A must-see for anyone who wants to try piano-and-vocal performances through code! From nostalgic oldies to the latest hits, all introduced at once.
“I want to sing cool while playing the piano!” For piano and singing lovers, the admired performance style is called “hikigatari” (singing while accompanying yourself).
There are mainly two ways to do hikigatari: playing while reading sheet music with written accompaniment, and playing while looking at chord symbols indicated by letters.
This time, we’ll introduce recommended songs and sheet music with chords that let you enjoy hikigatari using the latter method—playing while reading chords.
Once you can read chords, even if you can’t read standard notation, you’ll be able to enjoy hikigatari for various songs by understanding keyboard positions and how they sound.
Some of the scores we introduce even include the specific keys to press, so be sure to use them to help with your chord studies.
- [Piano Beginners] J-POP That Looks Hard but Is Surprisingly Playable [2026]
- How to play piano accompaniment using simple chords
- [Super Easy] Piano Sheet Music Beginners Can Play | Available for Immediate Download!
- [Piano Accompaniment Score] A curated selection of recommended sheet music for popular sing-and-play songs!
- [Piano/vocal] Super cool! Recommended songs you can breeze through
- [For Piano Beginners] Let's learn useful chords!
- [Beginner] Recommended for adult piano beginners! Beautiful & stylish piano pieces
- [Children’s Song] Easy Even for Piano Beginners! Introducing Nursery Rhymes with Simple Chords
- Even beginners can play them easily on the piano! A curated selection of popular and latest J-POP songs.
- [Western Music] Challenge Yourself with Piano and Vocals! Introducing Unforgettable Classics with Sheet Music
- [Piano Etudes] Recommended for Beginners! A Curated Selection of Easy, Playable Pieces
- [Piano Sheet Music] Free downloads available! A roundup of easy-to-play pieces
- [Beginner] Start Here: Classic Practice Pieces Recommended for Adult Piano Beginners
A must-see for anyone who wants to try piano-and-vocal performances with code! A roundup from nostalgic hits to the latest tracks (1–10)
I was looking at the moon.Yonezu Kenshi
A song written in June 2023 by the popular artist Kenshi Yonezu as the theme for the hit game FINAL FANTASY XVI.
Created with a deep understanding of the game’s world, the production focused on crafting music for the story.
Throughout the lyrics, it portrays feelings for a precious person who has been lost and a strong bond with a “you” who is far away.
The piano offers a wide expressive range, starting with an intro where emotions slowly build, and featuring dynamic string interventions that feel like more than mere accompaniment.
It’s recommended not only for fans of the game, but also for anyone who wants to be moved by a song that conveys profound love and bittersweet longing.
SubaruTanimura Shinji
“Subaru,” a signature song by Shinji Tanimura released in 1980.
The piece was created as part of his solo work, which he began in parallel with group activities during the peak of Alice—the folk group for which Tanimura served as vocalist.
With its relaxed tempo, memorable melody, and a chord progression that avoids complex harmonies, this song is perfect for those who want to perform classic Showa-era tunes in a sing-and-play style.
Start by holding the bass notes with your left hand and playing block chords in quarter notes with your right hand for a simple accompaniment.
Island SongTHE BOOM
A signature song by THE BOOM that sings of Okinawa’s scenery and the tragedy of war.
It features a beautiful melody that incorporates the Ryukyuan scale and lyrics with deep meaning.
Released in 1992, it became a huge hit, selling over 1.5 million copies.
The song was inspired by vocalist Kazufumi Miyazawa’s experiences during a visit to Okinawa.
Through words that symbolize Okinawa’s natural world—such as “deigo blossoms” and “sugarcane forests”—it expresses the sorrow of war.
When performing it on piano, the key is to play with a relaxed tempo and rich emotion.
Be mindful of the tempo increase in the chorus, and try to preserve the song’s compelling rhythm as you play.
A must-see for anyone who wants to try piano-and-vocal performances with code! A comprehensive showcase from nostalgic classics to the latest hits (11–20)
My WayFuse Akira
My Way, known as one of American pop singer Frank Sinatra’s signature songs, was originally composed in 1967 as a French-language song, then given new English lyrics and became a huge hit.
It has been covered by many artists, including Elvis Presley, and has become beloved around the world.
In Japan, cover versions by Akira Fuse and Kiyohiko Ozaki are especially well known.
The reason such a very simple melody sounds so moving lies in the underlying chord progression.
Be sure to try performing it while savoring the beautiful flow of the harmonies.
Just by you being herekome kome CLUB
Released in 1992, Kome Kome Club’s 13th single achieved an astonishing 2.895 million sales.
Featured as the theme song for the drama “Sugao no Mama de,” which drew attention for the co-starring of Narumi Yasuda and Akina Nakamori, it was also performed at that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, garnering major attention.
Marked by Tatsuya Ishii’s graceful vocals, the song warmly expresses the joy and gratitude brought by the presence of a loved one.
Its simple yet resonant lyrics struck a chord with many people, and it remains beloved across generations to this day.
With a melody well-suited to piano-and-vocal performance, it’s enjoyable even for beginners when using chords.
Bridge Over Troubled WaterSimon&Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel were a folk-rock duo who enjoyed enormous popularity in the United States during the 1960s.
Among the masterpieces they left behind, one song resonates especially deeply—a ballad that sings of hope in overcoming troubled times.
It blends a majestic, gospel-infused sound with lyrics that evoke profound empathy.
Paul Simon described it as a song that “suddenly came from nowhere,” a testament to its inspired origin.
Its chord progression is approachable even for beginners, so give piano-and-vocal performance a try.
The comforting vocals and piano tones are sure to soothe listeners’ hearts.
Carrying YouInoue Azumi
The theme song “Carrying You” from the 1986 film Castle in the Sky is, as everyone knows, a classic Ghibli piece! Beyond being a beautiful song to sing, it’s performed on a wide range of instruments and in various ensembles, and it’s frequently featured in concerts.
While it’s by no means monotonous, its smooth, easy-to-play chord progression makes it perfect for anyone wanting to try their hand at performing a beloved classic.
Even without elaborate accompaniment, simply singing while arpeggiating one chord per measure will capture the mood—so give it a try!