At Playground Sessions we believe the journey on the piano should start with learning to play the piano through the lens of songs that you know and love. This keeps the learning process exciting!

For anyone just starting out, we’ve created two playlists, each featuring 10 easy songs you can learn to play tailored to your skill level. The first playlist consists of songs you can learn to play right away in your first week. Each song is broken down step-by-step by one of Playground’s engaging and personable teachers. This beginner playlist focuses only on playing the melody, so you’ll only need your right hand to get started! Trust us, anyone can play these easy songs. The second playlist requires some experience, but all the songs are easy to play and very accessible. All of our songs come with backing tracks. So, even if you’re only playing a simple melody, the overall musical experience can feel like you’re performing on the big stage!

Ten easy songs to play on the piano with no experience

These songs are popular, recognizable, and most importantly, easy to play even if you’ve
never played a note before. Each of these songs has been carefully chosen for its simplicity
and teachable moments, such as understanding melody and rhythm. With our video tutorials,
you’ll learn how to play each song note by note, gaining confidence and skill along the way.

“Lean on Me” by Bill Withers

• Key: C Major

“Lean on Me” by Bill Withers (right hand melody beginner) video tutorial + sheet music

“Lean on Me” by Bill Withers (both hands beginner) sheet music

“In the End” by Linkin Park

• Key: D minor

“In the End” by Linkin Park (beginner riff) video tutorial + sheet music

“Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis

• Key: C Major

“Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis (right hand melody beginner) video tutorial + sheet music

“Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis (both hands beginner) sheet music

“My Way” by Frank Sinatra

• Key: C Major

“My Way” by Frank Sinatra(right hand melody beginner) video tutorial + sheet music

My Way” by Frank Sinatra (both hands beginner) sheet music

“I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz

• Key: C Major

“I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz (right hand melody beginner) video tutorial + sheet music

“I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz (both hands beginner) sheet music

“Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars

• Key: C Major

“Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars (right hand melody beginner) video tutorial + sheet music

“Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars (both hands beginner) sheet music

“Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty

• Key: C Major

“Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty (right hand melody beginner) video tutorial + sheet music

“Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty (both hands beginner) sheet music

“Every Breath You Take” by The Police

• Key: C Major

“Every Breath You Take” by The Police (right hand melody beginner) video tutorial + sheet music

“Every Breath You Take” by The Police (both hands beginner) sheet music

“Everything I Do, I Do it For You” by Bryan Adams

• Key: C Major

“Everything I Do, I Do it For You” by Bryan Adams (right hand melody beginner) video tutorial + sheet music

“Everything I Do, I Do it For You” by Bryan Adams (both hands beginner) sheet music

“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri

• Key: C Major

“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri (right hand melody beginner) video tutorial + sheet music

“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri (both hands beginner) sheet music

Easy songs to play on the piano with some experience

For those who aren’t pure beginners, we’ve curated a list of 10 amazing and popular songs on the piano that are easy to play if you have some experience. When you first start out, it’s normal to begin by playing with just your right hand and learning how to use the fingering system. With even a bit of experience, you’ll progress to playing with both hands, using chords in your left hand to provide harmony that complements the melody in your right hand.

Similar to our playlist of easy songs you can play on the piano in the first week, each song in this expanded list is also supported by step-by-step video instruction. With Playground Sessions, you’re never alone in your learning journey. Our video tutorials break down each song into manageable steps, making the learning process both effective and fun.

When considering songs for beginners, we look for songs that have simple melodies, straightforward rhythms, and minimal hand movements. This set of songs introduces basic chords, hand coordination, and more intricate melodies, yet they remain very accessible and easy to play on the piano.

