiko

[Beginner-Friendly] The Summer of Goodbye ~ From Up on Poppy Hill ~ (Aoi Teshima) Easy Piano Arrangement with Do-Re-Mi Notation, Slow Tempo, One-Finger, One-Hand Only, or Both Hands

Summer of Goodbye ~From Up on Poppy Hill~Teshima Aoi / Sakata Koichi / Marimura Yukiko

Watch “Summer of Goodbye ~From Up on Poppy Hill~ Teshima Aoi / Koichi Sakata / Yukiko Marimura” on YouTube

This song is a cover of Ryoko Moriyama’s 1976 release “The Summer of Farewells,” and is also known as the theme song for the film “From Up on Poppy Hill.” Many people likely remember Aoi Teshima’s heartrending and delicate vocals.

Since the original features piano accompaniment, it’s easy to imagine playing it on the piano, making it approachable even for beginners.

As you play, keep the beautiful melodic line in mind, build up the chorus, and add chords with the left hand to give it more depth—try these touches to bring your performance closer to the feel of the original.

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In conclusion

I’ve introduced some Studio Ghibli pieces that I recommend for piano beginners.

The joy of playing Ghibli music on the piano is truly special.

With simplified arrangements, even beginners can more easily fulfill their wish to try playing these songs.

One of the great things about Ghibli works is how they let you relive movie scenes through music.

Why not try weaving that same emotion from your own fingertips, accompanied by the sound of the piano? Start with a song tied to a cherished memory and gradually expand your repertoire—you’ll surely discover a new way to enjoy music.