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Introducing some piano songs for kids is a great way to get your child excited about learning the piano. Like any instrument, your child can start learning the piano at any age. However, starting at a tender age helps them learn faster and perform relatively better. With diligent practice sessions, their understanding of music will enhance over time. Besides, their language skills will also improve since music and language have a deep correlation.
Additionally, finding the right tune, which is easy to learn and play, may not come easy for every beginner. A piano lover and blogger named Calm Instrumentals shares how her beginner journey was not as smooth as she would have liked. She says, “You have finally decided to start your piano journey, but there is a roadblock: you have no songs to practice with. That was one of the biggest and most recurring problems I had when I tried to develop my skills. Most of the songs recommended for beginners to master did not really resonate with me, or I just did not care for the way they sounded (i).”
To ensure your child does not face the same problem, this post shares some easy songs children can learn to play on the piano to understand the instrument’s nuances. So, whether your child plays a standard piano or an electronic keyboard, share these piano songs with them to play at home.
How To Play The Piano?
If you want to introduce your little one to the piano or help them play it, consider the following steps.
- Introduce the instrument: Let your child explore the instrument. Encourage them to hit a few keys and get familiarized with the sound of the notes or pitch. Do not force them to learn immediately. If they know a song, try to play it on the piano to inspire them.
- Locate keys: You can place stickers on the keys to help them locate the notes. If the child is too young to read, be innovative, and place different color stickers on the keys and match them with the music sheet.
Quick tip- Start with a simple song: Start with short musical tunes. Remember, if you push the child, they might give up learning to play the instrument.
- Incorporate fun games: Games like ‘Piano Tiles’ or memory games involving musical notes can make learning enjoyable and educational.
15 Piano Songs For Kids
Simple yet popular piano songs for kids can make practice sessions exciting and engaging. Here are some familiar tunes to motivate your child to learn and explore piano playing further.
1. The Itsy Bitsy Spider
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It is a classic song that your child would like to play on the piano. You can play along and make hand movements too.
The itsy bitsy spider
G C C C D E E
Went up the water spout
E D C D E C
Down came the rain
E E F G
And washed the spider out
G F E F G E
Out came the sun
C C D E
And dried up all the rain
E D C D E C
And the itsy bitsy spider
G G C C C D E
Went up the spout again
E E D C D E C
2. Birthday Song
A child taking piano lessons may also want to perform.
And what better song than a birthday song to play at every family party.
Happy birthday to you
D D E D G F
Happy birthday to you
D D E D A G
Happy birthday dear person
D D d B G F# E
Happy birthday to you
C C B G A G
3. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
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It is one of the easiest piano lullabies a beginner can play. Most notes are played on twitch, which makes it simple to start with. Also, locating the keys is easier.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
C C G G A A G
How I wonder what you are
F F E E D D C
Did you know?Up above the world so high
G G F F E E D
Like a diamond in the sky
G G F F E E D
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
C C G G A A G
How I wonder what you are
F F E E D D C
4. Mary Had a Little Lamb
It is a song that many tutors teach children as the notes are easy to learn.
Mary had a little lamb
E D C D E E E
Little lamb, little lamb
D D D E G G
Mary had a little lamb
E D C D E E E
Its fleece was white as snow
E D D E D C
5. Old Mac Donald Had a Farm
Kindergarten children like the song as it has farm animals and their sounds. This children’s song has one of the most catchy melodies and the best part of the song is it has many verses that can be played repeatedly.
Old MacDonald had a farm
F F F C D D C
E-i-e-i-o
A A G G F
And on his farm he had a cow
F F F C D D C
E-i-e-i-o
A A G G F
With a moo-moo here and a moo-moo there
C F F F C F F F
Here a moo, there a moo
F F F F F
Everywhere a moo moo
F F F F F
Old MacDonald had a farm
F F F C D D C
E-i-e-i-o
A A G G F
6. If You Are Happy and You Know It
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If your child is done with basics, you can introduce white keys and B flat. This song can be a perfect choice as they can sing, clap, and play.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands
C C F F F F F F E F G
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands
C C G G G G G G F G A
If you’re happy and you know it
A A Bb Bb Bb Bb D D
Then your face will surely show it
Bb Bb A A A G F F
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands
A A G G G F E E D E F
7. The Wheels On The Bus
Does your child enjoy singing this song on every car trip? If yes, they will even enjoy playing it on the piano as it is a simple pattern of alternative keys.
The wheels on the bus
C F F F F
Go round and round
A C A F
Round and round
G E C
Round and round!
A G F
The wheels on the bus
C F F F F
Go round and round
A C A F
All through the town!
G C C F
8. Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Looking for a much simpler song to start with? This one can strike a chord with your little one.
Row, row, row your boat
C C C D E
Gently down the stream,
E D E F G
Merrily merrily, merrily, merrily
C C C G G G E E E C C C
Life is but a dream
G F E D C
9. Three Blind Mice
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The song has a simple practice rhyme for beginners.
Three blind mice
F# E D
Three blind mice
F# E D
See how they run
A G G F#
See how they run
A G G F#
They all ran after
A ^D ^D ^C# B
The farmer’s wife
^C# ^D-A A
Who cut off their tails
A ^D ^D ^D ^C#
With a carving knife,
B ^C# ^D-A A
Did you ever see such
A A ^D-^D ^C# B
A sight in your life,
^C# ^D A A A
As three blind mice?
