10 easy one-hand piano songs (melodies + bass)

Practising with just one hand isn’t about being lazy — it’s actually one of the best ways to improve fast. You focus more. You listen more. You build strength and control in each hand separately, which makes everything easier when you do start playing with both.

Benefits:

• Builds finger independence

• Trains your ear to hear melody and bass separately

• Boosts confidence because you can sound musical early on

• Helps you stay focused instead of getting overwhelmed

💡 ARTMASTER TIP: If you are a complete beginner on the keys, it is worth checking out our step-by-step guide. It covers everything you need — from finding middle C to playing your first melody.

This section is all about vocal melodies and iconic hooks. You’re playing the part people recognise — the bit that gets sung back at festivals or shouted in the car.

The best part? You don’t need backing chords to make them sound good. We’ll break each one down with lyrics and matching notes, so you can learn them even if you’ve never read sheet music in your life.

Blinding Lights – The Weeknd

• Part: Chorus
  Key: A minor (simplified)

This synth-driven melody is pure '80s energy. And it works great on piano — even just with your right hand.

Lyrics:  I     said   ooh,   I’m    blinded   by    the     lights  
Notes:   E     E      G      A       C         C     A       G

Lyrics:  No,   I     can’t  sleep  until     I     feel    your   touch  
Notes:   E     E     G      A      C         C     A       G

🎧 How to play it: Go for a clean, detached feel. Use your sustain pedal sparingly — a little goes a long way. Repeat this pattern twice and you’ve got the whole chorus down.

Ocean Eyes – Billie Eilish

• Part: First verse
  Key: A minor

Understated, beautiful, and very playable. This one works well if you slow it down and let the melody breathe.

Lyrics:  I’ve  been  watching   you   for   some   time  
Notes:   E    D       B         G     A     A     G

Lyrics:  Can’t  stop  staring  at    those  ocean  eyes  
Notes:   G      B     A        G      E      F      G

🎧 How to play it: Keep the touch light. Add a bit of delay or reverb if you’re using a digital keyboard — it suits the track’s dreamy feel.

Someone Like You – Adele

• Part: First verse
  Key: A major

This melody is surprisingly simple — it’s all in the phrasing and emotional delivery. You only need a few notes, but the way you play them matters.

Lyrics:  I     heard   that    you’re   settled    down  
Notes:   A     B       C#      B       A          F#

Lyrics:  That  you     found   a     girl    and   you’re   married  now  
Notes:   E     D#      E       B     A       G#    A        F#

🎧 How to play it: Let each note ring clearly, and don’t rush. Play it as if you're singing it in your head — it helps your timing feel natural.

Clocks – Coldplay

• Part: Intro riff
  Key: Simplified to C major feel

You know this one instantly. It’s repetitive but hypnotic — and perfect for developing rhythm and finger control.

Looped phrase:
E   G   A   E   G   B  
E   G   A   E   G   B

🎧 How to play it: Use the pedal to smooth it out. This one feels best when you get into a groove and let it roll.

Für Elise – Beethoven

• Part: Opening motif
  Key: A minor

It might be classical, but it's also a classic. The first nine notes are iconic — and surprisingly beginner-friendly.

Notes:  E   D#  E   D#  E   B   D   C   A

🎧 How to play it: Keep your hand relaxed and move slowly. Once you’ve got this intro, you’ll feel like a proper pianist.

💡 ARTMASTER TIP: Using letters to play piano is a great way to start, find out other ways to learn piano without reading sheet music.

Most people think of the left hand as “just chords” — but it can do a lot more. These patterns give you that rich, rhythmic low-end sound that makes solo piano feel complete.

If you’re a lo-fi producer, a singer, or just want to get playing, these patterns are great for practice or even jamming over with your right hand. Try switching them up, combining styles, or creating your own variations.

Root – Fifth – Octave

Inspired by: Coldplay, The Cinematic Orchestra

• In C major:
  C G C (octave) — then repeat

🎧 How to play it: Use your pinky, middle, and thumb. Let the pedal hold the sound as you move to F or G for a chord change.