“Happy Birthday”

• Key: C Major

“Happy Birthday” (rookie/beginner) video tutorial + sheet music

“Happy Birthday” (intermediate) sheet music

“Fur Elise” (easy version) by Ludwig van Beethoven

• Key: A minor

“Fur Elise” by Ludwig van Beethoven (rookie/beginner) video tutorial + sheet music

“Fur Elise” by Ludwig van Beethoven (intermediate) video tutorial + sheet music

“Fur Elise” by Ludwig van Beethoven (advance) video tutorial + sheet music

“Imagine” by John Lennon

• Key: C Major

“Imagine” by John Lennon (rookie/beginner) video tutorial + sheet music

“Imagine” by John Lennon (intermediate) sheet music

“Imagine” by John Lennon (advanced riff) video tutorial + sheet music

“Lean on Me” by Bill Withers

• Key: C Major

“Lean on Me” by Bill Withers (Intermediate riff) video tutorial + sheet music

“Lean on Me” by Bill Withers (rookie/beginner) video tutorial + sheet music

“Canon in D” (easy version) by Johann Pachelbel

• Key: C Major

“Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel (intermediate) video tutorial + sheet music

“Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel (rookie/beginner) sheet music

“All of Me” by John Legend

• Key: A minor, F minor

“All of Me” by John Legend (rookie/beginner) video tutorial + sheet music

“All of Me” by John Legend (intermediate) sheet music

“All of Me” by John Legend (advanced) sheet music

“Prelude in C Major” (BWV 846) by Johann Sebastian Bach

• Key: C Major

“Prelude in C Major” by Johann Sebastian Bach (rookie/beginner) sheet music

“Prelude in C Major” by Johann Sebastian Bach (intermediate) sheet music

“Prelude in C Major” by Johann Sebastian Bach (intermediate) sheet music

“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri

• Key: C Major

“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri (rookie/beginner) video tutorial + sheet music

“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri (intermediate) sheet music

“Silent Night”

• Key: C Major

“Silent Night” (intermediate easy) video tutorial + sheet music

“Silent Night” (rookie/beginner easy) video tutorial + sheet music

“Someone Like You” by Adele

• Key: A Major

“Someone Like You” by Adele (intermediate) video tutorial + sheet music

“Someone Like You” by Adele (advanced intro riff) video tutorial + sheet music

“Someone Like You” by Adele (rookie/beginner) sheet music

“Someone Like You” by Adele (advanced) sheet music

Play what you love, love what you play

The beauty of learning piano with Playground Sessions is the opportunity to play music that speaks to you from the very beginning. By starting with simple, enjoyable songs, you’re more likely to stay motivated and excited throughout your musical journey. Remember, these foundational skills and songs are just the starting point. As you progress, you’ll discover a world of music awaiting your touch.

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iPhone • iPad • Mac • Windows • Android

Moving forward with confidence

Whether you’re playing your first melody with the right hand or diving into the rich harmonies of two-handed playing, Playground Sessions is here to guide you every step of the way. Our goal is to make learning piano accessible, enjoyable, and rewarding for everyone. By starting with songs you love and gradually building your skills, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can progress.

The post Easy songs to play on the piano appeared first on Playground Sessions Blog.

Sadness is an emotion that is effectively conveyed through the piano. The delicacy of its harmony and dynamics can bring forth a tangible feeling of sadness. Sad piano music listeners and performers can use the energy of the music to feel: Nostalgia, Grief, and Empathy.

Sad songs and piano — a perfect match

Playing sad piano music can be therapeutic. As a beginner, you likely have the desire to accomplish the emotional expression that some of your favorite sad songs accomplish. The question is, where do you start? How can you effectively convey emotion at a beginner level?

Luckily, I have created this list of 10 Sad Piano Songs that are relatively easy for beginners to tackle and begin to develop their ability to express emotion on their instrument. Let’s get started!

1. Yesterday by The Beatles

This is one of the timeless ballads of the mid 20th century. A song about losing a lover, heartbreak, and the feeling of longing for better times with a romantic partner. This song effortlessly presents feelings of sadness. The instrumentation is just an acoustic guitar and string accompaniment. The song translates to piano well, and can be played with ease for beginners.

Yesterday by The Beatles sheet music

2. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day

This is a song about memories, bringing forward the feeling of nostalgia. Similar to Yesterday, the instrumentation is an acoustic guitar and some string accompaniment. It is simple, straightforward, and translates to piano well.

Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day sheet music

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3. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan

This tune is a folk-rock classic. A song about coming to the end of the road, and moving on. It is simple, and like the other selections, is mainly an acoustic guitar driven song- which translates to piano well!

Knockin on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan sheet music

4. Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers

The title alone presents sadness. Bill Withers sings about his woman leaving, and missing his counterpart. The song is sad but the tempo gives it a “moving forward” sound. The piano part perfectly coincides with Withers’ acoustic guitar, to create a groovy, yet melancholy sound.

Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers sheet music

5. Imagine by John Lennon

This song might not seem as sad, but rather hopeful. Right from the iconic piano intro, the listener is brought to the feelings of hope at the forefront of this song. The sadness comes from the lyrics, Lennon singing about what is wrong in the world. But the hopefulness reveals itself in the simple, yet sophisticated piano riff. I recommend all pianists learn this 1970’s classic!

Imagine by John Lennon sheet music

6. Let it Be by The Beatles

This sophisticated tune by McCartney captures a certain feeling of solitude. In the key of C major, it is a simple but convincing piano piece. It is built around delicate chords and melody. It works well with a band, or as a solo piano piece. It is an excellent song for beginners to work on developing their chord shapes, using the white keys.

Let it Be by The Beatles sheet music

7. All of Me by John Legend

This is a beautiful ballad that is filled with feelings of love, loneliness, and longing. The piano part perfectly accompanies Legend’s emotional vocal performance. This is an excellent choice for a beginner to learn, especially for that special someone. An excellent choice for Valentine’s Day.

All of Me by John Legend sheet music

8. Stay With Me by Sam Smith

The title says it all. A song about longing for a lover to stick by your side. The lyrics challenge loneliness. The piano perfectly accompanies the soft spoken vocal part. The vocals are heard in light of vulnerability. The piano intro will help a beginner improve their chordal skills and movement effectively.

Stay With Me by Sam Smith sheet music

9. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd

This guitar ballad is timeless. It builds slowly, and once again presents feelings of longing and nostalgia. This song translated to the piano, actually can make it sound even more sad, delicate, and melancholy. It is in the key of G major, which is an excellent key for beginner players.

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd sheet music

10. Creep by Radiohead

This 90s rock power anthem conveys sadness, but the original recording has a loud, heavy, exorbitant edge to it. When this tune is translated to piano, it is less angsty, and more sad and introspective. The whole tune is built around 4 chords, which will make it a great easy sad piece for a beginner to tackle.

Creep by Radiohead sheet music

Ready to learn some sad piano songs?

Sad music is compelling, comforting, and expressive. The piano is the perfect instrument for conveying this emotion in an effective manner. To improve your emotional expression, try to learn the songs above and other songs in similar light. Keep in mind the lyrics of the songs, and try to play the piano as if you were speaking these vulnerable words. You will be able to improve your playing and your expression simultaneously!

The post 10 sad songs every piano beginner should learn appeared first on Playground Sessions Blog.

That said, finding new and fun piano songs can sometimes feel like a chore. Many online piano lessons offer large libraries of songs to choose from but not everyone has access to these.

So if you’re in the piano-playing mood and looking for some fun songs to play, check out this list of 12 fun piano songs everyone should learn to play.

1. “Fallin’” by Alicia Keys

Fallin’ is from Alicia Keys’ debut album, Songs in A Minor. The song features a piano-driven melody with fun and easy-to-play ascending and descending runs. The whole song is essentially two chords: Em and Bm7 – but what makes this song special is what Alicia does with her right hand. 

You don’t need need to be an expert to play this relatively easy song on piano however it will take some practice to get right. 

Alicia Keys is without a doubt a talented pianist and vocalist so if you want to try your hand at both playing and singing Fallin’, consider taking some vocal lessons to help you get there.

