[For 6-year-olds] A curated selection of standout pieces for piano recitals!
Age six marks a milestone, with kindergarten graduation and the start of elementary school! At this stage, children’s bodies—including their hands and arms—become more robust, and their piano keystrokes grow stronger.
For a piano recital at this time, pieces that help them learn techniques to change tone color and expression through touch are recommended.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected piano pieces that are perfect for six-year-olds and that will shine on the recital stage.
When choosing recital pieces, it’s important to pick music that not only fosters technical and expressive growth but is also fun to play.
We hope this helps you find a favorite piece for your child or student.
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[For 6-year-olds] A selection of standout pieces for piano recitals! (21–30)
Children’s Music Concert, Op. 210: No. 15 “Little Romance”Cornelius Gurlitt
Cornelius Gurlitt’s “Little Romance” is notable for its charming, music-box-like melody.
It’s included in many beginner-level piano collections and is also a popular choice for recitals.
Because it’s built from gentle broken chords and a simple single-line melody, even children who have only recently started learning piano should find it approachable.
To perform it more beautifully in a recital hall, aim to play with careful attention to the balance between the right and left hands.
Jungle FeverCatherine Rollin
Jungle Fever by the American composer Catherine Rollin—who has published many pieces for beginner pianists and children—is one of the pieces in Beanie Zoo, a piano collection featuring works inspired by animals.
Its lively rhythm and rock flavor make it a perfect choice for recitals, exciting not only the performer but the audience as well! The left-hand accompaniment can be played by learning just three positions, so it’s an easy piece to tackle even for those not yet comfortable with two-handed playing.
Children’s Album – 24 Easy Pieces, Op. 39: No. 8 “Waltz”Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The piece often performed at piano recitals featuring elementary school children and preschoolers is “Children’s Album – 24 Easy Pieces, Op.
39, No.
8 ‘Waltz.’” It is said to have been composed by Tchaikovsky when he was 38, and it’s perfect for getting accustomed to the waltz.
While the difficulty is manageable even for beginners, children with less-developed fine motor skills may find the staccato passages challenging.
Waltzes with frequent staccato are quite rare, so please give it a try.
Waltz of Hansel and GretelTamaru Nobuaki
This is a charming waltz that feels like the well-known brother and sister from the Grimm fairy tales are holding hands and dancing in the forest.
The piece appears in the text Piano Dream 3, published in May 1998, and its appeal lies in how it invites you to play while imagining a story.
The buoyant triple meter seems to express the excitement of discovering a house made of sweets.
Because it’s easy to grasp the imagery of the piece, it’s perfect for a four-year-old who wants to express their feelings through music.
It would be wonderful to play it with the feeling of becoming the story’s protagonist and enjoy the performance.
Howl’s Moving Castle ‘Merry-Go-Round of Life’Hisaishi Joe
The waltz-style piece that serves as the main theme of Studio Ghibli’s masterpiece film Howl’s Moving Castle captivates with the orchestra’s rich harmonies and a dreamlike atmosphere.
Its elegant 3/4-time melody splendidly captures the world of the film, which was released in November 2004.
Beginning with a piano introduction, the work weaves beautiful lines from the oboe and strings, resulting in a refined character that reflects the influence of European classical music.
In 2021, singer Kumiko covered the piece and released it as a single.
It’s a highly recommended piece for boys who want to perform at a recital, combining both brilliance and strength that will enthrall the audience.
Hunting SongCornelius Gurlitt
Cornelius Gurlitt, a German composer active in the 19th century, is known for collections aimed at piano beginners and children.
“Hunting Song” is one piece from his piano collection Kinder-Musikfest, Op.
210.
Although it is a very short piece, its energetic development vividly depicts a scene of the hunt and is sure to impress at recitals.
The frequent slurs and leaps of a seventh may feel a bit challenging for children with small hands.
Practice hand position changes carefully to achieve a richly expressive performance.
Indian danceWilliam Gillock
This piece, inspired by Native American culture and rhythms, captivates with its simple yet powerful pulse and distinctive melody.
The drum-like accompaniment in the left hand is striking, while the right-hand melody unfolds in response.
Combining a steady beat with triplets, the work brims with the vigor and dynamism that many boys admire.
Included in the album “Two Indian Dances,” it also stands out for encouraging expressive playing as performers imagine the culture and stories behind the music.
Written in G major, its bright and lively character is sure to shine in recitals and competitions.