[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!
- Beginner Piano: Carefully Selected Easy and Famous Pieces You Can Play with One Octave
- [Disney] Playable even if you’ve just learned Do-Re-Mi! A selection of iconic songs from beloved Disney animations
- [For Beginners] Recommended Ghibli Masterpieces You’ll Want to Play on the Piano
- Even beginners can play them easily on the piano! A curated selection of popular and latest J-POP songs.
- [Piano Pieces] Easy for Children to Play! A Roundup of Simple Classical Works
- [Anisong] Easy for Piano Beginners! Recommended Practice Pieces
- Disney Classics on Piano: A Curated Selection of Easy Pieces, Perfect for Recitals
- Recommended for piano beginners! 10 sheet music picks that adults can enjoy too
- [Children's Piano Sheet Music] Packed with Familiar Tunes! Introducing Recommended Series
- [Children’s Song] Easy Even for Piano Beginners! Introducing Nursery Rhymes with Simple Chords
- [For Beginners] Enjoy Parent-Child Piano Duets! Recommended Songs Introduced
- [Easy to Play Even If You're Not Good with Both Hands!] Simple piano pieces for absolute beginners. Recommended piano songs.
- [Piano Etudes] Recommended for Beginners! A Curated Selection of Easy, Playable Pieces
[For Kids] Play the Piano with One Finger! Recommended Songs (31–40)
Peter Pan: The Second Star to the RightSammy Fain
A staple even among Disney films, this piece with its graceful melody gorgeously colors a dreamlike story world.
The beautiful star is sung as a guide toward hope, and its heartwarming theme—one that anyone who looks up at the night sky and entrusts their wishes can relate to—leaves a strong impression.
Since the film’s release in February 1953, its striking use in the opening has further enhanced the story’s appeal.
The melody stays within a single octave and can be played with one finger, making it perfect for those just beginning to learn the piano.
Coupled with its world of dreams and adventurous spirit, it’s a song beloved by a wide audience, from children to adults.
Allegro in F major, K. 1c, from Nannerl’s Music BookWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Although composed at the age of five and only 24 measures long in F major, this miniature is full of charm that captivates listeners.
Structured in binary form, it has a bright, lively character with a cheerful atmosphere reminiscent of South German folk dances.
Its approachable length of 24 measures and friendly melodic line are notable, and the piece contains few technically challenging passages, making it easy to take on.
It’s an ideal choice for those just beginning piano studies or becoming comfortable with reading music.
However, by performing it with an awareness of Classical-era elegance and expressiveness, one can cultivate deeper musicality.
Since the melody can be played with a single finger, why not try it as an introduction to classical music?
Light of FirefliesSukottorando min’yō
Let me introduce a Japanese school song based on a traditional Scottish folk tune.
Included in the Shogaku Shoka-shu compiled in Japan in 1881, this piece is often used at graduation ceremonies and as background music at closing time.
Its lyrics symbolically sing of dedication to learning, friendship, and parting; the opening phrase, “Hotaru no hikari, mado no yuki” (light of fireflies, snow by the window), in particular expresses earnest devotion to study.
The melody is simple and easy to remember, and its charm is that even piano beginners can play it with one finger.
It’s also great for practicing with your child or playing a parent–child duet.
This is a perfect piece for anyone who wants to start learning piano in a fun way while experiencing Japanese culture.
School chimeUesutominsutā no Kane
Say, “I can play the piano!” and when you play, your friends are sure to love it! A school chime is made up of just four notes, so you can easily play it with one finger.
Did you know that the familiar chime sound in Japanese schools actually originates from the piece “The Westminster Chimes,” which rings from London’s famous clock tower, Big Ben? It was first played on July 11, 1859.
Surprisingly, it has quite a history, and it even has English lyrics.
If you remember this fun fact along with the melody, you might be able to use it as trivia somewhere someday!
Small WorldRobert Bernard Sherman&Richard M. Sherman
Let me introduce a song packed with Disney charm.
Written and composed by the brothers Robert B.
Sherman and Richard M.
Sherman, this piece was first unveiled at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
Its lyrics, conveying the message that people around the world are connected, leave a strong impression.
With a bright, cheerful melody and simple lyrics, it’s a song that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
It’s also used as the theme song for a Disneyland attraction, so why not try playing it on the piano to experience the world of Disney? If you practice slowly, you can even play it easily with one finger, making it a great choice for piano beginners.
[For Kids] Play the Piano with One Finger! Recommended Songs (41–50)
When the Saints Go Marching Inamerika min’yō
“When the Saints Go Marching In,” which appears in many beginner piano books, can be played using only the five notes from C to G.
Because of this, it’s often performed with each of the five fingers set on those keys, but it also plays smoothly with just one finger.
It’s only 16 measures long, yet its bold melody is very satisfying to play! If you repeat the piece an octave higher, it adds variety and makes the performance more interesting.
Once you’ve mastered the melody, try adding the left hand with a single finger to mark the beat—like ‘do-do-do-do’—to bring out more of the lively march-like feel.
hometownOkanoteiichi
Let me introduce a beloved Japanese classic you can play even with just one finger.
The composer, Teiichi Okano, was born in 1878 in Tottori Prefecture and grew up in poverty, yet he pursued a path in music and left behind many school songs.
This piece is a heartwarming work that sings of deep love and nostalgia for one’s hometown.
With its simple melody and familiar lyrics, it resonates deeply with the Japanese heart.
It’s in triple meter and doesn’t have a wide vocal range, so with a bit of practice even piano beginners should be able to play it quickly.
It’s recommended both for children who’ve just started piano and for adults who want to play a nostalgic tune.
If you play while singing along, practice will be even more enjoyable.
In conclusion
When you start playing the piano, the thrill of being able to play a favorite piece is the same for adults and children alike.
Unless you’re aiming to become a professional pianist, I don’t think there are strict rules like “you must do it this way,” and being able to enjoy the mood of a piece just by playing the melody is the biggest benefit of using a single finger.
Children full of curiosity might get excited just from making sounds.
And it’s not just for kids—if you’re an adult touching a piano for the first time, why not start by practicing with just one finger?