![[With Piano Sheet Music] Try Gen Hoshino’s smash-hit song!](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/aFmu1C9G7wI/maxresdefault.webp)
Gen Hoshino, beloved for his gentle singing voice, heartfelt lyrics, and unique personality.
This time, we’re carefully selecting from his hit songs the ones that are perfect for piano performance and introducing them to you.
We’re not only sharing performance videos but also providing downloadable sheet music, so you can start practicing right away!
“Just listening to his voice makes me happy, but it sounds fun to play the songs myself!” “Since I’ve started playing the piano, I want to try pieces by my favorite, Gen Hoshino!” If that’s you, be sure to use this as a guide!
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[With Piano Sheet Music] Challenge Gen Hoshino’s mega-hit songs! (1–10)
IdeaHoshino Gen
A song written as the theme for the 2018 NHK morning drama series “Half, Blue,” starring Mei Nagano.
Its bright, gentle melody is pleasing to the ear and fills the heart with warmth.
The lyrics, in Hoshino Gen’s distinctive language, beautifully express the many emotions we feel in everyday life, and another charm of the piece is the sprinkling of rhythmic phrases that pair well with the piano’s timbre.
Make the most of the piano’s crisp, granular tone—something the human voice doesn’t have—and aim for a clear sound in your performance.
Friend ShipHoshino Gen
Despite its upbeat melody, Friend Ship features slightly sentimental lyrics that dwell on friends who have gone their separate ways.
Included on the 2015 album YELLOW DANCER, the song was chosen as the theme for the film Moriyamachu Driving School.
While some passages call for subtle nuance in tone, the overall tempo is relaxed, making it relatively easy to play.
Since it also has elements of dance music, once you’re comfortable performing it, try to bring out a solid sense of groove.
POP VIRUSHoshino Gen
A number that’s quintessentially Gen Hoshino, who loves playing with sounds: “Pop Virus.” It’s included on the 2018 album POP VIRUS.
The shuffle rhythm feels great, and the more you play it, the more fun it becomes.
That said, the subtle rhythmic nuances can be tricky, so practice while paying close attention to the placement of rests and the length of each note.
Since the song features Hoshino’s distinctive phrasing, it’s recommended to practice while closely checking the feel of the original track.
SUNHoshino Gen
A song written as the theme for the 2015 TV drama “Kokoro ga Pokitto ne,” starring Sadao Abe.
With Gen Hoshino’s characteristically bright and gentle vocals and moving lyrics, it’s a captivating track beloved by listeners of all ages.
Play the impactful intro with clear tones, brightly and brilliantly.
Once the vocals would enter, try expressing a pop feel on the piano by making use of dotted rhythms and staccato.
If you can create moments where the air seems to pause for an instant during rests, you’ll evoke the original song’s vibe even more.
Week EndHoshino Gen
“Week End” is marked by an irresistibly catchy, upbeat melody that makes your body move.
Included on the 2015 album “YELLOW DANCER,” the song was used as the theme for the TV information program “Mezamashi Doyoubi.” Its lyrics, which carry a bright message about envisioning a fun future starting from the weekend, make your heart dance together with the lively tune.
Be careful to lock into the groove and capture the rhythm firmly—those frequent, tight rests can be tricky.
But once you can play it, it’s an incredibly fun piece, so definitely give it a joyful try!
DoraemonHoshino Gen
A song written as the theme for the 2018 film Doraemon: Nobita’s Treasure Island.
Its lyrics, which convey the world of Doraemon in words characteristic of Gen Hoshino, are moving; the melody is poppy and light; and the vocals are powerful yet gentle—altogether making a memorable track.
With many repeated rhythms and phrases and a relatively narrow vocal range, it’s also fairly approachable to play on the piano.
If you clearly distinguish between the smoothly connected passages and the spots where rests drop in after staccato notes as if the music stops suddenly, you’ll capture the pop feel glimpsed in the original.
filmHoshino Gen
You can savor Gen Hoshino’s gentle, slightly wistful vibe in “Film.” Released in 2012, the song was used as the theme for the film “The Woodsman and the Rain.” The lyrics convey a warm message: even when you go through hard times, something enjoyable is surely waiting afterward.
With a relaxed tempo and a melody that isn’t too difficult, it’s a relatively approachable song to try.
Just pay a bit of attention to the presence or absence of flats and sharps here and there, and to how you feel the rhythm right before the chorus.