[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 (21–30)
strollHisaishi Joe
How about trying to play on the piano the theme song from a Studio Ghibli film, composed by one of Japan’s leading composers? Known for its bright and cheerful melody, this piece is hugely popular with children.
Its lyrics capture the joy of taking a walk, and the rhythmic style leaves a strong impression.
It was released in 1988 as part of the film’s soundtrack.
It has also been used in educational settings and has been included in elementary school music textbooks since 1996.
One advantage of the piano is that you can appreciate the charm of the piece even by playing the melody with a single finger.
To start, give it a try just for fun.
If you have some piano experience, playing a duet with your child can be a delightful option!
Merry Christmas, Mr. LawrenceSakamoto Ryuichi
Merry Christmas, Mr.
Lawrence, the signature piece by Ryuichi Sakamoto—one of Japan’s most renowned composers who left behind many works—is a masterpiece beloved across generations.
Many adults even start practicing piano with the goal of being able to play this song.
Its repeated, simple, and wistful melody is very striking.
Because it uses many repetitions of the same motif, it’s also relatively easy to memorize.
If you first organize the score—thinking, for example, “this phrase and that phrase use the same notes”—and then begin practicing, you’ll likely be able to play through the entire piece more smoothly.
Children all over the worldNakagawa Hirotaka
I’d like to introduce a song by Hirotaka Nakagawa, who has created many pieces for children.
This song is about how the sky and the sea laugh and cry along when children around the world laugh and cry.
With its gentle melody and lyrics, it’s a wonderful piece that gives children dreams and hope.
It’s even included in elementary school music textbooks.
One of the great things about the piano is that you can appreciate the charm of the piece just by playing the melody with one finger.
Pay attention to the dotted-eighth and sixteenth-note rhythm.
Why not sing and play it together with the children? I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time.
Toy Cha-Cha-ChaKoshibe Nobuyoshi
“Toy Cha-Cha-Cha,” which moves back and forth from middle C up to the C an octave higher, has a friendly, easy-to-remember melody, yet it also includes chromatic passages that use black keys—something not often seen in pieces found in beginner-level books.
For children tackling their first piece that uses black keys, it might feel like a fun little level-up! As they compare how the sounds differ from the white keys, they can enjoy the charm of how the notes move and have fun playing along.
DoraemonHoshino Gen
Gen Hoshino’s “Doraemon,” which drew attention as the theme song for the film Doraemon: Nobita’s Treasure Island, is a memorable track that combines a uniquely observed take on Doraemon’s world with Hoshino’s characteristically poppy, lighthearted melody.
Because it repeats many of the same phrases and doesn’t have a very wide vocal range, it should be approachable even with one finger! First, practice slowly while paying close attention to the distinctive rhythm.
Rather than trying to read the rhythm, it may be easier to capture it by humming along and playing to the song.
Mickey Mouse MarchJimmie Dodd
The ever-popular “Mickey Mouse March” among children! This piece uses a lot of stepwise motion, moving to neighboring notes, which makes the fingerings easy to learn and allows it to be played even with one finger.
Encourage practice with prompts like, “Next is the neighboring note,” or “Now let’s go down step by step to the lower notes.” Once they get used to it, try recreating the light, bouncy rhythm as well! It’s helpful to convey the feel through imagery rather than note values, for example: “Play as if you’re skipping along, all cheerful and bouncy!”
The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP
With its friendly melody and emotionally resonant lyrics, SMAP’s smash hit “The Only Flower in the World” leaves a lasting impression.
Because the song has a relatively narrow vocal range and repeats similar rhythms and melodies, you can comfortably follow and play the melody line even with a single finger.
Start by practicing slowly to capture the notes, and once you’ve learned your way around the keys, try adding rhythm to match the lyrics.
If you add a simple accompaniment, you’ll be able to enjoy playing even more while capturing the feel of the original track!