[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!
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[For Kids] Play the Piano with One Finger! Recommended Songs (1–10)
Kiki’s Delivery Service “A Town with an Ocean View”Hisaishi Joe
The theme song “A Town with an Ocean View” from Studio Ghibli’s masterpiece Kiki’s Delivery Service draws attention every time it’s rebroadcast on TV.
It’s a refreshing and beautiful piece that conjures up an ocean town scented with sea breeze right before your eyes.
This piece is often performed at piano recitals—let’s try playing it with one finger! The range isn’t very wide, but it includes many leaps, so practice by breaking it into small segments like “E–C,” “E–B,” and “D–F–A–C,” training your hand to memorize the span.
Another key point is to keep the rhythm tight so it doesn’t turn slack.
My Neighbor TotoroHisaishi Joe
The ending theme of Studio Ghibli’s classic My Neighbor Totoro is a hugely popular piece among children and is often performed at piano recitals! If you’re playing it for the first time with one finger, a C major version that doesn’t use the black keys is recommended.
This song contains many places where the melody “jumps” over wider intervals to the next note.
When playing with one finger, moving between notes can take time and it’s harder to aim accurately for the next key, so at first it may help to put stickers with note names or marks on the keyboard while practicing.
Wish Upon a StarLeigh Harline
Let me introduce a wonderful song from Disney’s classic film Pinocchio.
It’s a work by film music master Leigh Harline and won an Academy Award in 1940.
The melody is simple, but the lyrics about dreams and hope really resonate.
It’s a popular song used in Disney theme parks, so if everyone sings it together, it’s sure to be a hit! If you’re playing it on the piano, I recommend playing the melody with your right hand and adding a simple accompaniment with your left.
You can enjoy it even with just one finger, so be sure to add it to your repertoire!
[For Kids] Play the Piano with One Finger! Recommended Songs (11–20)
Marigoldaimyon
Aimyon’s “Marigold” is a classic love song beloved across generations! Its simple, unforgettable melody is truly appealing.
In the original key, C and F are sharp, so be careful not to miss them when playing with one finger.
Pop songs are often thought to have complicated, difficult rhythms, but if it’s a melody that’s soaked into your body from listening many times, you might be surprised how smoothly you can play it by practicing while humming along.
If an adult is sitting beside a child to practice, be sure to sing together too.
PythagoraSwitchKurihara Masami
NHK’s popular children’s program “PythagoraSwitch.” Many kids can’t take their eyes off the cleverly designed contraptions that work out exactly as calculated.
This theme song from the show is also a big favorite among children and is often played on the melodica and recorder.
To play the excitement-filled melody with one finger, it’s essential to keep dotted rhythms accurately.
A recommended practice method is to first learn the rhythm by clapping your hands, then move on to the keyboard.
Carrying YouHisaishi Joe
The theme song of Studio Ghibli’s classic Castle in the Sky, “Carrying You,” is a masterpiece with a beautiful melody that captivates people of all ages.
It’s even included in music textbooks used in elementary schools.
Because it’s a gentle piece, you can take your time and play it even with just one finger.
The key to conveying the original song’s wistful atmosphere lies in the long notes.
It’s easy to focus on the more intricate passages, but by firmly sustaining the notes that last three or four beats until just before you play the next note, you can avoid rushing and achieve a clean performance.
Be sure to pay attention to this point.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons ‘Main Theme’Todaka Ikusei
The main theme of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is sure to tempt any game-loving child to give it a try.
Let’s recreate its adventurous melody with just one finger! Because the middle section inserted between the opening phrases changes significantly in tone, first master the repeated opening phrase, then move on to practicing the section with many accidentals.
It’s exciting to play the music from a game you were absorbed in, isn’t it? Once you’ve mastered Animal Crossing, be sure to challenge yourself with other game music too.