9 Easy Rock Songs to Play on the Piano

As popular of an instrument as it is, the piano still takes years to truly master and requires a good degree of dedication to get there. As an aspiring pianist, you’ve likely played some songs from different genres, but have you tried out a rock tune in the process?

There’s no reason to stick to only the classics when learning the piano. There are many genres to explore, with easy piano rock songs being some of our favorites. Especially when playing with the Yamaha Clavinova CSP or Yamaha Clavinova CVP series pianos, which allow you to connect to the Smart Pianist app where you can learn these songs using the audio to score function. Mastering this genre just got easier!

To help you further explore the rock genre and make playing these hit songs a little easier, we are sharing beginner tutorials of the top 10 of easy rock songs to play on the piano.

1. Let It Be – Lennon/McCarthy

Who doesn’t love a The Beatles hit? Let it Be is a beautiful, easy piano rock music song to tackle, and one that many music lovers can learn early on. The Beatles are considered one of the most influential bands of all time which is why we always include this title track from their last album in our list of rock songs to learn on the piano.

What makes this one of the best easy rock songs to learn on the piano is that it’s simple to play, yet features some nice chord patterns that are easy to play along with, making it a great place to start when exploring the rock genre.

For tips on how to play this song, watch the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXH3N2czMrc&feature=youtu.be

2. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

Another of the best easy rock songs to learn on the piano is Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’. This one is sure to liven up any room and get people out of their seats, so it’s one a vibrant new pianist will love to play.

Thankfully, this classic rock song is pretty simple to learn, too. In this tutorial, the video demonstrates chord progression used throughout the intro and 1st verse. The chord progression is E major, B major, C# minor, and A major, then E major, B major, G# minor, and A major. All of these chords are familiar to beginning players and will help them build on their basic foundational knowledge of the piano.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HVH3K0EbS0

3. Rocket Man – Elton John

Next on the list of easy piano classic rock songs is Rocket Man by Elton John. In this tutorial, the right hand plays the melody while the left hand plays the bass notes. The melody moves quickly and has rhythmic patterns that can be slightly challenging, pushing new players out of their comfort zone to better their piano playing.

During the more challenging parts of this song, we recommend new pianists hum or count along with the notes to practice the main melody. This way, they can better master the song on the piano by first understanding the rhythm.

To play this song, watch the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUhr1Uhtk6M&feature=youtu.be

4. Piano Man – Billy Joel

What better-titled song to learn as a new pianist than Piano Man? This song by Billy Joel is another of the well-known easy classic rock songs to learn on the piano, partially due to how recognizable it is, but also in part due to the simple chords involved.

With this song, the chord progression goes C major, G major, F major, C major, F major, C major, D7, and G major. Then goes to C major, G major, F major, C major, F major, G major, C major. This pattern repeats throughout the verse and chorus, making it very easy for beginners to learn.

Learn how to play using the video below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggT6hnSjI34&feature=youtu.be

5. Purple Rain by Prince

Purple Rain is another favorite when it comes to easy rock songs to play on the piano, as it not only falls under the rock genre, but includes R&B, gospel, and orchestral elements too for a true power ballad. This 1984 hit is great for beginners to practice, especially as it requires a bit more care with their hands as they play the tune.

When practicing this song, the right hand is the one to watch. This is because it will play both the main melody and support notes from the chords. Then, the left hand will add the bass melodies. To best master this song, it’s recommended to break it down into pieces, practicing each section to pay special attention to the rhythm and how it changes.

For more on how to play this song, check out the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMRF11X0XaE&feature=youtu.be

6. We Are the Champions by Queen

For our next easy rock songs to learn on the piano, we are turning back to Queen. This iconic song is one of rock’s most recognizable anthems, and one many beginning pianists can master.

While there are some fast notes played by the right hand, this is still a pretty simple song. To manage these faster moments, we recommend new players try singing along to make sense of what they are playing. Then, focus as the left-hand carries the bass and harmony throughout the song. This is important to memorize before learning the right-hand melodies to create a strong foundation.

To learn how to play this song, check out this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y8B7CQr8b8&feature=youtu.be

7. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana

Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana is a top contender on the list of easy rock songs to learn on the piano as it largely defined the grunge genre, bringing in rock elements with louder, angrier guitars and lyrics.

Despite the angsty tune, the bass line is pretty repetitive, making it great to learn for new pianists. After mastering the bass, break the song into smaller pieces and practice them separately. To stay on beat with this song, use a metronome to ensure you get the rhythm just right.

Practice this song using the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfNb4W6qURk&feature=youtu.be

8. Wonderwall by Oasis

Oasis’ Wonderwall from 1995 is another beautiful song to master on the piano, and one of the best easy piano rock songs, too. With many pianists already knowing the tune and words to this song, their memory can help guide them through this for a beautiful result.

To start playing this song, start by learning the left hand first. Play with this hand while simply singing the right-hand melody to get a good feel for it. Once the left hand has been mastered, it’s time to begin on the chords and main melody. To do this, note the rhythm in the introduction where the right-hand plays the chords, as this can be one of the trickier elements for beginners to master. Then, take note of the gap between the left and right hands during the second and fourth notes. This is what gives the feel of the guitar in the original song!

To start learning this tune on the piano, watch the video below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YUo6UjJyGo&feature=youtu.be

9. Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses

Sweet Child O’ Mine is a successful song by Guns N’ Roses that was at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 after its release in 1988. Winning several awards at the time, this is a great rock song for new pianists to learn, especially due to its recognizable opening riff.

When playing this song, pianists can use the sustain pedal to tie notes together, but it’s important to change when the bass changes. One of the most famous elements of this song is the introduction, so this is where a new player should begin when looking to truly master this song.

To learn to play, watch the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW6EOsqVe20&feature=youtu.be

Conclusion

From Nirvana to Guns N’ Roses, and even a top Beatles hit, all of these easy piano classic rock songs will help beginner pianists expand their repertoire and further elevate their piano playing skills. With these songs, new pianists can build upon their foundational skills to the tune of their favorite hits.

One of the most important elements to consider when learning to play these easy piano rock songs is to play on a high-quality piano. Greene Music is home to the finest Yamaha Clavinova digital pianos. You can browse through the catalog to look for a piano or you can get in touch with Greene Music by calling at (858) 956-7651 or via the contact form, and piano experts will help you choose the instrument that is just right for you.