We’re taking a look at some of the most famous piano rock songs of all time. If you do a little digging, you will find songs by many famous bands that you can even play as a beginner on the piano. If you’re looking to rock out on the piano you have come to the right place. Skoove is here to guide you through these top piano rock songs with friendly lessons and expert guidance. So let’s look at a list of popular songs that use piano as a main instrument. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents:
- Deep Purple – “Smoke On The Water”
- Don McClean – “American Pie”
- The Mama’s and The Papa’s – “California Dreaming”
- Guns N’ Roses – “November Rain”
- Pink Floyd – “The Wall”
- Queen – “We Will Rock You”
- Journey – “Don’t Stop Believin’”
- Coldplay – “Clocks”
- Prince – “Purple Rain”
- Queen – “Another One Bites The Dust”
- Jerry Lee Lewis – “Great Balls of Fire”
- Elton John – “Bennie and the Jets”
1. Deep Purple – “Smoke On The Water”
| Difficulty level | Difficulty level |
| Key(s) | Key(s) |
| Meter | Meter |
| Technique | Technique |
| Try Adding | Try Adding |
One of the most famous beginner rock songs people learn on guitar is Smoke On The Water. The main riff can be played by the left or right hand, or both together on the piano. This incredible and irresistible motif is different from most of those you would find in classical music and a great introduction into the world of rock piano.
2. Don McClean – “American Pie”
| Difficulty level | Beginner |
| Key(s) | C major |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Left hand bass line |
| Try Adding | Pedaling for smoother transitions |
Don McClean’s American Pie is a perfect example for how to take a classic rock song and create a beginner friendly but exciting piano version. The rock songs are often not written originally with piano in mind but work just as well played on the keys. This song will test your endurance, focus. With a little help from the Skoove app you can break this down into manageable steps for easy and intuitive learning.
3. The Mama’s and The Papa’s – “California Dreaming”
| Difficulty level | Beginner |
| Key(s) | A minor |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Seventh chords |
| Try Adding | Articulation to the left hand bass line |
A lot of us remember California Dreaming as a great piano soundtrack for all of those awesome vocal harmonies, but there are also some incredible piano performances out there too. It features some more unusual chords which makes it a great option for those looking to advance their playing. This is a favorite song of many piano teachers, because of how interesting it plays with melody and seventh chords.
4. Guns N’ Roses – “November Rain”
| Difficulty level | Beginner |
| Key(s) | C major |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Right hand harmony |
| Try Adding | Pedaling and dynamics for added expression |
Frequently featured in lists of 90s rock songs with piano. This epic ballad opens with one of the most recognizable piano intros in rock. The flowing arpeggios and slow chord changes make it ideal for developing expressive playing and smooth hand movement. Be sure to use plenty of pedal and shape the phrases carefully to bring out the dramatic feel of this famous rock piano song.
5. Pink Floyd – “The Wall”
| Difficulty level | Beginner |
| Key(s) | D minor |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Bass pedal |
| Try Adding | Dynamics for a more interesting flow |
What list of best rock songs to play on piano could be complete without the inclusion of at least one song by Pink Floyd? Dark Side Of The Moon is one of the most famous and successful songs ever, but perhaps the most famous song among piano rock music fans is The Wall. Earlier Pink Floyd featured the piano in songs such as The Great Gig in the Sky, but The Wall features the piano more frequently.
This song is one of the best piano songs rock bands love to play, so it is known by the masses.
6. Queen – “We Will Rock You”
| Difficulty level | Beginner |
| Key(s) | D minor |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Octave bass lines |
| Try Adding | Dynamics for a more interesting contrasts |
Although famous for its stomp-stomp-clap rhythm, this anthem also works surprisingly well as one of the easiest rock songs on piano for beginners. This piano arrangement is bold yet simple. This will let you focus on rhythm in the music and keep time well so everyone can stomp and clap along with you. You can slow everything down in the Skoove app to capture this powerful beat and stadium energy of this classic rock piano song.
7. Journey – “Don’t Stop Believin’”
| Difficulty level | Intermediate |
| Key(s) | F major |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Right hand harmonization |
| Try Adding | Articulation to the right hand chords |
The iconic piano intro Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” makes this one of the most recognizable 80s piano songs you can play on piano. The iconic piano intro makes it one of the most famous piano rock songs to open a set with. Keep the arpeggios steady and even so the melody can float naturally above the accompaniment.
8. Coldplay – “Clocks”
| Difficulty level | Intermediate |
| Key(s) | Eb major |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Dotted rhythms |
| Try Adding | Dynamics to bring out the right hand pattern |
This modern rock piano song is built around a repeating arpeggiated riff that sounds complex but is actually becomes very manageable once learned through the Skoove app. The pattern repeats throughout the piece.This allows you to focus on melody, timing and smooth transitions. Keep the rhythm steady and you can use the pedal carefully to maintain the song’s hypnotic atmosphere. This is one of the best easy piano songs to have up your sleeve, because so many people know the song today.
9. Prince – “Purple Rain”
| Difficulty level | Intermediate |
| Key(s) | C major |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Right hand chords |
| Try Adding | Pedaling for more nuanced expression |
Purple Rain is one of the most iconic piano rock songs from the 80s to learn thanks to its slow tempo and expressive chords. This piano arrangement focuses on sustained notes and simple melodic movement, allowing you to concentrate on dynamics and emotion. The key is letting the chords ring with pedal to create the powerful, dramatic atmosphere the song is known for.
10. Queen – “Another One Bites The Dust”
| Difficulty level | Intermediate |
| Key(s) | A minor |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Left hand bass line |
| Try Adding | Articulation for more punch |
This piano song has a tight rhythmic groove that translates nicely to the keys. With a little help from Skoove you can recreate the famous bass riff with your left hand while adding short, punchy notes in the right. The best way to play this rock song on piano is to keep the rhythm clean and precise so the groove stays locked in. Be sure to practice with a metronome and the Skoove app.
11. Jerry Lee Lewis – “Great Balls of Fire”
| Difficulty level | Intermediate |
| Key(s) | G major |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Left hand arpeggios |
| Try Adding | Staccato articulation to make the right hand stand out |
A classic example of early rock and roll piano songs, this track is full of energy and fast right-hand riffs and bouncy articulation. The left hand keeps a driving boogie-style arpeggiated bass pattern while the right hand adds flashy chords and runs. The secret to this song is keeping the rhythm lively and playful while maintaining control of the fast patterns.
12. Elton John – “Bennie and the Jets”
| Difficulty level | Advanced |
| Key(s) | G major |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Right hand chords |
| Try Adding | Pedaling for smooth legato melodies to contrast the chords |
A staple on almost every list of the best piano rock songs, this is one of the best classic rock songs with piano you can learn. The syncopated chords and strong rhythm create a funky, energetic feel while still being manageable to practice. Try keeping the chords crisp and slightly staccato to capture Elton John’s signature rock piano style.
Rock out with the piano
Whether you’re a rock fan eager to play your favorite hits or a beginner pianist exploring a new style, learning piano rock songs is a fun way to expand your skills and repertoire. Rock piano focuses on strong rhythm, clear chord progressions and expressive dynamics. These are all skills that quickly improve your piano playing.
With Skoove’s interactive online piano lessons, you can learn many of these rock songs on piano step by step while practicing with built-in tools like a metronome and guided hand-separate exercises. This tailored approach helps you stay in time and confidently perform your newfound favorite piano rock songs. Start exploring these iconic tracks today and begin your journey into the exciting world of rock piano. Keep rocking out!
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