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[For Kids] Play Piano with One Finger! Recommended Songs Collection
Playing the piano is demanding and difficult—you’re asked to use both hands and your feet on the pedals, which gets pretty complex.
But that’s only because such instructions are written in the sheet music.
It’s perfectly fine to play the piano with one hand, or even with a single finger! One of the piano’s advantages is that even just playing the melody with one finger lets you enjoy a bit of the piece’s charm.
In this article, we introduce recommended songs that “can be played with one finger,” aimed at young children so they can start by simply having fun with the piano.
Of course, adults who want to give the piano a try are welcome to use this as a guide as well.
And if you have some piano experience, it can be great fun for parent and child to play a duet—have your child play the melody while you provide the accompaniment!
[For Kids] Play the Piano with One Finger! Recommended Songs (1–10)
Dragon Quest ‘Overture’sugiyama kouichi
One of the most iconic pieces among the Dragon Quest game BGM! It’s frequently performed at wind ensemble and orchestral concerts, and it captivates many people—not just game fans.
The grand sound that evokes a world of adventure is a major draw, but even the melody by itself is enough to stir excitement.
Because it uses many stepwise motions to neighboring notes, it should be approachable even with a single finger.
Play the opening fanfare at a relaxed, stately tempo, and then take the main melody a little forward-leaning; the contrast will bring out a more compelling performance.
Happy Jam JamKashihara Nobuhiko
Here’s a recommended song that kids can play with just one finger: “Happy Jam Jam.” It’s a popular ending theme from the TV anime “Shima Shima Tora no Shimajirō,” based on the well-loved Kodomo Challenge series, and it even has accompanying dances.
Children who watch Shimajirō will likely get excited by this song.
In the video being introduced, you can see the hand movements and the keyboard positions, and the note names are kindly written in katakana.
Children who can’t read music yet will enjoy playing it together with a parent or guardian who can read sheet music.
butterflySupein min’yō
Let me introduce a nursery rhyme that’s popular with children.
Its original melody comes from an old German nursery song, and in Japan it’s set to lyrics that describe a butterfly fluttering from flower to flower.
The melody is simple and easy to remember, and a key point is that you can play it with just one finger.
Ever since it was included in the Elementary School Song Collection published by the Ministry of Education in 1881, it has been loved for many years.
It’s a song that both children and adults can enjoy, so it’s also recommended for anyone who wants to try the piano.
If you play a duet with a parent and child, practicing becomes even more fun.
Because the tune is gentle, if you keep practicing in a relaxed way, you’ll surely be able to play it in no time.
100% CourageMakaino Kōji
The opening theme song of the anime Nintama Rantarō, “Yuuki 100%,” is a hugely popular track among children and has been performed by various artists.
It’s frequently sung at nursery schools, kindergartens, and elementary schools, so many kids are likely familiar with it.
While the rhythm may sound intricate and the melody challenging, it actually contains many stepwise passages that move to neighboring notes, making it approachable even for children with limited piano experience.
Practice carefully at a slow pace, following the notes one by one, and gradually increase the tempo.
Super Mario “Overworld BGM” – Slow ver.Koji Kondo
When it comes to Nintendo’s most iconic game character, isn’t it Mario? From the game music that both parents are sure to know—Super Mario Bros.—I’d like to introduce the “Overworld Theme,” which can be played with one finger.
The hallmark of this piece is its cheerful blend of Latin and jazz-like rhythms, and although it’s Mario’s signature theme, the opening notes are very simple: “E E–E, C E–G.” The next phrases continue with melodies built from “C–G–E” and “C–E–G,” which is part of why it feels so familiar.
After that, some chromatic notes appear, but it’s best if a parent carefully teaches the finger positions and the resulting sounds—especially on the black keys—and plays along together.
Detective Conan Main ThemeŌno Katsuo
The main theme from the anime Detective Conan, which captivates audiences of all ages! Just hearing a single phrase likely brings Conan’s famous line, “There’s only one truth!” to mind for many people.
With its sharp rhythm and sense of speed, it can feel like a challenging piece, but if you slowly follow just the melody, you’ll be able to play it with a single finger without losing the feel of the song.
Try guiding finger movements with easy-to-picture cues like, “Next, we’re making a big jump,” or, “We’re zigzagging down like stairs.”
Anpanman MarchMiki Takashi
Ever since the anime first aired in 1988, Anpanman—the hero loved by all—has continued to be adored by children.
The opening theme song, “Anpanman March,” is also consistently popular.
Its familiar, oft-heard melody is easy to play on the piano.
It’s a perfect piece for children who love Anpanman and are glued to the anime every day to try! Because many sections feature stepwise rising notes and repeated melodic patterns, it’s effective to point out the similarities—like saying, “This part and that part are alike”—while practicing to reinforce the common elements.