[Beginner] Start Here: Classic Practice Pieces Recommended for Adult Piano Beginners

Musette in D majorJ.S.Bach

[Grade B Baroque] Anonymous (attributed to J.S. Bach): Musette in D major, BWV Anh. 126 (2025 PTNA Competition Required Piece) pf. Tomoyo Umemura

This piece, born from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach, where one can fully savor the charm of Baroque-era domestic music, is notable for its left-hand accompaniment pattern that imitates bagpipes.

Structured in ternary form, its bright and approachable melody moves between D major and A major, featuring rhythmically dance-like motion.

Compiled as part of the 1725 notebook and written with home music education in mind, it is not overly virtuosic and is easy to play.

It is especially recommended for those interested in Baroque music or for pianists looking to tackle a classical work.

The piece is also used in the anime Curious George, which likely explains why its familiarity continues to be loved today.

Pirates of the Caribbean: “He’s a Pirate”Hans Zimmer

[Easy Piano for Everyone] “He’s a Pirate” / Disney film Pirates of the Caribbean – Sheet Music with Do-Re-Mi Notation, Beginner Piano

This is a piece from a Disney work beloved around the world that even beginner pianists can play.

It features a bold, fast-paced orchestral sound and is built on a simple melody within a single octave.

The powerful percussion rhythm feels like a pirate ship surging over the waves.

Used in the end credits of a film released in 2003, it’s a grand piece that stirs the spirit of adventure.

Many piano scores are clear, arranged from the orchestral version, so it’s recommended to start by learning the basic melody and gradually aim to play with both hands.

Enjoy the majestic melody that seems to symbolize freedom, while recalling scenes from the movie.

Burgmüller 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 20 “Tarantella”Johann Burgmüller

Burgmüller: Tarantella, Op. 100 No. 20 | Cory Hall, pianist-composer

This is a passionate piece in 6/8 time, modeled on a traditional dance from southern Italy.

It features a vibrant, driving rhythm and light, graceful melodies, and was published in Paris in 1851.

Named after the southern Italian city of Taranto, the work skillfully captures the atmosphere of the folk dance that was actually performed there.

In the middle section, it modulates to the parallel major, shifting to a more brilliant character in a captivating structure.

With its sprightly rhythm and energetic melody, this piece is ideal for those who want to enjoyably build fundamental piano technique.

It also makes a wonderful choice for a recital, sure to captivate the audience.

French Suite No. 2, BWV 813: Menuet IJ.S.Bach

Bach French Suite No.2 “Menuet 1 & 2” P. Barton, FEURICH 133 piano

Beloved as an elegant dance in triple meter, this piece is part of a C minor suite composed around 1722–1725.

Its simple yet refined melody, set in binary form, is captivating, and its inclusion in the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach suggests it was intended for domestic performance.

While adopting a French-style dance form, it also conveys the distinctive beauty of Baroque-era polyphony.

With its relaxed tempo and absence of difficult passages or virtuosic demands, it is recommended for those wishing to try Baroque music or savor the depth of classical traditions.

By paying attention to tone color, expression, and dynamics, performers can enjoy its graceful world all the more.

Songs Without Words, Book I, Op. 19, No. 4: A Secret ConversationFelix Mendelssohn

Barenboim plays Mendelssohn Songs Without Words Op.19 No.4 in A Major

This is a gentle miniature whose calm, graceful melody seeps into the heart.

Written in 1830, the piece lets its melody flow as if singing, giving the impression of confiding a secret feeling to someone.

It’s approachable for anyone who can read music, built from a simple left-hand accompaniment and a richly expressive right-hand melody.

Its charm lies in a slow tempo that unfolds like storytelling, and despite having no lyrics, it carries abundant emotional expression.

It’s an excellent choice for those who wish to savor the elegance of Romantic music or refine their expressive touch.

Why not take your time, enjoy the tranquil passage of time, and practice it with care?

“Butterflies,” Op. 2: No. 10, “Unmasking the Mask”Robert Schumann

Waltz in C major “Vivo” (Papillons, Op.2, No.10) – Robert Schumann

An early piano suite by Robert Schumann, captivating for its thrilling melodies and delicate expression.

Comprising just twelve short pieces, this work is a small collection of stories that musically depicts a masked ball.

Written in 1831, it reaches its dramatic climax in No.

10, vividly portraying the moment when masks are exchanged.

Inspired by literature, the music offers a world rich in Romantic lyricism while remaining accessible to beginners.

It’s perfect for those who have just started the piano or who want a sense of accomplishment with short pieces.

Since it isn’t technically demanding, it’s also ideal for honing expressive skills.

Carnaval, Op. 9 No. 2: PierrotRobert Schumann

Schumann. Carnaval Op. 9. 2. Pierrot. Partitura. Audición.

From the collection Carnaval, here is a short piece in which Robert Schumann portrays the clown Pierrot.

Noted for its introverted, wistful atmosphere, the piece features a steady, almost monotonous rhythm punctuated by sudden, leaping motions.

Though only about two minutes long and set in E-flat major, its effective use of pedal creates resonant sonorities that quietly depict Pierrot’s delicate emotional world.

Schumann composed this suite between 1834 and 1835, reflecting his romantic relationships and inner life in the music.

It’s recommended for those who have just begun learning the piano or who want to start with a short piece.

Since it doesn’t demand difficult techniques, focusing on expressive playing will let you fully savor the charm of Romantic-era music.