Summer by Joe Hisaishi Piano Tutorial

📊 Level: Intermediate to Advanced

This piece sounds carefree, but it is driven by nonstop motion. The left hand bounces in repeated patterns almost the whole time, while the right hand spins quick melodic cells and later expands into fuller chord writing. Bars 4-8 introduce the main idea, bars 20-32 broaden it, and the ending relaxes with a `rit.`.

✋ Left hand

The left hand is the engine. Early bars alternate patterns like B-F-B-F-G and A-E-A-E-D, then later sections widen into thicker bass-and-chord figures. Keep the motion springy and economical. If the left hand gets heavy, the piece loses its lightness.

🤚 Right hand

The right hand mixes short melodic bursts with chord flashes. Bars 4-8 already give you the bouncing tune, while bars 20-32 and 40-48 add thicker sonorities like repeated A-C-A or G-B-F shapes. Let the melody dance above the accompaniment.

🎯 Biggest challenge

Staying light and playful while both hands are moving almost constantly.

⚡ How to practice it

1. Drill bars 4-8 until the main rhythm feels natural.
2. Practice the left-hand patterns alone as repeating loops.
3. Isolate bars 20-32 because the texture becomes fuller there.
4. Keep the final `rit.` relaxed, not sentimental.

Summer is one of Joe Hisaishi's most famous melodies, written for Takeshi Kitano's film Kikujiro. Even outside the movie, the piece has had a long independent life because it captures something immediate and openhearted without sounding simplistic. That balance is a hallmark of Hisaishi at his best.

What makes the piece so memorable is its brightness. The rhythm moves lightly, the main theme feels generous and clear, and the harmony keeps the mood from becoming merely cheerful. There is a reflective edge underneath the warmth, which suits a film that blends humor, travel, and quiet loneliness.

On piano, Summer feels almost ideal. The melody sings naturally, and the accompaniment patterns create motion without clutter. It is a strong tutorial piece because it asks for both precision and ease: the rhythm must stay buoyant, but the line still needs lyrical shape. When played well, it sounds effortless in a way that actually takes real control.