2. “Vienna” by Billy Joel

Billy Joel’s song Vienna is a beautiful ballad that celebrates the city of Vienna and its rich history and culture. When the song starts, it is immediately recognizable thanks to the quick triplets that slightly somber tone. Joel is an incredible pianist and this song features many chord changes. That being said, the slow tempo of the song makes it easier to stay in control of the melody and is a super fun piano song to play. 

3. “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis

Great Balls of Fire is a classic rock and roll song written by Otis Blackwell and Jackhammer Moore. It was first recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis in 1957, and it quickly became one of his signature tunes. The song is built around a simple, catchy piano riff and Lewis’ signature wild vocals. 

If you play Great Balls of Fire with even half of the energy Jerry Lee Lewis does, there’s no doubt you’ll be having a blast.

4. “Crocodile Rock” by Elton John

Crocodile Rock was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. If you’re looking for a fun piano song to play at parties or family get together’s this one will definitely be a hit. Crocodile Rock takes some initial practice to get the right and left handwork down properly but the rhythm stays pretty consistent throughout the song so once you get the hang of it you should be able to keep up with the flow of this fun piano song.

5. “Let it Be” by The Beatles

The Beatles were one of the most successful and influential bands of all time, and Let it Be is one of their most iconic songs. Let it Be is one of those easy piano songs that sound complicated and most listeners are pretty impressed whenever they hear someone play it. Let it Be is a timeless classic that continues to inspire people all over the world.

6. “The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby

Bruce Hornsby’s song “The Way It Is” is an ode to overcoming adversity and achieving success. The piano intro to this song is among one of the most memorable and fun to play piano parts ever. The verses are made up of an easy to follow 5-chord progression while the chorus brings in a little more right-hand work. Furthermore, if you’re looking for a real challenge try your hand at the piano solo. 

Overall, Bruce Hornsby’s signature piano style and soulful vocals make “The Way It Is” a timeless classic.

7. “Somebody to Love” by Queen

Somebody To Love was written by lead singer Freddie Mercury and released on the band’s 1976 album A Day at the Races. If you’re a fan of anthem rock and doing quick chords changes you’ll no doubt find this one fun to play.

8. “Cold Heart” by Elton John and Dua Lipa

Cold Heart is a song by Elton John and Dua Lipa and produced by Pnau. It has an 80’s disco beat to it and combines the lyrics of Elton’s songs Cold Cold Heart and Rocket Man. It’s the catchy bass line, driving kick drum, and subtle synth melodies that make this one so fun to play.

9. “Breakfast in America” by Supertramp

Breakfast In America is a classic pop song by the band Supertramp. With its catchy melodies, mellow rhythm, and medium tempo it is an instantly infectious tune. The piano sections in this song are easy, fun to play, and also sound great.  So if you’re looking for a fun piano song check out this rock classic.

10. “Hold the Line” by Toto

Hold the Line is a classic rock song with a fast-paced piano melody. If you’re looking for a bit more of a challenge and would like to test your speed skills, Hold the Line if a great option to try out.

11. “American Pie” by Don McLean

If you’re looking to test your piano playing endurance then Don Mclean’s American Pie is a 8-minute long song you shouldn’t miss. Not only is it filled with fast chord progressions and trills, but also a very catchy melody that you’ll find yourself humming for days after listening to it. It’s a fun piano song to play and a great choice to show off your skills, but also requires some serious stamina!

12. “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers

Lean on Me is perhaps one of the greatest sing along songs every created. Its easy to play melody and simple lyrics make it perfect for beginning piano players. It’s also an instant hit when you’re with friends and family and are looking for a fun song to sing together.

Conclusion

Whether you are just starting out on the piano or  are an experienced player, there is something for everyone on this list of 12 fun piano songs. So why not take some time to learn one or more of these great tunes? They are sure to bring you hours of enjoyment!

So what are you waiting for? Grab your piano, pull up a chair, and start playing one of these fun songs today!

Try the Playground Sessions app

Free 7-day trial

Get the App

iPhone • iPad • Mac • Windows • Android

The post 12 fun piano songs everyone should learn to play appeared first on Playground Sessions Blog.

