Gift Guide: For Pianists and Piano Lovers
Pianos can serve every possible musical purpose, from substitute orchestras to rock-and-roll anchors. Few instruments are as versatile or beloved — and the video game music world is no different. Whether your special someone is a pianist or just a fan of the eighty-eight keys, we’ve got a whole list of piano-centric gifts to tickle their ivories.
Video Game Sheet Music: For Beginner Pianists
The Legend of Zelda Series for Easy Piano
The Zelda series has been beloved for literally decades, and it appeals to gamers of all ages and skill levels. This book lets everyone who loves Zelda play their favorite songs from the games. There's a whopping 33 tracks in here, from the very first two Legend of Zelda games on the NES through Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and more.
Super Mario Series for Easy Piano
Another absolutely iconic series that has been a fundamental part of gaming history, with instantly recognizable themes. This book includes no fewer than 34 tracks covering 25 years of Super Mario history. We're not just talking about the main Mario games, either; it includes classics from Dr. Mario, Mario Kart (what collection would be complete without "Rainbow Road"?), and more. If you want an easy-to-play book of music everyone will know, you can't do better than this.
Minecraft: Volume Alpha
Minecraft might not be decades old like Zelda or Mario, but it's still one of the most popular games of all time. And part of that is the piano-focused soundtrack, which is perfect for relaxing, exploring new areas, building your dream home, and trying not to get destroyed by creepers. These 19 tracks are perfectly playable even by younger gamers who grew up on the game. And, as you might have noticed if you've read our Gifts Under $20 guide, this one is extremely budget-friendly too!
Video Game Sheet Music: For Intermediate Pianists
Moss Piano Selections
Moss Piano Selections is a very recent release, so it might be new to you (and to the person you're shopping for)! The complex folk soundtrack of this charming fantasy VR game has been faithfully arranged for intermediate-level pianists, although there are a few tracks that are a little easier or a little harder based on the original melody. And if you've got a pianist and a singer in your life, there's even a bonus vocal track with piano accompaniment that would be right at home at a recital (or home concert).
Wizard of Legend Piano Collections
Buy Wizard of Legend Piano Collections (sheet music)
Composer Dale North’s whimsical, otherworldly Wizard of Legend soundtrack has gotten the pianistic treatment here. The music is worth exploring on its own, but players who have died repeatedly to the game’s roguelike machinations might get extra satisfaction out of conquering these pieces. Better yet, they were arranged by the pianist who performed them, so they’re sure to fit nicely in the fingers.
Journey™ – Sheet Music Selections
Buy Journey™ Sheet Music Selections
Journey’s soundtrack was as groundbreaking as its game, receiving a Grammy nomination and other recognition both within and outside of the gaming world. Multi-instrumentalist Laura Intravia (you might know her from her flute and vocal performances, but she’s a skilled pianist and arranger too!) has arranged six of Austin Wintory’s compositions for intermediate pianists. Those who know the music will be able to recreate it faithfully, but these tunes have strong crossover appeal for non-gamers, too.
Video Game Sheet Music: For Advanced Pianists
Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses
Buy The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses (sheet music)
Zelda has been a bedrock of game music since the first mass of little green pixels (not Zelda herself, it turned out) walked across the first Nintendo screen. Symphony of the Goddesses is a four-movement orchestral Zelda extravaganza, spanning thirty years of gaming history. The touring concert series has been masterfully arranged for solo piano featuring highlights from the series — anyone who has ever played a Zelda game will recognize at least one of these tunes! Comfy for advanced pianists, a nice challenge for intermediate ones.
Hollow Knight Piano Collections
Buy Hollow Knight Piano Collections (sheet music)
Even gamers who balk at platformers or metroidvanias love Hollow Knight for its artwork, lore, and evocative soundtrack. Its melancholy musical colors lend themselves perfectly to solo piano, as these arrangements deftly illustrate. Some of the pieces do tend towards the more difficult side of things — like the game, this sheet music may be best for those who like a challenge.
Stardew Valley Piano Collections
Buy Stardew Valley Piano Collections (sheet music)
Before there was Animal Crossing: New Horizons, there was Stardew Valley. The world discovered the joys of the simple (virtual) farmer’s life in 2016, and the game’s peaceful, retro-inspired soundtrack contributed mightily to the game’s success. The game continues to hold a place in our hearts and in our lives, whenever we need to get away from the stresses of the real world. Pretty much anyone who’s picked up a video game and plays the piano will appreciate this one, though the music is deceptively hard for a game that so many people find soothing!
Video Game Sheet Music: For All Kinds of Pianists
Disasters for Piano, Second Edition
Buy Disasters for Piano (sheet music)
A solid 155-page volume (!), this book features arrangements of composer Disasterpeace’s work — game music (including from his acclaimed FEZ soundtrack), film music, and just regular old music-music. The selections are thoughtfully arranged to suit pianists of different skill levels: if the first thirteen are too complicated, try the less challenging “reductions” in the second half of the book! Also comes bundled with a PDF version, for modern pianists who only use tablets.
UNDERTALE Complete Piano Score
If you thought some of these other books were impressive with 30+ tracks, consider this book, the complete, entire, every song-in-the-game piano score for UNDERTALE, a game which probably needs no introduction since it took the world by storm in 2015. (Yes, even "Long Elevator" is in here.) That comes to a grand total of 101 tracks, which range in difficulty from "Once Upon a Time" (easy) to "Megalovania" (definitely not easy). What this means is that there's something in this book that can be played at pretty much any skill level. Some books focus on beautifully artistic interpretations, but this one seeks to stay true to the original songs, and it does so masterfully.
DELTARUNE Incomplete Piano Score
DELTARUNE Chapter 1 came out in 2018, and while we're still waiting for the full game to be released, the first chapter has still given us plenty of great music to love. Think of this book like a companion to the UNDERTALE Complete Piano Score — again, it's every song from the game (40 tracks) arranged to follow the original score closely. If you're shopping for an UNDERTALE fan who already has everything, chances are high that they also love DELTARUNE, so this might be a good choice for them.