[Piano Recital] Recommended for Boys! A Curated Selection of Cool, Impressive, and Popular Pieces
Speaking of piano lessons, there used to be an image that they were for girls, but these days—perhaps due to the influence of video sites, social media, and the street piano trend—more and more boys want to learn piano as well.
As a result, many parents are enrolling their sons with the hope that “I want my son to be able to play too!” And one milestone they’ll almost certainly encounter is the piano recital.
In this article, we introduce stylish, stage-ready pieces that are perfect for boys as candidate pieces for the recital that every child taking piano lessons is bound to experience.
Why not pick out some possibilities early so your child can answer when the teacher asks, “Is there anything you’d like to play?”
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- [Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals Too]
- [For Piano Recitals] Simple yet Cool Classical Pieces
- [Piano Recital] Perfect Pieces for Middle Schoolers! A Curated Selection of Impressive, Audience-Pleasing Works
- [For 6-year-olds] A curated selection of standout pieces for piano recitals!
- It’s so cool if you can play these on the piano! A selection of irresistibly charming masterpieces.
- Piano Masterpieces: Surprisingly Easy Despite Sounding Difficult!? A Curated Selection Perfect for Recitals
- [Popular Piano] Capture the Audience’s Attention! Recommended Pop Songs That Shine at Piano Recitals
- [Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Classical Pieces Recommended for Upper Elementary School Students
- [For Intermediate Players] Challenge Yourself! Recommended Masterpieces That Shine at Piano Recitals
- [Beginner] Recommended Piano Pieces to Play at a Recital
- [Classical Music] All pieces under 3 minutes! A collection of short and cool piano pieces
- [For 5-year-olds] A curated selection of recommended pieces for a piano recital!
[Piano Recital] Recommended for Boys! A Curated Selection of Cool and Impressive Popular Pieces (31–40)
Happy WitchJane Bastien
“The Happy Witch,” composed by William Bastien, draws you into a mysterious atmosphere that sets it apart from standard recital pieces.
With few notes, it’s approachable even for children just starting the piano, yet it contains many important elements for creating the mood, such as crisp staccato and effective use of silence.
It’s best to imagine scenes from picture books, anime, or films where witches or wizards move in an eerie way, and shape the music as if performing a segment of a play.
Children’s Album, Vol. 1: ‘Picture Book of Boyhood’, No. 5 ‘Étude’Aram Khachaturian
The fifth piece, “Etude,” from Armenian-Russian composer Aram Khachaturian’s piano collection Children’s Album, Book 1: Pictures of Childhood—famous for works like Sabre Dance and Masquerade—is a piece that many children tackle as a competition set piece or recital number.
It’s packed with rhythms and techniques piano students will want to master, including continuous staccato eighth notes, the distinctive 3+3+2 rhythm, and repeated notes on the same pitch.
Above all, it’s stylish and makes a brilliant impression—perfect for recitals.
Be sure to check it out.
Gypsy Dance (Dance of the Gypsies)Heinrich Lichner
This passionate work in D minor is widely loved as a short piece influenced by Romani music.
It is characterized by a continuous stream of sixteenth notes in the right hand and a lively rhythm that creates an exotic atmosphere.
From measure 85, there is an instruction to play “with heart, and sustain the tones fully,” calling for an expressively rich performance.
From the vibrant opening, through the contrasting middle section, to the brilliant finale, the unfolding that captivates the audience is striking.
This piece is recommended for those who want to develop their musical expressiveness or present a distinctive performance at a recital.
In particular, its rhythmic character and approachable melody make it perfect for bringing out the abilities of a third-grade elementary school student.
Fantasy Pieces: Flight, Op. 12 No. 2Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann’s masterpiece “Fantasiestücke, No.
2 ‘Aufschwung,’ Op.
12.” It’s often performed at piano recitals, so many of you may be familiar with it.
In terms of difficulty, it’s slightly harder than Chopin’s ‘Minute Waltz,’ making it a popular choice as a piece for intermediate players.
A key point in this work is the right hand from measure 17.
If you focus too much on clearly bringing out the top voice, the sound can become hard, so try to play with an awareness of the horizontal flow.
Lupin the Third Theme ’78Ōno Yūji
The theme song of the nationally beloved anime Lupin the Third, widely known even among generations who didn’t watch it in real time! The arrangement of the theme varies depending on the era the anime was broadcast, but isn’t “Lupin the Third Theme ’78” probably the most popular and well-loved? Just hearing the cool, rhythmic intro gets everyone pumped—kids included, across all generations! If you perform it at a recital, not only will the player feel great while playing, but the audience will be grooving along too!
[Piano Recital] Recommended for Boys! A Curated Selection of Cool, Impressive Popular Pieces (41–50)
Burgmüller 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 20 “Tarantella”Johann Burgmüller
This is a passionate piece in 6/8 time, modeled on a traditional dance from southern Italy.
It features a vibrant, driving rhythm and light, graceful melodies, and was published in Paris in 1851.
Named after the southern Italian city of Taranto, the work skillfully captures the atmosphere of the folk dance that was actually performed there.
In the middle section, it modulates to the parallel major, shifting to a more brilliant character in a captivating structure.
With its sprightly rhythm and energetic melody, this piece is ideal for those who want to enjoyably build fundamental piano technique.
It also makes a wonderful choice for a recital, sure to captivate the audience.
Masquerade Ball ‘Waltz’Aram Khachaturian
The waltz in 3/4 time, both glamorous and tinged with melancholy, was used in the ballroom scene of the film War and Peace, beautifully enhancing the setting.
It opens with a powerful introduction, and in the middle section weaves in lyrical melodies that vividly conjure the image of an elegantly dancing couple.
This piece was also used in Mao Asada’s performance at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, where she won the silver medal, captivating the audience.
Combining strength and delicacy, it is a fitting selection for an upper-elementary school recital.
Precisely because students’ technical skills are advancing at this stage, they can take on the challenge of a richly expressive performance.