Beginner Piano Songs in A Major: A Curated Collection for New Players
Discover the best beginner piano songs in A Major. From Adele to Beethoven, play popular hits with color-coded notes — no sheet music needed.
Why A Major Is a Great Key for Beginners
If you've been playing in C or G and want to branch out, A Major is a natural next step. Many of the songs in this key use simple chord shapes built around Am, C, F, G, and Dm — patterns your fingers may already know. The key of A also gives songs a distinctive warmth and resonance on the piano, partly because the A note sits right in the middle of the keyboard where everything feels balanced and comfortable under your hands.
What's especially nice about this collection is the variety. You'll find slow, reflective ballads sitting alongside upbeat pop tracks, classic rock deep cuts, and even a Beethoven string quartet arranged for piano. Every single one is rated beginner-level, so you won't hit a wall halfway through any of them.
The Songs: What to Play and Why
Minimal Chords, Maximum Impact
Let's start with the songs that use the fewest chords. If you're brand new to the piano, these are your best friends.
AIlly · Key A · 112 BPMPlay"I Awake" by Illy uses just two chords — Am and Dm6. That's it. The octave bass pattern gives it a driving, energetic feel despite the simplicity. It's a perfect song for building confidence with your left hand while your right hand barely has to move.
AEd Sheeran · Key A · 120 BPMPlayEd Sheeran's "Sing" only asks for three chords: Am, Db, and Dm. The pedal bass keeps things steady underneath, and the tempo is moderate enough that you can lock into the groove without feeling rushed. The funky vibe of this track makes it surprisingly fun to play on piano.
AAdele · Key A · 124 BPMPlayAdele's "Hometown Glory" is another three-chord gem — Am, C, and F. The octave bass pattern gives it a spacious, atmospheric quality that mirrors the original's emotional weight. This is a beautiful song to play slowly and really let the notes breathe. If you enjoy expressive, soulful playing, start here.
AShawn Mendes · Key A · 170 BPMPlayShawn Mendes' "Treat You Better" bumps you up to four chords: Am, C, F, and G. The original is quite fast at 170 BPM, but don't worry — take it at whatever tempo feels comfortable. The pedal bass pattern makes the left hand predictable, so you can focus on getting those right-hand chord changes smooth and even.
Pop Ballads and Emotional Favorites
Once you're comfortable with basic chord changes, these songs let you dig into more expressive playing.
ARihanna · Key A · 112 BPMPlayRihanna's "Stay" is one of those songs that sounds far more complex than it actually is. Five chords (Am, C, Dm, F, G) and a block bass pattern — that's all it takes to recreate that achingly vulnerable feel. The moderate 112 BPM tempo gives you plenty of time between changes. This is a crowd-pleaser that's genuinely easy to learn.
AOlly Murs · Key A · 126 BPMPlayOlly Murs' "Dear Darlin'" uses six chords and a block bass style. The progression moves through Am, C, Dm, Em, F, and G in a way that feels very natural — each chord seems to lead inevitably to the next. It's a great song for practicing smooth transitions because the harmonic movement is so logical.
ALinkin Park · Key A · 80 BPMPlayLinkin Park's "Leave Out All the Rest" might surprise you with how gentle it is. The pedal bass anchors everything while six chords paint a melancholic, reflective mood. The Fmaj7 chord adds a touch of sophistication without adding any real difficulty — it's just one note different from a regular F. A lovely piece for quiet practice sessions.
Classic Rock and Timeless Tracks
AJanis Joplin · Key A · 60 BPMPlayJanis Joplin's "Kozmic Blues" is a slow burner at just 60 BPM, making it one of the most relaxed songs in this collection. The six-chord palette includes E7, which gives it that bluesy edge Joplin was famous for. If you want to feel like you're playing something with real musical grit, this is your song.
AThe Beatles · Key A · 90 BPMPlayThe Beatles' "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" has a playful, bouncy energy that's infectious at the keyboard. Seven chords might sound like a lot, but the pedal bass keeps your left hand anchored while your right hand navigates the changes. The D7 and G7 chords add some color that makes this one feel richer than your typical beginner piece.
ADavid Bowie · Key A · 140 BPMPlayDavid Bowie's "Suffragette City" is the fastest song in this roundup at 140 BPM, and it absolutely rips. Seven chords, a mixed bass pattern, and pure rock energy. Start this one at half speed and gradually bring it up — rushing through it will only create sloppy habits. Once you've got it locked in, though, it's an absolute blast.
Something a Little Different
ALudwig van Beethoven · Key A · 120 BPMPlayBeethoven's Andante from String Quartet Op. 59, No. 3 proves that classical music can be beginner-friendly too. With 12 chords, it has the widest harmonic vocabulary on this list, but the peaceful mood and measured pace make it very approachable. The pedal bass pattern keeps your left hand steady while the right hand explores some truly gorgeous chord voicings, including a lovely Cdim that adds unexpected tension.
ADave Matthews · Key A · 100 BPMPlayDave Matthews' "Gravedigger" is dramatic storytelling set to an oompah bass pattern — an unusual combination that works beautifully. Eight chords cover a lot of harmonic ground, and the 100 BPM tempo gives you enough breathing room to handle the Bb and other less common shapes. It's a fantastic choice if you want something that feels like a narrative journey.
AJack Johnson · Key A · 76 BPMPlayJack Johnson's "All at Once" rounds things out with a mellow, dramatic feel at a gentle 76 BPM. The oompah bass adds a lilting sway, and the eight chords include some interesting choices like Fm and E7 that give the song real character. If you're a Jack Johnson fan, you already know how satisfying his songs are to play — and this one doesn't disappoint.
Tips for Playing Songs in A Major
Get Comfortable with the Am Shape First
Many of these songs revolve around Am as their home base. Spend a few minutes each practice session just playing Am — let your fingers memorize the shape so thoroughly that you never have to think about it. When Am is automatic, everything else falls into place more easily.
Use the Color-Coded Notes to Your Advantage
One of the best things about learning on Super Simple Piano is that you don't need to read sheet music. The color-coded system shows you exactly which keys to press. For songs with more chords (like the Beethoven or Reflection), the colors help you distinguish between similar chord shapes without getting lost.
Don't Chase the Original Tempo
Songs like "Suffragette City" and "Treat You Better" are fast in their original recordings. There's absolutely no rule that says you need to match that speed. Start at 50–60% tempo, nail the chord changes cleanly, and then gradually speed up. Clean and slow always beats fast and messy.
Pay Attention to Bass Patterns
You'll notice that different songs in this collection use different bass styles — pedal, block, oompah, octave, and walking. Each one changes how the song feels underneath the chords. Try to really listen to what your left hand is doing. The bass pattern is often what makes a simple chord progression sound like an actual song rather than just a sequence of chords.
Build a Mini Practice Set
Pick three songs from this collection: one that's easy for you, one that's a moderate challenge, and one that stretches your skills. Start each session with the easy one to warm up, spend most of your time on the moderate one, and end with a few minutes on the stretch piece. This keeps practice varied and prevents frustration.
Ready to start playing?
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