A must-see for piano beginners! Carefully selected classic pieces you should play at least once
Do you assume that as a piano beginner there’s absolutely no way you can play famous pieces?
In fact, among classical works, there are many masterpieces that are approachable even for those who’ve only just started practicing the piano.
In this article, we’ve picked out classical pieces recommended for piano beginners!
We’ll introduce a wide range of piano works, as well as piano arrangements of orchestral pieces, from the Baroque era to the modern and contemporary periods.
You can choose to play just a section, or slow down the tempo and play at your own pace—enjoy performing great music in the way that suits you best!
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A must-see for piano beginners! A curated list of classic staples you should play at least once (1–10)
Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, K. 545, First MovementWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Among Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s sonatas, the Piano Sonata No.
16 in C major, K.
545, is one of the most widely known.
It is included in both the Sonata Album and the Sonatina Album, which many piano learners use as standard texts.
The first movement is especially beloved and is frequently performed at piano recitals.
To bring out the full charm of this bright and lively work, aim for even tone and precise rhythmic control in your performance.
Arabesque No. 1Claude Debussy
Claude Debussy, a composer of the French Impressionist school, wrote the early piano work Deux Arabesques, which is counted among his most famous pieces.
The term “arabesque” means “in the Arabic style” and refers to the curvilinear patterns found in Islamic art.
In this work, where arpeggios are used extensively, the beauty of interlacing curves seems to be rendered directly into music.
The rising and falling left-hand arpeggios and the right-hand melody, with a completely different rhythm, intertwine naturally and beautifully, weaving a soothing soundscape.
Composed around 1888 and revised in 1891, this piece is also very popular among adults who are beginning to learn the piano.
Gymnopédie No. 1Erik Satie
Erik Satie was a French composer active from the late 19th to the early 20th century.
This signature work of his is characterized by a gentle triple meter and beautiful harmonic sonorities.
Composed in 1888 when Satie was 22, it departs from conventional Romantic music with an innovative style that greatly influenced later Impressionist and minimalist music.
Its simple yet deeply expressive melodic line leaves a quiet afterglow in the listener’s heart.
It is also recommended for beginning pianists; by practicing slowly and steadily, you can fully savor the charm of classical music.
Maiden’s PrayerTekla Badarzewska
Maiden’s Prayer by the Polish composer Tekla Bądarzewska is a famous piece included in many piano anthologies.
With a sweet melody that perfectly suits the word “maiden,” the piece is memorable, but its many leaps make it quite challenging to play without wrong notes.
However, because the theme repeats in a simple structure, changing form like variations, it should not be difficult to read or memorize.
Since the melody is written in octave double notes, be careful not to let your hands stiffen in an open position, which can make the sound hard.
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, No. 1 in C major, BWV 846, PreludeJ.S.Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach, the great composer known as the Father of Music.
This piece is one of his most famous works alongside “Minuet” and “Air on the G String,” and its difficulty is at an intermediate level.
It is a somewhat unusual piece in that, in competitions, a straightforward performance without much rubato or dynamic shaping tends to be rated more highly.
Since the opening right-hand sixteenth notes and pedal work can easily create dynamic contrasts, aiming to play those sections lightly and with a delicate touch will lead to a better performance.
Be sure to check it out.
