Counting Stars easy piano tutorial for beginners

Counting Stars is one of those pop songs that just feels good to play. Its steady rhythm, repeating chord pattern,and singable melody make it a fantastic choice for beginner pianists.

Released by OneRepublic in 2013, the song quickly became a global hit with its uplifting message and infectious chorus. It’s still one of the band’s most recognizable tracks.

In this step-by-step tutorial, Skoove shows you how to play Counting Stars on the piano. You don’t need years of experience or complex sheet music to get started. With just a handful of simple chords and a bit of guidance, you’ll be playing along in no time. Let’s dive in and bring this energetic song to life!

Video tutorial

Find the full beginner arrangement of Amazing Grace on piano. Start a free trial today!

What are Counting Stars piano notes?

This arrangement of Counting Stars is in the key of C major, which means you’ll only be using white keys, no sharps or flats to worry about! We’ve spelled out the full melody with our interactive video tutorial and on the Skoove app.

Chord chart

The entire song is built around just four main chords:

Each of the Counting Stars piano chords are played with the right hand using three fingers. Try this hand position:

• Thumb (1),
• Middle finger (3),
• Pinky (5).

These chords repeat in a loop and form the foundation for both the verse and the chorus. It’s one of the reasons this song is such a great fit for beginners you don’t have to learn new chords for every section.

Lesson plan

Step 1: Listen to the song

Start by listening to Counting Stars by OneRepublic a few times. Focus on the rhythm and the way the chords loop throughout the song.

Step 2: Practice the Counting Stars chords

Take a look at the chord chart above and practice each of the four chords: C, G, A minor and F. Start with your right hand playing full chords and your left hand playing the root note. If you need any more help with this the Skoove app is always there to help!

Step 3: Try the melody in the right hand

Now let’s move on to the right-hand melody. Use the sheet music from the app as a guide and focus on short sections at a time. This arrangement uses simple note patterns and clear finger numbers, so it’s great for building confidence.

Step 4: Learn the left-hand accompaniment

Once the melody feels comfortable, spend some time practicing the left-hand part. In this arrangement, the left hand mostly plays single bass notes.

Step 5: Play both hands together

Now bring both hands together. Loop smaller phrases until the coordination feels natural, then gradually build up to full sections. The video tutorial and the Skoove app can help here, using the built-in metronome and loop feature to repeat difficult spots until they feel natural.

Ready to play even more?

You’ve now learned how to play Counting Stars on piano. That’s a big achievement, especially if you’re just getting started on your piano journey.

What is the next step? You can bring everything to life inside the Skoove app. You’ll get interactive guidance, a helpful video tutorial and instant feedback to keep you on track. Keep practicing and we’ll be right here to help you play your next favorite song.

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Author of this blog post:
Susana Pérez Posada

With over seven years in piano education and a deep passion for music therapy, Susana brings a unique blend of expertise to Skoove. A graduate in Music Therapy from SRH Hochschule Heidelberg and an experienced classical pianist from Universidad EAFIT, she infuses her teaching with a holistic approach that transcends traditional piano lessons. In her writings for Skoove, Susana combines her rich musical knowledge with engaging storytelling, enriching the learning experience for pianists of all levels. Away from the piano, she loves exploring new places and immersing herself in a good book, believing these diverse experiences enhance her creative teaching style.