[For Beginners] Recommended Ghibli Masterpieces You’ll Want to Play on the Piano

Name of LifeJoe Hisaishi

Name of Life [Easy Piano] - Ghibli “Spirited Away”

Composed by Joe Hisaishi, this piece is a gem created for the film Spirited Away.

The beautiful melody woven by piano and strings resonates deeply with listeners.

Its delicate lines skillfully portray anxiety and hope, a sense of loss and rediscovery, perfectly expressing the film’s worldview.

For the left hand, it’s fine to start with single notes; once you get the hang of it, try capturing the harmonies with chords.

With its relaxed tempo, this is a recommended piece for beginners who want to play something wistful and gentle.

The Path of the WindAzumi Inoue / Joe Hisaishi

Path of the Wind (Easy Piano) Slow • Beginner Practice • Introductory Tutorial

This work, which poetically depicts the relationship between nature and humans, is a piece composed by Joe Hisaishi.

It was included in the soundtrack for the 1988 film My Neighbor Totoro, and with its serene, transparent melody, it expresses the beauty of nature like a breeze passing through.

Centered on piano and orchestra, the quiet tone evokes elements of classical and minimal music.

With a relaxed tempo and no complex rhythms, it’s perfect for beginners on the piano! Try playing it while imagining a forest.

Village in MayJoe Hisaishi

[Piano for Beginners] May Village Level 1 [Free Sheet Music with Do-Re-Mi Notation]

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It’s a captivating piece with a buoyant melody that conjures up lush, green countryside scenes.

It’s that song from the 1988 film My Neighbor Totoro, played as the sisters, thrilled about their new life, appear on screen.

What’s wonderful about this piece is its brisk, jazz-like rhythm, which adds a stylish, cheerful touch to Japan’s tranquil landscapes.

When playing it on the piano, the key is to bring out a skipping, bouncy sense of rhythm.

If you play energetically and with joy, you’ll surely capture the piece’s sense of excitement.

Try to bounce lightly across the keys as if you were the story’s protagonist.

First workday of the yearJoe Hisaishi

[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.

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.

Sometimes, old storiesJoe Hisaishi

Tokiko Kato 'Once in a While, Let's Talk About the Old Days' — Porco Rosso (film) Ending Theme [Moving if you can play it! How to Play on Piano] ☆4

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It’s a piece whose melancholy, chanson-like melody lingers in the heart, gracing the ending of the film Porco Rosso.

Originally created by Tokiko Kato in 1987, it was given a grand orchestral arrangement for the movie.

The lyrics warmly look back on days gone by, mirroring the protagonist Porco’s outlook on life and lending the story a deep afterglow.

This song also carries a heartwarming anecdote in which words from the lyrics inspired the studio’s name.

With its exquisitely beautiful melody line, even a simple accompaniment allows you to fully savor the song’s tender, bittersweet atmosphere.

It’s a piece I highly recommend to anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the story and perform with heartfelt emotion.

Merry-Go-Round of LifeJoe Hisaishi

[For Beginners] Howl’s Moving Castle: Merry-Go-Round of Life [Easy Piano with Do-Re-Mi Notation]

It’s the theme song from the film Howl’s Moving Castle, featuring a simple yet mysterious melody that evokes nostalgia and poignancy.

Because both the rhythm and melodic movement are straightforward, it’s a piece that beginners can master by playing it at a relaxed pace.

Since there are many repeated phrases and just stringing the notes together can make the performance feel monotonous, once your fingering becomes reasonably smooth, try building volume toward the chorus or adding slight tempo variations to bring the piece to life.