G F# E D
10. Baa Baa Black Sheep
Playing this nursery rhyme is relatively easy for your child to master the piano.
Baa, baa, black sheep
C C G G
Have you any wool?
A A A-A G
Yes sir, yes sir
F F E E
Three bags full!
D D C
One for the master
G G G F-F
One for the dame
E E E D
And one for the little boy
C G G G F-F F
Who lives down the lane!
F E E E D
Quick fact11. London Bridge
If your child has started learning to play the piano, this rhyme should be on top of the list.
London Bridge is falling down
GA G F E F G
Falling down, falling down
D E F E F G
London Bridge is falling down
G A G F E F G
My fair lady!
D G E C
Build it up with iron bars
G A G F E F G
Iron bars, iron bars
D E F E F G
Build it up with iron bars
G A G F E F G
My fair lady!
D G E C
12. Jingle Bells
It is fun to play the Xmas and Hanukkah songs with your little one in school. Let them enjoy playing it on the piano.
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
E E E E E E E G C D E
Oh what fun it is to ride
F F F F F E E EE
In a one horse open sleigh
E D D E D G
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
E E E E E E E G C D E
Oh what fun it is to ride
F F F F F E E EE
In a one horse open sleigh
G G F D C
13. Yankee Doodle
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It is an easy song for the little one to play on the piano. The song includes the zebra keynotes, one black, and one white.
Yankee Doodle went to town
C C D E C E D
Riding on a pony,
G C C D E C B
He stuck a feather in his cap
G C C D E F E D
And called it macaroni!
C B G A B C C
Yankee Doodle keep it up,
A B A G A B C
Yankee Doodle dandy,
G A G F E G
Mind the music and the step
A B A G AB C
And with the girls be handy!
A G C B D C C
14. Baby Shark
It is the most popular dance song that your tiny tot would love to play. Its interlude is musical and simple to play on the keyboard.
Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
D E G G G G G G G
Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
D E G G G G G G G
Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
D E G G G G G G G
Baby shark
G G F#
Mummy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
D E G G G G G G G
Mummy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
D E G G G G G G G
Mummy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
D E G G G G G G G
Mummy shark
G G F#
Daddy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
D E G G G G G G G
Daddy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
D E G G G G G G G
Daddy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
D E G G G G G G G
Daddy shark
G G F#
15. I Love You (Barney’s Song)
It is one of the most famous Dinosaurs dancing songs your little one will enjoy playing on the piano.
I love you, you love me
G E G G E G
We’re a happy family!
A G F E D E F
With a great big hug
E F G C C
And a kiss from me to you
C C C D E F G
Won’t you say you love me too?
G D D F E D C
I love you, you love me
G E G G E G
We’re best friends
A G F
Like friends should be
E D E F
With a great big hug
E F G C C
And a kiss from me to you
C C C D E F G
Won’t you say you love me too?
G D D F E D C
Illustration: Easy Piano Songs For Kids And Beginners To Play
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I find piano sheet music for children’s songs?
You can easily find piano sheet music for your children with the help of music books, online sheet music websites, and YouTube tutorials.
2. How do I help my child memorize piano songs?
You can help your child memorize piano songs by breaking each song into smaller sections, using visual aids, and playing a piece for them daily. You could also make the learning process engaging by using online tutorials, or music notes coloring pages.
3. How can I help my child practice their piano songs effectively?
To enhance your child’s piano practice sessions, try establishing a routine with specific practice times in a distraction-free and comfortable environment. You could also use a timer to encourage short, focused sessions with breaks in between to maintain attention. Remember to celebrate progress and acknowledge small and big milestones to keep your child motivated.
4. How do piano songs for children help with memory and learning skills?
Piano songs require children to remember the songs’ notes and play them as per memory. This may help children improve their coordination, patience, creativity, concentration, and memorization skills.
Making way for improvisations and keeping your child busy with extracurricular activities helps develop their creative skills and reduces their screen time. These piano etudes for kids display variations and are a good choice if your child is interested in playing the instrument. You can easily teach your little one to play kid-friendly songs on the piano and have a good bonding time with them. Practice makes a person perfect is never not applicable in any situation. So, teach them the importance of practicing things and perfecting them eventually.
Infographic: Piano Songs For Children
Classic children’s rhymes can make a harmonious piano piece. We bring songs that are easy for the children to play and help them practice their piano skills. So save this infographic, pick one song for each day, and let your child enjoy a fun piano session. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Learning to play the piano can be easier with simple songs for kids.
- Piano lessons can start at any age, and simple songs motivate children to practice more often.
- A younger child can learn more quickly and may perform better.
- Try including different tunes to keep the child from getting bored easily.
- Itsy Bitsy Spider,’ ‘Wheels on the Bus,’ and ‘London Bridge’ are popular children’s songs with simple notes.
Learn to play 5 very easy children’s songs on the piano! This tutorial will show you how to play these songs quickly and easily. Perfect for beginners!
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. 5 Songs to learn for beginner piano players;https://medium.com/@jessicayeartie/5-songs-to-learn-for-beginner-piano-players-74e029f10e6d
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