[Piano Etudes] Recommended for Beginners! A Curated Selection of Easy, Playable Pieces

Le Tombeau de Couperin, No. 2: FugueMaurice Ravel

Collard plays Ravel ‘Le Tombeau de Couperin’ – 2. Fugue

Maurice Ravel’s suite Le Tombeau de Couperin was imbued with a sense of remembrance for friends who perished in World War I.

This work, which is the second movement of the suite, was premiered in April 1919 and dedicated to Lieutenant Jean Cruppi.

It is the only fugue Ravel ever composed, with three voices quietly overlapping as if in dialogue.

It seems to speak not only of sorrow, but also of gentle memories of friends now gone.

Within its classical formal beauty, Ravel’s characteristic shimmering sonorities melt together, enveloping the piece in a mysterious sense of weightlessness.

The entire suite was also staged as a ballet.

The key is to let each voice sing its melody with care while maintaining an overall transparency.

It’s a captivating piece through which one can learn both Baroque style and the delicate expression of Impressionism at the same time.

Arrietty’s SongCecile Corbel

Cécile Corbel “Arrietty’s Song” The Secret World of Arrietty [How to Play on Piano – Absolutely Playable Even for Beginners!] Level ☆

Many people have surely been captivated by Cécile Corbel’s translucent voice and the magical sound of her harp! The theme song from the film “The Secret World of Arrietty” features a beautiful melody and a relaxed tempo, making it easy to perform.

The work is also known for winning the Tokyo Anime Award for Music in 2011.

The lyrics seem to embody the earnest feelings of the tiny protagonist and a way of life in harmony with nature.

To recreate this delicate worldview, the key is to play lightly and fluidly, like harp arpeggios.

If you aim for a whisper-soft, gentle tone, you can achieve a highly polished performance even with fewer notes.

Hanyu no YadoInguranndo min’yō

Hanyu no Yado – Piano – Grave of the Fireflies – Ghibli

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An insert song from Studio Ghibli’s film “Grave of the Fireflies,” whose gentle, faintly nostalgic melody sinks deeply into the heart.

Ever since the film’s 1988 release, many people may remember it as the music that plays in scenes symbolizing the days the brother and sister spent together.

The song’s theme—“No matter how humble the house, home is best”—is deeply intertwined with the story, softly speaking of a longing for the lost calm and a tender love for family.

Because of its relaxed tempo, playing without haste and cherishing each note leads to a beautiful resonance.

If you perform while imagining the story woven into the melody, it will surely reach the listener’s heart.

The River of That DayHisaishi Joe

Joe Hisaishi - “One Summer’s Day” [Absolutely Playable Even for Beginners! How to Play on Piano] Level: ☆☆☆

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This piece, from the film “Spirited Away,” leaves a lasting impression with its quiet, nostalgic melody that symbolizes the shifting emotions of the protagonist.

The gentle, unhurried piano timbre evokes a bittersweet yet warm feeling, as if recalling past memories or something precious.

In fact, this work was originally a song with vocals, included on the album “Spirited Away: Image Album” released in April 2001, and in the film it was used in an arrangement centered on the piano.

It has been loved beyond the framework of the movie, serving as background music for TV programs and stage productions as well.

It’s a perfect piece for those who want to play as if cherishing each note and weaving a story.

Aim for careful sound production that highlights the beauty of the melody, and try performing while picturing the scenes in your mind!

Round Dance of the Sunflower HouseHisaishi Joe

[Beginner-Friendly] Rondo of the House of Sunflowers (Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea - Studio Ghibli) Easy Piano Arrangement with Do-Re-Mi Notation, Slow Tempo, One-Finger, Right-Hand Only, or Both Hands

This piece, inspired by the “House of Sunflowers” that appears in the film Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, features a tender, compassionate melody that resonates with the heart.

Included on the album Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea: Image Album released in March 2008, the track gently portrays the calm everyday life at the twilight of one’s years and the bittersweet wishes quietly held within it.

Its beautiful rondeau-like motif and clear, pure vocals warmly embrace the profound theme of the brilliance of life.

When playing it on the piano, try to spin the notes as if singing the melody, with a sense of care and affection.

Deeply connected to the story, this work is perfect for those who want to take their time and play a beautiful piece with heartfelt emotion.

againHisaishi Joe

Again – from Studio Ghibli’s film “Spirited Away” – Piano – Level ★★★☆☆ – Beginner to Intermediate

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It’s a grand and beautiful piece that plays during the climactic, dreamlike flying scene in the film Spirited Away.

Beginning with a quiet melody and gradually building in emotion, it evokes the hope that lies beyond hardship and the strong bonds with those we hold dear.

A later version with lyrics also exists, expressing a bittersweet yet warm longing for reunion.

This piece was included on the album Spirited Away Soundtrack, released in July 2001.

It’s a perfect choice for those who want to bring this sweeping world to life with their own hands.

As you recall the story’s moving moments, aim for a performance that richly shapes dynamics and stirs the hearts of listeners.

CatbusHisaishi Joe

[Piano Beginner] Catbus Level 2 [Free Sheet Music]

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It’s a lively, dynamic piece that brings to mind the scene in the film My Neighbor Totoro where Satsuki and Mei ride a mysterious creature through the night sky.

The song first appeared on the album My Neighbor Totoro Image Song Collection, released in November 1987, and its charm lies in a light, catchy feel that children naturally hum along to.

The fantastical, bouncing melody seems to capture the excitement of setting out on an adventure.

The tempo is fast, and coordinating both hands with a springy touch may take some practice, but start by playing the melody with one hand as if you’re humming it.

Once your fingers get used to it, try both hands with the feeling of dashing lightly ahead!