“Believer” by Imagine Dragons has a unique meter

The meter, or time signature, is pretty unique, so it presented a great opportunity for me to teach something new. First off, depending on how you look at it, this song really can be written/felt in two different ways. Here, for my arrangement for Playground Sessions, I decided to write it in 6/8, but it could also be felt in 4/4. Here is the main difference:

In 4/4, this song would have a TON of triplets. Pretty much in every single measure of the entire song. And arguably, that would have been a more accurate way to write this. But since we’re talking about an intermediate level arrangement, I didn’t want to overwhelm a student before they even played a note by presenting notation that looked near impossible, stocked full of quick triplets.

So in 4/4, the left hand part in the verse would’ve looked very complicated. But in 6/8, the same exact part can look much more simple. In other words, a group of three 8th-note-triplets in 4/4 time signature is exactly the same as a group of 3 regular 8th notes in 6/8 (so long as the tempo changes between the two are accounted for).

SO. To summarize, I felt this was a great lesson on rhythm, specifically duple vs. triple feel. But whichever way you decide to feel it, whether it’s 4/4 or 6/8, the part is awesome and super fun to play

Wide-ranging right hand melody

All rhythmic talk aside, I just love the range of this melody and it offers a fairly challenging lesson in hand position movement. Half way through the verse melody, we jump up an octave, then we jump right back down. Definitely practice that jump out of context and without the left hand for a while before putting the hands together on this one!

So dive in! Make sure to watch the video while you’re at your piano or keyboard so you can play along with me as I guide you through the lesson. And don’t forget to hit subscribe so you don’t miss any other YouTube videos lessons… I’m now doing 2 new videos a week, EVERY WEEK!

Now it’s your turn to play “Believer” by Imagine Dragons

If you love using your favorite songs to learn the piano, check out ‘Believer’ by Imagine Dragons at the Playground Sessions YouTube channel. If you like what you see you can download our app to learn the rest of this song with our interactive sheet music.

Subscribe to Playground’s YouTube channel for more song lesson videos.
Download the Playground Sessions piano learning app for full interactive learning.
Thinking about learning piano? Read our complete guide on how to play piano.

The post How to play “Believer” by Imagine Dragons on piano appeared first on Playground Sessions Blog.

It’s an unwritten law that all Katy Perry fans should learn how to play “Firework” by Katy Perry on piano. This tune is a classic pop song with an awesome dynamic build. It has great energy and tempo, and the melody has a slow build ascension that will leave you feeling uplifted! And not just because the lyrics are so positive and inspiring. I love playing this specific arrangement for a few reasons:

1. “Firework” by Katy Perry’s left hand rhythmic pattern

This is a common approach to playing a left hand chord with some driving rhythm: “1 and 2, 3 and 4.:” It’s almost a full 8th note pattern where we are playing on every strong beat and every up beat, but we do not play on the and of 2 or the and of 4. The resulting effect is that beat 2 and beat 4 feel much stronger because we land on them more definitively. One and TWO. Three and FOUR. 

And there’s another thing that makes 2 and 4 feel stronger, and that is the highest note of each chord outline falls on those strong beats. So we’ve covered what is happening rhythmically, but let’s talk a little about what is happening harmonically: We start with the root in the low octave on beats 1 and 3. The following weak beats, or “upbeats” have the 5th of the chord. And what’s next (beats 2 and 4) are the root again but an octave higher. So we have what I call a “1-5-1” pattern, where we outline the root, fifth, and root again of a given chord.

Beats 2 and 4 are typically where the snare drum or hand claps fall in 4/4, especially in pop, rock, and dance music, so this is a great lesson on grooving with a driving rhythm in the left hand.

2. Syncopations in the right hand on top of the left hand pattern

To make matters more complicated (and therefore more challenging and hopefully therefore more rewarding!), while the left hand is playing its steady driving rhythms, the right hand floats higher above with a somewhat syncopated melody. We have a few instances where the melody ties over the bar line. Meanwhile, the left hand plays a strong beat 1 (see measure 2 and 4 of the selection).

