[Children’s Song] Easy Even for Piano Beginners! Introducing Nursery Rhymes with Simple Chords
Familiar nursery rhymes that everyone sang at least once in childhood.
With simple melodies, easy-to-remember lyrics, and straightforward chords, nursery rhymes are perfect for piano beginners to practice! So this time, we’re introducing easy, playable nursery rhymes recommended for children who have just started piano lessons and adults who are beginning to learn on their own.
We’ve selected songs that meet the following conditions: a relatively narrow range, few notes in the melody, and simple chords.
Give them a try!
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[Children’s Songs] Easy Even for Piano Beginners! Introducing Nursery Rhymes with Simple Chords (11–20)
Come, fireflyMonbushō shōka
A classic song from the Ministry of Education’s songbook, long cherished as a children’s tune for luring gently glowing insects on summer nights.
Ever since it appeared in the March 1941 textbook “Utanohon, Volume 1,” it has been passed down across generations.
Its hallmark features are the repeated, call-and-response-like short phrases and the nostalgic sound of the Japanese pentatonic scale—making it a delightfully approachable piece even for those just starting piano.
Because the melody uses few notes and is easy to memorize, it’s simple to focus on finger movement, making it perfect as a first step into two-handed playing.
Once you’re comfortable, try performing it in a round, with the right and left hands chasing the melody in turn.
Picture a cool, serene scene and play with a gentle touch.
FlowerTaki Rentarō
A masterpiece of Japanese art song by Rentaro Taki, its flowing melody—evoking the warmth of spring—lingers in the heart.
Published in November 1900 as the first piece in the song collection “The Four Seasons,” it is also warmly cherished as a beloved community song in Sumida City, Tokyo.
With lyrics depicting the beautiful spring scenery of the Sumida River and a graceful, dignified melody, it carries a gentle spring breeze to the listener.
The simple chord progression that highlights the beauty of the melody is perfect for beginners at the piano and adult learners returning to the keyboard after a break.
By playing expressively, as if singing, over an accompaniment that flows like a river, you can naturally develop smooth finger movement and expressive control while enjoying the process.
Under the big chestnut treeIgirisu min’yō
The children’s song “Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree,” also popular as a hand-play song, is a great choice for piano beginners thanks to its simple melody and easy chords! The melody stays within a single octave, and with a simple arrangement you can play it using just three chords, making it ideal not only for kids who have just started piano lessons but also for adult learners.
Experiencing the joy of playing a familiar tune with your own two hands will boost your motivation to sit down at the piano even more!
Song of the FrogDoitsu min’yō
With its easy-to-remember melody that children can quickly learn to sing, “Kaeru no Uta” is a perfect nursery rhyme for beginner piano practice.
There are several possible chord progressions, but if you want the simplest arrangement, it can actually be played with just a single chord.
For example, in the key of C major, you can use only a C chord; simply play the bass note “Do” (C) in half notes or whole notes, and you’ve got a complete two-hand performance.
Start by trying it with one finger in the left hand and a simple pattern in the right hand!
Dog PolicemanDaichi Omi
Dog Policeman is a charming children’s song with lyrics that tell a cute story: a police dog, at his wits’ end while trying to help a lost kitten, struggles along while asking crows and sparrows for help.
The melody, which perfectly matches the lyrical world, is memorable.
Because both the melody and chords have considerable movement, it’s not exactly “super easy,” but it’s packed with important elements that piano beginners should master, such as spreading the fingers, playing precise, fine rhythms, and accurately hitting the black keys.
It might be a good idea to practice a few children’s songs and gain some experience playing with both hands before taking on this one.
Close It, Open ItJean-Jacques Rousseau
“Musunde Hiraite” is a children’s song with Japanese lyrics set to a melody composed by the French thinker Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
With its friendly tune and cute lyrics that can be sung while doing hand motions, it’s a big favorite among children.
The melody spans less than an octave, and it uses only three chords! Because it doesn’t take long to learn, it’s an ideal practice piece for those who want to get used to playing with both hands by repeating it.
Once you can play the bass and melody together, try practicing with a variety of accompaniment patterns.
[Children's Songs] Easy for Piano Beginners! Introducing Simple-Chord Nursery Rhymes (21–30)
The Bear of the Forestamerika min’yō
The children’s song Mori no Kuma-san, with its charming melody and story-like lyrics, captures kids’ hearts and doesn’t let go.
Built on a melody that fits within a single octave and a simple, easy-to-remember chord progression, it’s also recommended as a practice piece for beginner pianists.
Plus, since the song has five verses and the syllable counts differ among them, the rhythm changes slightly as well, allowing you to experience various rhythmic patterns within a single piece.
Start by practicing the familiar first verse version; once you can smoothly play it with both hands, try adjusting the melody’s rhythm to match the lyrics.