[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.
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[Beginner] Start with this for your first practice piece! Classic practice songs recommended for adult piano beginners (41–50)
French Suite No. 2, BWV 813 – CouranteJ.S.Bach
Among the French Suites, this piece is filled with dance-like charm, distinguished by its elegant triple meter and flowing melody.
Composed between 1722 and 1725, it is a Baroque masterpiece that blends French and Italian dance styles into a refined work.
Though it has no lyrics, the music itself speaks, and its expressive, richly contoured melody conjures images of graceful courtly dances.
Despite its relaxed tempo, it weaves in complex rhythms, making it recommended both for those aiming to develop performance technique and theoretical understanding, and for listeners who want to savor the allure of Baroque music.
Composed for educational purposes, it combines ease of playing with artistic depth.
[Beginner] Start here for your first practice pieces! Classic exercises recommended for adult piano beginners (51–60)
CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LAKiyooka Chiho
CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA from Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama, the world-famous Japanese manga artist.
It’s probably also one of the most popular anime songs people want to play on piano.
The sixteenth-note runs in the intro seem difficult, but your hand position doesn’t change—you just need to play them fast.
Start by learning the note positions and fingering, and practice slowly at first.
The left-hand accompaniment is simple; if the number of notes feels like too much, playing just the first note as a quarter note should still work.
You probably have lots of favorite anime songs, and this left-hand accompaniment pattern shows up often, so once you learn it, you can apply it to other pieces.
If you lock in the syncopation in the vocal section, it will really sound like popular-style piano.
Level up your sight-reading power, and when the music hits the exciting parts, try to play with as much energy as if you were throwing a Spirit Bomb!
Allegro in C major, K. 1b, from the Nannerl NotebookWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
If you like friendly, short pieces, this is one you should definitely try.
Composed by a genius who left behind over 600 works in his lifetime, it was written at the age of just five for his sister, Maria Anna Mozart.
Despite its brief performance time of about nine seconds, its clear, light rhythm leaves a pleasant impression.
Written in C major, this simple binary-form piece has easily understandable chord progressions, making it easy to practice.
It’s recommended for those just starting to learn the piano or anyone interested in classical music.
Playing this work lets you glimpse the origins of the young prodigy composer’s musical sensitivity and expressive power.
Aura LeeGeorge Rodway Poulton
Aura Lee is an American popular folk song that is included in Japanese elementary school music textbooks and is well loved in Japan.
It is also known as the original tune for legendary American rock star Elvis Presley’s famous song Love Me Tender.
Its simple, catchy melody stays within a single octave, and the rhythm uses only quarter notes and half notes, making it very straightforward.
Take your time practicing while learning to read the notes and remember their durations.
Pirates of the Caribbean: “He’s a Pirate”Hans Zimmer
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.
GreensleevesInguranndo min’yō
Even if you don’t recognize the title “Greensleeves,” most people will go, “Oh, that tune!” the moment they hear the melody.
Known as a traditional English folk song, this piece is a beloved classic around the world.
There are many piano solo arrangements available, and if you choose one with simple accompaniment, even beginners can enjoy giving it a try.
Add crescendos and decrescendos to shape the dynamics and aim for an expressive performance.
French Suite No. 1, BWV 812: Minuet IIJ.S.Bach
Among the French Suites, this dance is especially approachable and perfect as an introduction to Baroque music.
Composed around 1722, it is also included in the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach, making it a warm, home-oriented piece.
It has an elegant yet introspective atmosphere, with Bach’s characteristic counterpoint woven throughout, but the technical demands are kept moderate, making it comfortable to play.
It is usually performed together with Minuet I, and its gentle yet profound expressiveness resonates quietly with listeners.
It’s a recommended piece for those who want to try Baroque music or hone their expressive skills.