A roundup of bands featuring piano [Rock / Jazz / Ballad]
Some rock bands have members who play piano or keyboards, and they perform songs where the piano’s tone really stands out! There are also plenty of bands in genres other than rock that feature piano.
In this article, we’ll introduce bands that include piano in their lineup.
If you love songs with prominent piano, we hope you’ll find a new favorite band.
We also hope this is helpful for those of you in cover bands that include piano or keyboards.
Let’s dive in!
- It’s so cool if you can play these on the piano! A selection of irresistibly charming masterpieces.
- [Piano × J-POP] Tearjerker! A Selection of Moving/Touching Songs
- Recommended songs for beginner bands: simple and crowd-pleasing tracks.
- [Piano × Guitar] A roundup of perfect songs for sessions
- A masterpiece piano ballad
- From beautiful piano rock to intense loud rock! Bands with cool keyboards and synths.
- [Piano/vocal] Super cool! Recommended songs you can breeze through
- A roundup of bands featuring piano [Rock / Jazz / Ballad]
- [Piano Duet × J-POP] A showcase of insanely cool piano duet arrangements all at once
- Masterpieces of Japanese fusion—From nostalgic classics to recent recommendations—
- Cool band: A rock band that represents Japan
- The Allure of the Keyboard: A Collection of Piano Vocaloid Songs
- Jazz Piano Masterpieces: From Classic Essentials to Contemporary Favorites
Bands Featuring Piano [Rock / Jazz / Ballad] (11–20)
You idiot!HOWL BE QUIET
HOWL BE QUIET is a piano rock band formed in 2010, primarily by high school classmates.
When the band started, Kota Takenawa, who handles vocals, was a singer-guitarist, but one day he tried playing the piano at a rehearsal studio and it just clicked, so he has performed on piano ever since.
Their range of piano sounds is broad—from songs with memorable piano phrases like Stain from their 2021 EP Rekidai no Nakama-iri to more orthodox piano ballads like Bakayarou, their 2022 digital single.
Tokaido MegalopolisSANOVA
Sachi Horie is one of Japan’s leading pianists.
The project team she launched to create piano-centered music is called SANOVA.
SANOVA produces tracks that incorporate a variety of genres, including Latin music and R&B.
For those who don’t know SANOVA, a great song to start with is Tokaido Megalopolis.
It’s characterized by an ultra–high-speed melody that fully showcases Sachi Horie’s piano skills.
The difficulty level is on the higher side, but if you perform it, you’re sure to earn instant respect.
AndersonTesura wa nakanai.
When talking about rock bands with a piano, you can’t leave out Tesla wa Nakanai.
In fact, they originally didn’t have a pianist; it was only after Momoko Iino joined in 2011 that they developed their current style.
Among their songs, Anderson is one that always gets the crowd going at live shows.
It’s a fast-paced track built around a piano-driven melody, and its uplifting lyrics naturally raise your spirits.
Be sure to check out not only their CDs but also their powerful live performance videos.
Close My EyesFAT PROP
FAT PROP is a band from Kagoshima formed in 2002.
They made their major debut in 2008 and have even performed alongside MAN WITH A MISSION.
Based on a cool rock sound with flowing melodies and striking guitar riffs, they showcase a wide range of colors from pop to jazzy tunes.
The dancing piano by Tomohiro Imabeppu, the vocalist who also handles keyboards, is especially exciting—like in the outro of “Close My Eyes.” Their emotional appeal really stands out, and they’re recommended for fans of artists like Straightener and ELLEGARDEN!
Ghost in the FlowersYorushika
Yorushika is a duo consisting of vocalist suis and guitarist n-buna.
They have many songs distinguished by their piano timbre, such as “Harudorobo” and “Dakara Boku wa Ongaku wo Yameta,” both of which are colored by striking piano arpeggio phrases.
Pianist/keyboardist Tetsuya Hirahata participates as a supporting performer, and he has been involved since their first album, Dakara Boku wa Ongaku wo Yameta, released in 2019.
In the opening of the 2020 single “Hana ni Bourei,” the interplay of piano arpeggios with the vocals also expresses Yorushika’s signature sound.
Because of the summerRADWIMPS
Since their major debut in 2006, RADWIMPS have released numerous hit songs.
Building on the deeply philosophical lyrics that had earned them support since their indie days, they’re a band that also combines catchiness and broad popular appeal.
They showcase their strength as a rock act in tracks like Zenzenzense—the theme song for the film Your Name, which became a massive hit—and Oshakashama, known for its overwhelmingly cool performance.
Another hallmark is the abundance of songs featuring piano, even though the band has no fixed member on piano; vocalist Yojiro Noda often takes on the piano parts himself.
Due to family circumstances he initially stepped away from the instrument, but a growing desire to play it live drove him to practice intensely.
Be sure to experience the piano’s allure in poignant mid-tempo numbers like Natsu no Sei and Uruubito, which sink deep into the heart.
Bands with Piano: A Compilation [Rock, Jazz, Ballad] (21–30)
SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism
The ballad “Subtitle” by Official HIGE DANDism captured many hearts with its beautiful melody.
The song became a major topic as the theme for the drama “silent,” starring Ren Meguro and Haruna Kawaguchi.
Its poignant yet beautiful melody pairs exceptionally well with the sound of the piano.
However, to grasp the complex harmonies that create its moving sound, solid performance technique and a deep understanding of the piece are essential.
Keep listening to the original track repeatedly to grasp its world, while mastering the key changes and rhythms.
In conclusion
We introduced a wide range of bands and artists that feature the piano prominently. There were various specialties, from piano-driven rock tracks to tear-jerking ballads and jazz-influenced pieces. If you’re a listener who wants to hear piano-forward songs, try finding a band with the vibe you like. And if you’re looking for songs to perform with your band, find a piece you’d love to play!