We also have instances where the right hand melody is grouped in rhythmic groupings of 3 8th notes, instead of 2 or 4 like the left hand’s part. What I mean by that is, if we look at measure 6, we see a dotted quarter note (which we know gets three 8th notes), then we see an 8th note tied to a quarter note (which is the same as a dotted quarter note: another grouping of three 8th notes). This is not necessarily difficult to play on its own. However, it’s tricky when put on top of a left hand part rhythmically rooted in groupings of 2’s and 4’s. This is a fantastic lesson on rhythm, subdivision, and syncopations!

Now it’s your turn to play “Firework” by Katy Perry

So dive in! Make sure to watch the video while you’re at your piano or keyboard so you can play along with me as I guide you through the lesson. And don’t forget to hit subscribe so you don’t miss any other YouTube videos lessons. I’m now doing 2 new videos a week, EVERY WEEK!

If you love using your favorite songs to learn the piano, check out “Firework”  at the Playground Sessions YouTube channel. If you like what you see you can download our app to learn the rest of this song with our interactive sheet music.

Subscribe to Playground’s YouTube channel for more song lesson videos.
Download the Playground Sessions piano learning app for full interactive learning.
Thinking about learning piano? Read our complete guide on how to play piano.

The post How to play “Firework” by Katy Perry on piano appeared first on Playground Sessions Blog.

Today I’m going to talk about why I think you should learn how to play “Treat You Better” by Shawn Mendes on piano. “Treat You Better” is a modern pop song in its purest form. The progression and the melody are straightforward and accessible. That is a formula for a winning lesson for beginners! So I chose to feature our rookie level arrangement in my YouTube lesson, and I did so for a few more specific reasons:

1. The melody Is rhythmically approachable

But in terms of hand positions, there is a change towards the end of this passage! But that’s ok, we don’t want things to be too easy. The balance of accessibility and challenge in this melody is perfect for a beginner level player looking for a something to test their skills. The majority of the melody is spent in one hand position, and the change comes only for the final measure. But luckily, we have an entire measure of rest before that new position comes, so we have plenty of time to move and get ready for the new position, which is a few notes higher than where we’ve been. 

2. Step-wise left hand part

The left hand part in the majority of our rookie level arrangements tend to be single notes, and are mostly roots of chords. But that doesn’t mean they are always easy, and it definitely doesn’t always mean the notes are next to each other in the scale. But here we have a super friendly left hand part where each note is one note away from the last. This is also known as “Step-wise motion” and it allows us to quickly get this part down so we can focus on the right hand and putting the hands together. 

Now it’s your turn to play “Treat You Better” by Shawn Mendes

So dive in! Make sure to watch the video while you’re at your piano or keyboard so you can play along with me as I guide you through the lesson. And don’t forget to hit subscribe so you don’t miss any other YouTube videos lessons… I’m now doing 2 new videos a week, EVERY WEEK!

If you love using your favorite songs to learn the piano, check out ‘Treat You Better’ at the Playground Sessions YouTube channel.

If you like what you see you can download our app to learn the rest of this song with our interactive sheet music.

Subscribe to Playground’s YouTube channel for more song lesson videos.
Download the Playground Sessions piano learning app for full interactive learning.
Thinking about learning piano? Read our complete guide on how to play piano.

The post How to play “Treat You Better” by Shawn Mendes on piano appeared first on Playground Sessions Blog.

Arguably one of the best Disney soundtracks of all time! I’m very pleased to have been able to arrange and produce a video lesson on this one. Here are a few reasons why, musically, I love it so much as a learning tool:

1. Beautiful harmonic progression!

The chord progression in this is great, and it moves beautifully with the melody. Halfway through we see a dominant 7th chord that is not usually in this major key (we call this a “borrowed harmony”) and that chord allows us to land in a very satisfying way on the 4 chord. I’m talking about a C7 chord which has a Bb in it, but we’re in the key of C which usually doesn’t have any accidentals. And the C7 chord is the 5 chord in the key of F major right? Well, the reason it feels so good to land on the following F major chord is because we’ve borrowed that key’s 5 chord, and the 5-to-1 progression is always the most satisfying resolution. So even within the key of C, we can temporarily stray over to the key of F just for two chords (C7 to F), then we can come back to the key of C with a G7 chord (which of course is the 5 chord in the key of C). Beautiful!

