My students absolutely love learning River Flows In You by Yiruma. It’s a beautiful piece and it falls nicely under the hands. It is built upon a simple 4 chord harmonic pattern that repeats for the entire song and it only has a few technically challenging parts. You can read my short review of it and watch a video of me performing it here.
Every student that hears it loves it and wants to learn it too.
Often times, after students learn River Flows In You, they are eager to learn more music in a similar style.
(If you’re looking for sheet music for River Flows In You, you can find an instant download on Sheet Music Plus.)
It’s hard to find music *this* satisfying, so I’ve been collecting songs like River Flows In You to offer to students once they’re ready for something new.
Here are 4 piano pieces similar to River Flows In You + a collection of piano solos that students enjoy learning and playing:
Stars and Wind by Catherine Rollin
Stars and Wind is probably the most accessible of the 4. It follows an ABA form and there are several patterns to latch on to.
A hard copy of the sheet music is available on both Sheet Music Plus and Amazon.
May Be by Yiruma
When my students start exploring Yiruma’s other pieces, May Be is the next most popular choice. It has a beautiful melody and similar to River Flows In You, the keys fall nicely under your hands which makes it play easier than it sounds.
It’s available for instant download from Sheet Music Plus.
Cristofori’s Dream by David Lanz
Cristofori’s Dream is another beautiful piece that students love playing. Like River Flows In You, the left hand follows a 4-chord pattern for most of the piece.
It’s available for instant download on Sheet Music Plus.
The Vigil by David Nevue
The Vigil is a really diverse piece with a slow, meditative introduction, beautiful flowing passages as well as some exciting moments.
It is available for instant download on David Nevue’s website. If you scroll almost to the very bottom of the page, you’ll see the vigil near end of the list.
Also, if you’re looking for other music to teach, learn or play, I highly recommend piano arrangements by Philip Keveren. Check out these pieces, which are all available for instant download on Sheet Music Plus.
- Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
- Paradise by Coldplay
- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
- And So It Goes by Billy Joel
- Fix You by Cold Play
- Fields Of Gold By Sting
Be sure to check out these other Very Piano blog posts that might interest you:
Lovely suggestions. I adore Nuvole Bianche https://youtu.be/IH2KrGjKXw0
I feel I really need to work on a nice legato technique. It’s not as easy as most would think, at least for me. So I don’t know that I could do these lovely flowing tunes justice.
Thank you for your blog posts.
Thank you for introducing me to David Nevue! His music is beautiful. Why is he not more well known?! Also would like to suggest Souvenirs d’Enfance by Richard Clayderman. It’s not too difficult to play but sounds intricate and beautiful.
I happened upon your site and then saw that you are in Tulsa. I took lessons under Georgann Gasaway in Tulsa from 1976-1982. My stepmother is LaVonne Hunt who was also a piano teacher is Tulsa. You’re probably too young to know them.
I have recently bought a casio privia and am trying to relearn some piano pieces. My favorite is Mozart fantasie in D. I am very rusty 🙂 I think I will give Cristofori’s dream a shot!
Wow, what a small world! I have definitely heard about Georgann Gasaway. She seems like such a well-loved teacher. I’m sure your skills will come right back with a little practice.