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

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.

Round Dance of the Sunflower HouseJoe Hisaishi

[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.

Main themeHoshikatsu

Only Yesterday, Main Theme, Beginner, Print Sheet Music, Arranged by Chiharu Kawada, Piano, omoide poroporo, main theme

http://www.print-gakufu.com

This is the music from the film Only Yesterday that evokes memories from long ago, as if they spring vividly to life in the protagonist’s heart.

Released in July 1991, the film uses this beautiful melody to accompany the inner landscapes of a 27-year-old woman as she recalls her 10-year-old self.

Featured on the album Only Yesterday Original Soundtrack, the piece is characterized by a quiet, nostalgic tone centered on piano arpeggios.

With its relaxed tempo and gentle movement, it’s approachable even for those new to the piano.

Cherish the clear, shimmering resonance—as if fragments of memory are sparkling—and play each note with care.

Someone at any timeRed Dragon

[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.

Hanyu no YadoEnglish folk song

Hanyu no Yado – Piano – Grave of the Fireflies – Ghibli

http://www.amazon.co.jp

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.

Love is a flower, and you are its seed.Amanda McBroom

[Beginner-Friendly] The Rose (Only Yesterday) – Easy Piano Arrangement with Do-Re-Mi Notes, Slow Tempo, One-Finger, Right-Hand Only, or Both Hands

Many people were likely moved by the deeply resonant vocals that play over the ending of the film “Only Yesterday.” The song is widely known through Bette Midler’s performance and won a Golden Globe in 1980.

While comparing love to harsh things like a river and a knife, it ultimately portrays it as a hopeful flower—a truly wonderful, universal message.

The melody line is exceptionally beautiful, so even with simple accompaniment, you can fully savor the warm world the piece embodies.

The key is a relaxed tempo, playing the melody with tenderness.

By putting your heart into each and every note, you’ll create a rich performance that resonates deeply with listeners.

Ask me why (A Mother’s Thoughts)Joe Hisaishi

Ask Me Why (A Mother's Thoughts) / Joe Hisaishi 'The Boy and the Heron' OST

This is the theme song from Studio Ghibli’s feature-length animated film The Boy and the Heron, which can be called the culmination of director Hayao Miyazaki’s work.

It is performed tenderly on a solo piano only three times during important scenes, from the opening to the late stages of the film, with no arrangements or variations for other instruments, making it clear how deeply composer Joe Hisaishi cherishes this piece.

If you listen closely, one note in the chorus melody differs from Ask Me Why (Mahito’s Resolve).

Just as Mahito returns with the stone and retains his memories of the experience, he has indeed changed from before to now.

It feels like a deliberate, meaningful misalignment.

The characters’ emotions are conveyed through live performance, as if opening the door to the heart.