2. Interesting melodic intervals and gestures

There are a few great moments in this melody where we should really take note of the arc. If we think of this melody as being made up of gestures instead of notes, we can trace many ups and downs that are playful and resemble the natural arc of, say, breathing. In other words, there are some grand sweeps of ascending notes followed by descending notes or drops in wide intervals. Take the first phrase for example, in measures 1 and 2. We fly up with E, G, B, C and then immediately drop down by an interval of a 5th to an F. There are a few other instances like this. When we can as composers, we want to mimic the natural flow of things when we’re trying to create a melody that is beautiful. This one is truly worth studying deeper!

So dive in! Make sure to watch the video while you’re at your piano or keyboard so you can play along with me as I guide you through the lesson. And don’t forget to hit subscribe so you don’t miss any other YouTube videos lessons… I’m now doing 2 new videos a week, EVERY WEEK!

If you love using your favorite songs to learn the piano, check out ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ at the Playground Sessions YouTube channel.

If you like what you see you can download our app to learn the rest of this song with our interactive sheet music.

Subscribe to Playground’s YouTube channel for more song lesson videos.
Download the Playground Sessions piano learning app for full interactive learning.
Thinking about learning piano? Read our complete guide on how to play piano.

The post How To play the “Beauty and the Beast” theme on piano appeared first on Playground Sessions Blog.

There is no denying how ridiculously fun it is to play “Jump” by Van Halen on piano (it’s also a great song to play on drums). I think we can all agree that “Jump” (especially the main synth riff) has made its way into the hall of fame of “best parts to play on the piano or keyboard.” The great news is that in our intermediate level arrangement make it easier than ever to learn to play “Jump.” Now you can have all the piano rock glory without needing to be an advanced player! Here’s what I love about this song and why I wanted to make a lesson video for it:

1. The syncopations and “hemiolas”

That may be a new term for some of you, so let me explain…

“Hemiola” refers to a rhythmic device in which we see notes that, on their own, suggest a certain time signature or meter that is different than what the actual song is written in. In other words, the melody for this passage in rhythmically grouped most of the time in groups of three 8th notes. That alone, played out of the context of the song, might suggest that we are in a triple meter. However, we know that this song is in a strong 4/4, and that is even more apparent when we have the drums playing behind us in the backing track. So we have a syncopated part that suggests a triple meter, on top of a strong rock beat in duple meter.

Let the rhythmic challenge begin!

Luckily the left hand part isn’t playing 8th notes, and instead holding whole notes. However, if you want to really test your skills, check out the “Advanced” arrangement in the app.

2. Great use of “sus” chords

Even though they go by really quickly, the chords at the end of each of the phrases in this passage are crucial to this song’s identity. When I say “sus,” I’m referring to a suspended resolution. This usually appears in the form of a major chord that has the 4th or 2nd scale degree instead of the 3rd. It is a little more open harmonically because the 3rd of a chord is one of the most defining notes in a chord, and when it is omitted that chord’s definition is a little more ambiguous. And we see two “sus” chords in a row here! It’s a great lesson on sus chords and getting your hand used to the odd shapes that they can sometimes have.

So dive in and play “Jump!” Be sure to watch the video while you’re at your piano or keyboard so you can play along with me as I guide you through the lesson. And don’t forget to hit “subscribe” so you don’t miss any other YouTube videos lessons – I’m now doing 2 new videos a week, EVERY WEEK!

Now it’s your turn to play “Jump” by Van Halen

If you love using your favorite songs to learn the piano, check out “Jump” by Van Halen at the Playground Sessions YouTube channel. 

