Were you born in the 1980s and raised on the sounds of Nirvana, Guns n Roses, and the Red-Hot Chilli Peppers?
The 1990s were a great time for music; grunge was becoming more popular, the Spice Girls were just around the corner, and, of course, the diversity in RnB and rock was unmatched. So, if you want to recreate the sounds of the 1990s but are new to playing the piano, don’t despair!
OK, so you aren’t exactly going to be able to play the entirety of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ with one hand, but there are some popular songs from this era that you can easily learn to play on the piano, even with a beginner’s level of skill.
Read on to get some ideas!
Wonderwall by Oasis
Even those who weren’t born in the 1980s know this song – it is the most downloaded 1990s song on iTunes and is one of the iconic songs from this era, even if it may not seem appealing to modern ears.
As piano songs for beginners go, it’s ideal because it uses simple chords, such as C, G, Em, and D. It also allows beginners to focus on their timing and rhythm, which is crucial for being able to move on to more complicated pieces.
Also, as its fame precedes it, you can rest assured that you will have a lot of fun playing it!
My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion
Did you like the 1996 movie Titanic?
Even if you never saw it, you will undoubtedly know the famous soundtrack for it, which came from the angelic voice of Celine Dion.
Now, you may think this tune is complex to play, even on a piano with a moderate level of skill, but due to the slow nature of the tempo, it allows beginners to focus on their finger movement and dexterity skills without needing to hit multiple keys at once.
The chords are also straightforward and repetitive, and, as it is a very powerful song, it can motivate fans and learners to improve their control of the piano.
Torn by Natalie Imbruglia
Released in 1997, this song perfectly blends sadness and apathy into a tune that almost everyone recognizes and knows some of the lyrics to. Much like My Heart Will Go On, it is another song that seems complex but is rather simple.
You will need two hands to play it, but your left hand will only need to play simple accompaniment patterns. The melody can be played by itself on the right hand if needed.
Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve
This is another one of the most downloaded 1990s songs, with those well-known opening violins making it instantly recognizable.
Of course, you can also play it on the piano. Indeed, the repetitive string motif can be adapted to a piano and will help you learn to play with both hands. If you are brand new to playing the piano, playing such an infamous piece with ease can boost your confidence and propel you to play more complex songs.