Piano is likely the most timeless instrument in the world. From classic compositions to jazzy melodies, the piano is a sound I look for in my music. As a hobby pianist, I try to find songs I could learn to play. Whether simply chords or elaborate pieces, these songs are some of my favorites that I want to translate to my own work.
What a Fool Believes – The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers are a band that has went through many genres. For their “Minute by Minute” album, they were in a period of soulful yacht rock. This song exemplifies this era perfectly; a bouncy, playful piano mingles with Micheal McDonald’s unique and baritone vocals. Throw in the somber lyrics of the song and you have a piece you could soak yourself in for hours. The notes are not as hard to learn as the method in which you play them.
After the Love Is Gone – Earth Wind and Fire
A favorite song of my favorite band, the piano here is quite prominent. A song that starts off slow with a beautiful chord chart slowly ramps up with Maurice White and the rest of the band’s harmonization. When the trumpets drop for the chorus, you can’t help but groove a little. This is certainly a tougher piece to get down and memorize, with multiple difficult chord changes in quick succession.
Everything I Am – Kanye West
The piano in “Everything I Am” was not composed by Kanye himself. It comes from “If We Can’t Be Lovers” by Prince Phillip Mitchell, a massively underrated and soothing song. However, Kanye speeds up the tempo and chops the sample up beautifully, making a song equal parts remorseful and calming. Of course, old Kanye had next level lyricism and production, which only add to the sample’s perfection. This is a very simple piece to get down for yourself.
The World Is Yours – Nas
Nas infuses an urban feel into this list, with the song being a non-stop rap overlaying one of the most pleasing yet simple melodies to be produced on a piano. The repetitive nature of the music allows Nas to form his own tempo. It’s a song with some of the most iconic lines in all of hip hop, and was generational in how it combined rapping with calm samples and beats. After you get over the initial hump of learning the fast note changes, the melody simply repeats for the rest of the song.
Goodbye Stranger – Supertramp
“Goodbye Stranger” takes a bit of time to warm up. Its piano plays as a steady yet energized anchor for the songs other instruments to amp up: electric guitar, bass, and drum. Add on Supertramp’s low pitched build up, into its inflated chorus, and you get a song that invokes a wide range of emotions. This is a song that would be extremely difficult to get down on piano, with multiple varied and distinct sections. The original was played on an electric keyboard, meaning there will always be a difference in sound.
