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

Fine On The OutsidePriscilla Ahn

Ghibli film “When Marnie Was There” theme song [Fine On The Outside] piano for beginners with Do-Re-Mi subtitles, both hands

Many listeners must have been moved by the crystalline vocals and acoustic resonance.

The theme song for the film “When Marnie Was There” is a deeply personal piece that Priscilla Ahn, its writer, created in 2005 based on her own experiences of loneliness during her girlhood.

While pretending to be fine on the outside, the protagonist Anna quietly carries a sense of isolation, and the song aligns with her feelings beautifully, striking straight to the heart.

The track is also included on the album “Just Know That I Love You.” To convey the bittersweet melody with rich emotion, the key is to begin playing with a soft, delicate touch.

By letting the quiet, hidden feelings surface in the sound, your performance will resonate deeply with listeners.

First workday of the yearHisaishi Joe

[Free Sheet Music] Back to Work Level 2 [Beginner Piano]

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This is an unforgettable piece with a buoyant 4/4 rhythm that plays when the protagonist heads out for her very first job in Kiki’s Delivery Service.

A mandolin-like accompaniment intertwines with a charming, flute-like melody, carrying with it the exhilaration of soaring over European cityscapes and a feeling of hope.

The music captures the thrill of taking a new step, and the melody is so approachable that you’ll find it a joy to perform, as if stepping right into the world of the story.

When you play this piece, cherish a light, skipping rhythm.

As you imagine the heroine flying straight through the sky, add expressive nuance to your sound and perform—an ode that has been loved ever since the film’s 1989 release.

Someone at any timekōryū

[Playable for Beginners] Someone's Always There (Heisei Tanuki War Ponpoko) Easy Piano Arrangement with Do-Re-Mi Notation, Slow Tempo, One-Finger, One-Hand Only, or Both Hands

This is the song that graces the ending of the 1994 film Pom Poko, with a melody that feels nostalgic and warm, resonating in the heart.

The acoustic, borderless sound—featuring instruments like the sanshin banjo—gently envelops the film’s finale.

The piece carries a message of not forgetting the places you hold dear even when you leave your hometown, and a hope that hardships can one day be overcome—echoing the raccoons’ story and touching the heart.

It’s a calm ballad, so the key is to play in a way that lets the melody sing.

Since the melody and accompaniment are clearly defined, it’s perfect for those who want to get used to playing with both hands.

Let the warm chords ring out carefully and try to express the original track’s comforting, embracing feel.

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.