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! Carefully selected classic pieces you should play at least once (11–20)
Piano Sonata K. 545 in C majorWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
This work harmoniously blends a serene, graceful melody with a light, sprightly rhythm.
Composed in three movements, it brims with the charm of feeling as though you are listening to a single story.
The first movement is marked by a bright, refreshing theme; the second unveils a gentle character, exuding elegance; and the third delights with a playful, luminous melody that lifts the heart.
Written in June 1788, the piece showcases Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s delicate technique and rich expressiveness to the fullest, offering a sound that is both dazzling and refined.
Filled with heartwarming melodies and the unique appeal of the piano, it is a highly recommended choice for those seeking a change of mood or a moment of calm.
French Suite No. 6, BWV 817 – GavotteJ.S.Bach
Among the suites composed during the Baroque era, this piece is notable for its clear duple meter and approachable melody.
Written around 1722 to 1725 for educational purposes, it beautifully fuses French elegance with German structural rigor.
As a valuable work that conveys the atmosphere of courtly dance to the present day, it demands both expressiveness and technique from the performer, yet it remains accessible thanks to the relative scarcity of difficult phrases or virtuosic passages.
It is recommended for those who have only recently started playing the piano or who wish to try Baroque music, and by practicing with an emphasis on tone and expression, one can perform while sensing the ambiance of the court of that time.
Happiness, Opus 292-6Gustav Lange
Marked by graceful melodies and rhythmic playing, this work is a beautiful piano piece that combines refinement with brilliance.
It fully captures the charm of salon music that gained popularity in 19th-century Europe, with gentle, elegant melodies that soothe the listener’s heart.
Its richly sonorous harmonies and a simple yet emotionally expressive melodic line are woven together in an exquisite balance, making it a joy to perform with nuance and expressiveness.
Ideal for home settings or small gatherings, it has long been cherished as one of Gustav Lange’s signature works.
Highly recommended for those who wish to share a sense of happiness through music or are seeking a piece with an elegant atmosphere.
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.
“Butterflies,” Op. 2, No. 12: “Final Scene and the Returning Brothers”Robert Schumann
The twelfth piece, the finale of Robert Schumann’s Op.
2 Papillons, is an elegant miniature depicting the end of a masquerade ball.
Published in 1831, it delicately portrays the ball’s conclusion and the participants’ journey home.
Light yet sentimental in atmosphere, it is notable for its quotation of the traditional “Grandfather’s Dance” melody.
In the closing measures, the sound gradually fades, evoking the image of the ballroom lights being extinguished one by one.
This piece is recommended for pianists who have mastered the basics and wish to explore the rich expressiveness of the Romantic era.
Savor Schumann’s poetic world while cherishing the music’s narrative quality.