[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 (11–20)
FamilyMart Entrance Chime, Melody Chime No. 1 in D major, Op. 17, from “Great Prosperity”Yasushi Inada
The FamilyMart door chime is a great song for one-finger playing, as it can be performed using only five notes within a single octave: C, F, G, A, and the higher C.
Since it’s a tune heard in convenience stores, it’s a melody children are likely to find familiar.
If it’s your first time trying a keyboard instrument, start by placing removable stickers on the keys to mark them while you practice; once you’ve got a feel for the positions and the distances when moving between notes, try playing without the markers.
If you perform it at school, you might even become the star of your class!
Yobikomi-kun BGM “No. 4”Gunma Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
The memory-type audio POP device “Yobikomi-kun,” sold by Gunma Denki Co., Ltd.
The product name alone might not ring a bell, but if you watch the video… yes, it’s that melody played at the discount emporium Don Quijote! Kids have probably heard it when shopping with their families, so it’s recommended that adults first play it as an example.
Once the child exclaims, “It’s the Donki song!” and shows interest, that’s a great time to start practicing.
It also sounds fun to practice at home and then go to the store to hear the real thing.
A Cruel Angel’s ThesisSatou Hidetoshi
Among anime songs, the hugely popular “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” consistently ranks near the top in karaoke charts.
Even children who haven’t watched the anime often know the song.
Since the notes Mi, La, and Si (E, A, and B) take flats, be careful when sight-reading.
If you have trouble navigating the black keys, one option—though it slightly changes the feel—is to transpose it to A minor so you can play without black keys.
Ultimately, it’d be great to master the dynamic, exhilarating melody in the original key for a cool, confident performance!
Kirby Super Star: “Gourmet Race”Ishikawa Jun
Let’s try playing the background music from the game “Kirby” with just one finger! It’s an exciting melody not only for kids who love games, but also for adults who played Kirby almost every day when they were little.
The rhythm is intricate, and the range is a bit wide for one-finger playing, so start by slowing down the tempo and practicing carefully.
Once you get used to it, gradually pick up the pace while making sure the rhythm doesn’t fall apart.
After you master this piece, you might feel inspired to recreate other game tunes on the piano too.
Let It Go ~As I Am~Robert Lopez
The theme song of Disney’s worldwide smash hit Frozen, “Let It Go ~Ari no Mama de~.” It’s such a lovely piece that just hearing the melody brings the film’s iconic scenes vividly to mind, so give it a try with one finger.
In the section leading up to the chorus, you’ll encounter phrases that seem repetitive but subtly change in rhythm and note order.
By practicing with those small differences in mind, that moving melody will come back to life!
Ponyo on the CliffHisaishi Joe
The theme song of Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, the adventure story of Ponyo, a fish girl who wishes to become human, and Sosuke, a human boy, features a bright, rhythmic melody that’s irresistible! Since the film’s release in July 2008, this Ghibli classic has continued to be loved by children along with the movie itself.
Because it includes intricate rhythms and leaps, if it’s difficult to play with a single finger in one hand, we recommend splitting the range and playing with one finger from each hand.
Picture Ponyo’s cute character and her warm bond with Sosuke, and perform with a light, lively touch.
[For Kids] Play the Piano with One Finger! Recommended Songs (21–30)
The Bear of the Forestamerika min’yō
This nursery rhyme that everyone knows is originally an American folk song.
The lyrics, depicting a curious bear who wants to see what lies beyond the mountain, are especially memorable.
The melody is simple and easy to learn, making it popular with a wide range of ages, from children to adults.
You can even play it with one finger, so it’s great for piano beginners.
It might be fun to sing it with your child or try a duet.
It’s said that Bing Crosby included it on an album in 1961 as well.
The song also has an educational side, teaching the importance of inquiry and curiosity.
Why not enjoy it with your family?