Minor bounce groove

Inspired by: Lo-fi beats, ambient hip hop

• In A minor:
  A E G — pause — A E G

🎧 How to play it: This has a great lo-fi loop feel. Add a simple right-hand improvisation over the top for instant chill.

Reggaeton-style bass

Inspired by: Despacito, Tropical House

• Try this pattern:
  C G A F

🎧 How to play it: Play the notes short and tight. This one’s all about the rhythm — try muting your sustain pedal and getting percussive.

'80s-style octave pulse

Inspired by: The Weeknd, Stranger Things

• In E minor:
  E E (octave) — D D — C C — B B

🎧 How to play it: Hold each octave for one beat. Use it under any retro melody or to loop on its own — it feels cinematic instantly.

Walking bass (C major)

Classic jazz-inspired movement

• Try this run:
  C D E F — G A B C
  Reverse it:
  C B A G — F E D C

🎧 How to play it: Nice and slow. This one works great if you’re improvising with your right hand — or even just humming over the top.

💡 ARTMASTER TIP: Playing with a metronome is one of the best tools for improving your timing, rhythm, and overall technique. Find out why and how in our guide — How to use a metronome: tips for piano, guitar & more.

If you’ve worked through a few of these and they’re starting to feel familiar, don’t rush to find “harder” songs. What will really move your playing forward is learning to adapt and experiment. Try adding a second hand. Try changing the rhythm. Try playing it in a different key. You’re not stuck with one version — you're just getting started.

A few ideas to try:

• Add simple left-hand root notes under your right-hand melodies

• Shift from single notes to outlining chords (like C – E – G)

• Change the rhythm or tempo to make it your own

• Try improvising with just 3 or 4 notes in one hand over a bass loop

• Play around and see what sounds good — that’s how real players learn

📚 Want to go further?

If you’re looking for your next steps, these articles are a great place to keep going:

• 👉 How to play all piano chords

• 👉 10 songs to learn on piano for beginners

• 👉 100+ songs you can play with just 4 chords

• 👉 How to learn piano fast: practical tips for busy adults

These cover everything from learning without sheet music to choosing your first songs, understanding chords, and building up real skills — all without making things complicated.

If you’re ready to go beyond single-hand parts and start building real skills at the piano, David Bennett’s Piano 1 for Beginners course is a great next step. It’s designed for total beginners, and it’s all about helping you play real music — not just scales and theory.

You’ll start with simple one-hand melodies, learn the basics of rhythm, and build up to using both hands together — all through well-known songs like Let It Be, Clocks, and Someone Like You. You’ll also get clear explanations of chords, timing, technique, and how to practise in a way that actually works.

Try it out with your 7-day free trial

And if you’d like feedback as you play — on your timing, your balance, your expression — we’re building something just for that. Artie is our new AI piano teacher designed for beginners. He listens as you play and helps you sound better, faster — all from home.

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Can you really learn piano with one hand?

Yes — you can still learn real songs, build technique, and develop musicality with just one hand. Many beginners start this way, especially when focusing on melody or bass patterns separately.

What are some easy songs to play with one hand?

Songs like Clocks by Coldplay, Blinding Lights by The Weeknd, and Imagine by John Lennon all work well as simplified one-hand versions — especially with the right rhythm and note choices.

Is one-hand piano just for kids or beginners?

Not at all. One-hand practice is useful for players of any level — especially for isolating melody, developing phrasing, or recovering from injury.

Do I need special sheet music for one-hand piano?

Not necessarily. You can simplify regular melodies, use chord-based approaches, or follow guides (like the examples in this article) that break things down note-by-note.

Will this help me play with both hands later?

Definitely. Practising one hand at a time builds coordination and confidence — and makes it much easier when you do start combining hands.

About the author

Matt Ford is a musician, teacher, writer, and lifelong student of sound.

With years of experience in both performing and teaching, he shares practical advice through ArtMaster to help musicians at every level build skill and confidence in their playing.