If you like what you see you can download our app to learn the rest of this song with our interactive sheet music.

Subscribe to Playground’s YouTube channel for more song lesson videos.
Download the Playground Sessions piano learning app for full interactive learning.
Thinking about learning piano? Read our complete guide on how to play piano.

The post How to play “Jump” by Van Halen on piano appeared first on Playground Sessions Blog.

It might be impossible to watch Jurassic Park and not have the “Jurassic Park Main Theme” by John Williams stuck in your head. I grew up with the original Jurassic Park movie and I would whistle this theme all the time. I have such powerful feelings of nostalgia surrounding the song and movie in general. That’s why it was a blast to tackle this one! But beyond the fond memories, the song itself, with its melody and harmonic progression, is so beautiful and timeless. Here are a few musical reasons I really wanted to bring this one to you guys:

1. Chromatic play in the melody

The melody, and specifically the most iconic moment of the melody (arguably the beginning of the first measure of this passage), simply outlines the tonic, then the leading tone, then back to the tonic. Honestly it doesn’t get more simple than that, but the way in which John Williams played with and harmonized that theme is masterful. Later towards the end of this passage, we see the same idea, but this time outlining the 4 (from Eb down to D and back up… In the key of Eb that would be the tonic, leading tone, tonic). A great study on simple melodies, which can often be the most profound and powerful.

2. Extended cadenza ending

A truly dramatic and cinematic approach to ending a phrase. Williams extends the ending of this passage across 3-4 measures! Here’s a good lesson on patience and taking your time while still playing in time. 

So dive in! Make sure to watch the video while you’re at your piano or keyboard so you can play along with me as I guide you through the lesson. And don’t forget to hit subscribe so you don’t miss any other YouTube videos lessons… I’m now doing 2 new videos a week, EVERY WEEK!

Now it’s your turn to play “Jurassic Park Main Theme”

If you love using your favorite songs to learn the piano, check out “Jurassic Park Main Theme” by John Williams at the Playground Sessions YouTube channel.

If you like what you see you can download our app to learn the rest of this song with our interactive sheet music.

Subscribe to Playground’s YouTube channel for more song lesson videos.
Download the Playground Sessions piano learning app for full interactive learning.
Thinking about learning piano? Read our complete guide on how to play piano.

The post How to play “Jurassic Park Main Theme” by John Williams on piano appeared first on Playground Sessions Blog.

Who doesn’t want to learn how to play “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey on piano?!

Yes, I know that it might be considered “overplayed.” But does that mean it’s any less fun to play on piano? Definitely not! Here are a few musical reasons I chose to bring this song arrangement to the masses:

1. Great left hand melody

One of the most iconic and recognizable riff melodies ever! I’d recommend playing this MANY times before adding the right hand — not only because it’s great practice to start with hands separately, but also because it’s a blast to play on repeat.

2. Awesome both-hand syncopation practice

That left hand part is pretty syncopated in the sense that it rarely plays a note on the downbeat of a measure. Instead, we most often see a note from the previous measure tied over the bar line. The fun (and challenging) part is putting the hands together for this section. The right hand is very straightforward 8th notes and always on the downbeat. So, you have a great toggle pattern within the right hand part, but you also have a fun toggle pattern between the hands as you switch to each new measure. 

Playing this classic is purely addicting! I recommend that you try and play the “Don’t Stop Believing” chords and notes on YouTube with me. Afterwards, you should try finishing it out in the Playground Sessions app. When you’re done at the intermediate level, you have to try the Advanced!

Now it’s your turn to play “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey

If you love using your favorite songs to learn the piano, check out “Dont Stop Believing” at the Playground Sessions YouTube channel. 

If you like what you see you can download our app to learn the rest of this song with our interactive sheet music.

Subscribe to Playground’s YouTube channel for more song lesson videos.
Download the Playground Sessions piano learning app for full interactive learning.
Thinking about learning piano? Read our complete guide on how to play piano.

The post How to play “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey on piano appeared first on Playground Sessions Blog.