[Beginner] Start Here: Classic Practice Pieces Recommended for Adult Piano Beginners
For beginner pianists, choosing practice pieces can be a real source of anxiety.
This is especially true if you’re starting to learn on your own as an adult—you may often wonder what pieces to choose to keep practice enjoyable and progressing smoothly.
When learning piano independently, there are two main approaches: focusing intensively on a limited selection of pieces, or practicing a balanced set of pieces that include a variety of technical elements while learning the basics of piano technique and music reading from the ground up.
In this article, we’ll introduce recommended practice pieces for those who prefer the latter approach and also want to build a solid foundation.
We’ve selected a wide range of pieces, from classical to popular, so feel free to start with whichever ones spark your interest.
- Recommended for piano beginners! 10 sheet music picks that adults can enjoy too
- [Piano Etudes] Recommended for Beginners! A Curated Selection of Easy, Playable Pieces
- [Beginner] Recommended for adult piano beginners! Beautiful & stylish piano pieces
- [Piano Beginners] J-POP That Looks Hard but Is Surprisingly Playable [2026]
- Beginner to Intermediate: Chopin pieces with relatively low difficulty. Recommended works by Chopin.
- [For Piano Beginners] How to Practice “Für Elise”
- [Free Piano Sheet Music] Beginner-Friendly! Carefully Selected Pieces Available for Immediate Download
- [For Piano Beginners] Play Right Now with Free Sheet Music! A Roundup of Recommended Practice Pieces
- Even beginners can play them easily on the piano! A curated selection of popular and latest J-POP songs.
- It’s so cool if you can play these on the piano! A selection of irresistibly charming masterpieces.
- [For Piano Recitals] Simple yet Cool Classical Pieces
- A must-see for piano beginners! Recommended training videos that are great for basic practice
- [Piano Pieces] Easy for Children to Play! A Roundup of Simple Classical Works
[Beginner] Start Here: Classic Practice Pieces Recommended for Adult Piano Beginners (11–20)
25 Etudes, Op. 100: No. 2 “Arabesque”Johann Burgmüller
Every piano student comes across Burgmüller’s 25 Easy and Progressive Studies at least once.
No.
2, “Arabesque,” from the collection composed in 1852 by the German composer Johann Burgmüller, is a highly popular piece with a driving, cool character.
The right hand’s rapid, intricate passages often come together smoothly and lend themselves well to increasing the tempo; the problem is the middle section in the left hand.
The moment the melody shifts to the left hand, many players can’t keep up with the tempo and the flow breaks down! Except in places where there are explicit instructions to slow down, aim to maintain the opening momentum by isolating troublesome spots and practicing them carefully and in detail.
The Splendor of YouthRichard Carpenter
Let’s look back on a classic by the Carpenters.
It portrays the feelings of someone seeking an ideal love while struggling with the gap between dreams and reality.
The gentle, delicate piano tones and Karen’s transparent, pure voice are striking, offering a comforting warmth that feels close to the listener’s heart.
Released in May 1976, the song topped the U.S.
Adult Contemporary chart.
In Japan, it drew renewed attention when it was used as the ending theme for the 1995 TBS drama “Miseinen” (Minors).
It’s a recommended piece for those wrestling with love or those seeking a beautiful, heart-stirring melody.
It’s also frequently performed at wind ensemble concerts, so many of you have likely heard it before.
Why not try tackling this masterpiece on the piano? The joy is even greater when you can play a song you already know!
Für EliseLudwig van Beethoven
A masterpiece by Ludwig van Beethoven that any piano student has dreamed of playing at least once! Not only is it famous as a piano piece, but it has also been arranged into pop and popular songs by various artists.
Its appeal lies in its variety: the gentle opening phrase that smoothly connects the left and right hands, the bright and brilliant middle section, and the later passage that feels like fierce anger.
Pay attention to the shifts in mood and play with plenty of expression and dynamic contrast!
Moon RiverHenry Mancini
It’s a masterpiece whose sweet melody resonates deep in the heart.
Known as the theme song from the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, it is beloved by many.
The lyrics impressively depict dreams, hopes, and a longing for the unknown in a symbolic way.
Characterized by a gentle slow waltz rhythm, it is also cherished as a jazz standard.
With its calm and romantic atmosphere, it’s a piece that deeply moves listeners.
It’s easy to try on a variety of instruments, not just piano, and because the slow waltz gives it a sweet feel, the sense of accomplishment is great even for beginners when they can play it.
There are many beginner-friendly arrangements, so choose sheet music that suits you and give it a try.
Hanon Piano Method No. 1Charles-Louis Hanon
The Hanon Piano Method is a classic textbook for finger exercises.
Because the patterns are simple, you don’t need to spend much time reading the notes, allowing you to focus firmly on the form and use of your fingers, hands, and arms while building technique.
However, a pitfall everyone encounters with Hanon is that it can feel boring—just a string of notes.
Indeed, simply playing mechanically arranged notes can make you yawn.
The key is to keep it interesting by varying the rhythms and dynamics as you go.
If you want to use Hanon but dislike monotonous practice, one option is to use materials arranged in a jazz style!
Passacaglia Harpsichord Suite No. 7 (HWV 432)Georg Friedrich Händel
This piece encapsulates the charm of Baroque music.
Built on a four-bar theme, it unfolds through 15 variations in which rhythm, melody, and harmony are artfully transformed.
Amid its majestic atmosphere, a rich musicality shines through, gripping the listener’s heart.
It is also popular as a keyboard study piece and is recommended for those who have just begun learning the piano.
As you savor the process by which complex music emerges from a simple theme, you can experience the profound depth of Baroque music.
It is a work that conveys the timeless appeal of Handel’s music.
[Beginner] Start with these practice pieces! Classic exercises recommended for adult piano beginners (21–30)
Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari
This song is the final work of a leading female singer in Japan’s pop music scene.
Its lyrics, which liken life to the flow of a river, are striking and celebrate the importance of living gently.
With a melody and words that resonate deeply, it has continued to be loved by many.
Released in January 1989, it sold over 1.5 million copies.
It’s the perfect song for moments when you’re struggling or standing still in life.
If you listen quietly, it’s sure to soothe your heart.
It’s a masterpiece filled with the singer’s philosophy of life, so please give it a try and master playing it!