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[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.

[Beginner] Start with this for your first practice piece! Classic practice songs recommended for adult piano beginners (41–50)

Minuet in F major, K. 2Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

[Grade A1 Classic] W. A. Mozart: Minuet in F major, K. 2 (2025 PTNA Competition Required Piece) pf. Nozomu Sugawara
Minuet in F major, K. 2Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Composed when Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was six years old, this piece features a simple yet charming melody and a graceful triple-meter rhythm that leave a strong impression.

Although it has few chords and is structured almost like two voices, it employs key changes and deceptive cadences, making it ideal for studying tonality and harmonic progressions.

Frequently used in lessons as a piece well-suited to early stages of piano study, it’s highly recommended for those who want to build a solid foundation in piano or who are interested in classical music.

Why not experience a glimpse of Mozart’s musical genius through this work?

French Suite No. 2, BWV 813 – Minuet IIJ.S.Bach

J.S. Bach: French Suite No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 813: VI. Menuet II (BWV 813a)
French Suite No. 2, BWV 813 – Minuet IIJ.S.Bach

This is an elegant dance from the French Suites, brimming with the beauty of Baroque music.

Composed around 1722, it masterfully fuses the solemnity of the key of C minor with the dignified rhythm characteristic of the minuet, allowing you to fully savor the polyphonic world Bach constructed.

Because the technical difficulty is relatively modest, it serves as an ideal piece for those wishing to venture into Baroque repertoire or learn the expressive use of ornamentation.

The work is structured in ABA form and reveals a wide range of character depending on the performer’s interpretation and phrasing choices.

You can also enjoy exploring tonal colors when playing the original harpsichord piece on the piano.

Polonaise in G minor (BWV Anh. 119)J.S.Bach

This piece included in the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach is a brief yet captivating work in the form of the Polish folk dance, the Polonaise.

Its G minor tonality evokes a wistful atmosphere, and the dignified triple meter leaves a strong impression, conveying profound emotion despite its simplicity.

As one of the pieces composed for the notebook prepared for his wife in 1725, it reflects both domestic warmth and educational intent.

Structured in a typical two-part A-A-B-B form, it lasts about one minute, making it approachable not only for technical study but also for developing expressive skills.

It is an excellent choice for those who want to explore Baroque-style polyphony or learn a refined dance form.

When Marnie Was There

Fine On The OutsidePriscilla Ahn

Ghibli film “When Marnie Was There” theme song [Fine On The Outside] piano for beginners with Do-Re-Mi subtitles, both hands
Fine On The OutsidePriscilla Ahn

Many listeners must have been moved by the crystalline vocals and acoustic resonance.

The theme song for the film “When Marnie Was There” is a deeply personal piece that Priscilla Ahn, its writer, created in 2005 based on her own experiences of loneliness during her girlhood.

While pretending to be fine on the outside, the protagonist Anna quietly carries a sense of isolation, and the song aligns with her feelings beautifully, striking straight to the heart.

The track is also included on the album “Just Know That I Love You.” To convey the bittersweet melody with rich emotion, the key is to begin playing with a soft, delicate touch.

By letting the quiet, hidden feelings surface in the sound, your performance will resonate deeply with listeners.

Kiki's Delivery Service

First workday of the yearHisaishi Joe

[Free Sheet Music] Back to Work Level 2 [Beginner Piano]
First workday of the yearHisaishi Joe

This is an unforgettable piece with a buoyant 4/4 rhythm that plays when the protagonist heads out for her very first job in Kiki’s Delivery Service.

A mandolin-like accompaniment intertwines with a charming, flute-like melody, carrying with it the exhilaration of soaring over European cityscapes and a feeling of hope.

The music captures the thrill of taking a new step, and the melody is so approachable that you’ll find it a joy to perform, as if stepping right into the world of the story.

When you play this piece, cherish a light, skipping rhythm.

As you imagine the heroine flying straight through the sky, add expressive nuance to your sound and perform—an ode that has been loved ever since the film’s 1989 release.

Pom Poko

Someone at any timekōryū

[Playable for Beginners] Someone's Always There (Heisei Tanuki War Ponpoko) Easy Piano Arrangement with Do-Re-Mi Notation, Slow Tempo, One-Finger, One-Hand Only, or Both Hands
Someone at any timekōryū

This is the song that graces the ending of the 1994 film Pom Poko, with a melody that feels nostalgic and warm, resonating in the heart.

The acoustic, borderless sound—featuring instruments like the sanshin banjo—gently envelops the film’s finale.

The piece carries a message of not forgetting the places you hold dear even when you leave your hometown, and a hope that hardships can one day be overcome—echoing the raccoons’ story and touching the heart.

It’s a calm ballad, so the key is to play in a way that lets the melody sing.

Since the melody and accompaniment are clearly defined, it’s perfect for those who want to get used to playing with both hands.

Let the warm chords ring out carefully and try to express the original track’s comforting, embracing feel.

The Secret World of Arrietty

Arrietty’s SongCecile Corbel

Cécile Corbel “Arrietty’s Song” The Secret World of Arrietty [How to Play on Piano – Absolutely Playable Even for Beginners!] Level ☆
Arrietty's SongCecile Corbel

Many people have surely been captivated by Cécile Corbel’s translucent voice and the magical sound of her harp! The theme song from the film “The Secret World of Arrietty” features a beautiful melody and a relaxed tempo, making it easy to perform.

The work is also known for winning the Tokyo Anime Award for Music in 2011.

The lyrics seem to embody the earnest feelings of the tiny protagonist and a way of life in harmony with nature.

To recreate this delicate worldview, the key is to play lightly and fluidly, like harp arpeggios.

If you aim for a whisper-soft, gentle tone, you can achieve a highly polished performance even with fewer notes.