Piano Beginner’s Guide to Starting Performance! (With Easy Practice Pieces)

Many people feel inspired to start piano after seeing performances on TV or social media.

However, many hesitate to take the first step because they worry, “I can’t read sheet music” or “Is it too late to start as an adult?”

In this article, we’ll introduce how to learn piano as an adult beginner by practicing correctly and consistently.

3 Practice Pieces for Piano Beginners

Correct Posture and “C Position”

To play the piano, it’s important to understand the correct posture and finger placement.

Keep the following points in mind and try playing the Step 1 practice piece.

You can download the sheet music for this practice piece below.

What is the Beginner’s Basic Posture “C Position”?

Place your right-hand thumb on Middle C, with the remaining fingers resting on D–E–F–G in order. The left hand takes the same position one octave lower.

Keep both wrists slightly raised, curve your fingers as if holding an egg, and touch the keys vertically.

Because all five notes are naturally within reach, this position is ideal for practicing scales and simple melodies without strain. It’s perfect for building finger independence and relaxation. Beginners should use this shape to develop awareness of distance between notes and keys.

Practice Moving Both Hands Separately

Once you’re comfortable with the “Middle C Position,” the next step is practicing how to move your fingers independently in each hand.

It may feel difficult at first, but by practicing with each hand separately before combining them, you will gradually get used to it.

Independent Movements with Correct Position

This is a summary of the two previous practice pieces.

Keep your hands in the Middle C Position while practicing separate movements with both hands.

Extra: Step Up with a VR Piano Game

In our VR piano game “Sigure,” we’ve prepared a step-up program designed especially for beginners.

You can start from finger exercises and gradually advance through step-by-step lessons. If you’re interested, try practicing in VR!

Recommended Sheet Music for Beginners

Here are some easy sheet music arrangements that are beginner-friendly.

Once you’ve practiced the three exercises above, give these songs a try!

Butterfly (Chōchō)

Mary Had a Little Lamb

Recommended Classical Pieces for Beginners

We also provide many beginner-friendly arrangements of classical pieces!

These are slightly more challenging compared to “Butterfly” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” but you can still enjoy famous pieces with simplified arrangements. Give them a try!

10 Easy Classical Piano Songs for Beginners [Free PDF Sheet Music]

For those looking for easy-to-play piano sheet music, we offer 10 specially arranged “Easy Classical” pieces in PDF format for free, tailored for beginners. These scores are designed to balance readability and playability, so start practicing today and make your debut with these masterpieces! もくじ10 Easy Classical Sheet Music PiecesFrog Chorus / German Folk SongJesu, […]

5 Common Misconceptions About Piano Beginners

There are many perceived hurdles to learning piano. Here are 5 common misconceptions explained:

Adults have stiff fingers, so they improve more slowly?
→ While it’s true adults may not be used to piano movements, their finger strength, comprehension, and ability to reproduce often allow them to progress faster than children.

It’s impossible to learn on your own?
→ With persistence and the right information, self-study is absolutely possible. You can supplement difficult parts with one-off lessons.

Isn’t piano too expensive?
→ You can enjoy digital pianos starting from around ¥20,000 (~$150).

No time to practice?
→ Even 30 minutes a day is enough.

You can’t play if you can’t read sheet music?
→ With video-based practice and apps, you can learn intuitively by “watching and playing.”

Practice Schedule Example

If you can practice 30 minutes a day, here’s a 4-week roadmap to follow.

Use this as a reference for your own practice schedule.

Week	Goal	Recommended Songs
Week 1	Correct position & independent hand movement	The 3 practice pieces from this page
Week 2	Pieces without changing position	“Butterfly” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
Week 3	Finger crossing & passing under	Finger Crossing Exercises
Week 4	Challenge a simple piece	Beginner Classical Pieces

3 Tips to Stay Motivated

1. Practice Songs You Love

The best way to stay motivated is to keep practicing “songs you’d be happy to play”.

It could be a phrase from your favorite artist or a children’s song. Familiar melodies are easier to master, and even completing a single measure gives a sense of achievement.

2. Build a Community

Sharing your practice with others provides encouragement from peers and also gives you an opportunity to objectively review your own performance.

3. Set Clear Goals

Finally, set specific goals such as “perform at a recital” or “play for friends” in 6 months or a year. Visualizing progress makes it easier to stay motivated.

By combining these three approaches, you can keep your motivation high and make piano practice a lasting habit!

Preparing Instruments and Environment

So far, we’ve explained practice methods. For those who don’t yet own a piano, here’s a summary of each type and its features.

If you already own a piano, please move on to the next section.

Type	Price Range	Advantages	Notes
Keyboard (49–88 keys)	¥10,000–¥50,000	Lightweight, affordable, space-saving	Keys are light / 88-key model recommended
Digital Piano (49–88 keys)	¥20,000–¥500,000	Authentic touch, no tuning required	Replace every 10–20 years
Upright / Grand Piano	¥400,000+	Best sound & touch, long-term value	Tuning costs ¥12,000 × 1–2 times per year

Choose the right instrument for home use based on your purpose, budget, and available space.

For adult beginners, an 88-key digital piano is generally the safest choice, but consider your room space and intended use before deciding.

Choosing Between Self-Study, Lessons, or Online Classes

Self-study can be started freely with zero cost, but challenges include maintaining correct form and motivation.

Choose the learning method that best matches your current level and personality.

Best for Self-Study Learners

• Have persistence and self-discipline
• Can’t always secure fixed practice times
• Can problem-solve using YouTube or apps

Best for In-Person Lessons

• Want detailed corrections for hand shape & posture
• Need goals like recitals to stay motivated
• Struggle with managing motivation

Best for Online Lessons

• Already own an instrument at home
• Prefer lessons with zero travel time
• Want to study theory and academic topics (e.g., chord theory)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can adults really learn to play?
A: Yes. In fact, adults often progress faster because they already have finger strength and better comprehension. The key is to keep practicing steadily for at least 6 months without rushing.

Q: Is a 61-key digital piano okay?
A: For most songs, yes. However, some intermediate and advanced pieces require a full 88 keys, so check if the songs you want to play fit within 61 keys.

Q: I’m not good at reading sheet music…
A: That’s fine. Nowadays you can practice using video tutorials, and many apps display colored keys, making it easier to learn by “watching and playing.”

Conclusion: Starting Piano as a Beginner

Piano is an instrument that anyone can learn to play with steady practice.

First, build a solid foundation of posture, then aim to complete one song within 4 weeks.

1. Choose and set up your instrument
2. Begin C Position practice
3. Select a favorite song and practice it

Once you can play a phrase you like, practice will become fun and rewarding.

Take your time, enjoy the process, and you will steadily improve at piano.