[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?”
Playlist
| [Piano Recital] Recommended for Boys! A Curated Selection of Cool, Impressive, and Popular Pieces | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | Little Negro (Cakewalk)Claude Debussy |  play_arrow | Cakewalk, the lively dance steps of Black people, … |
| 2 | Howl’s Moving Castle ‘Merry-Go-Round of Life’Hisaishi Joe |  play_arrow | The theme song of Howl’s Moving Castle is captivating. |
| 3 | Carnival BallWilliam Gillock |  play_arrow | A passionate piece with the charm of samba rhythm |
| 4 | Wiener MarchCarl Czerny |  play_arrow | Charming piano pieces of Austria |
| 5 | pirateRoger Grove |  play_arrow | An up-tempo book with a pirate adventure theme… |
| 6 | Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride – ‘Engaging in the Flames of War’sugiyama kouichi |  | The regular battle themes in video games are captivating. |
| 7 | Dance of the SwineherdBartók Béla |  play_arrow | An enchanting piece of Hungarian folk dance music |
| 8 | TarantellaWilliam Gillock |  | Ame…, who left behind numerous piano collections for children, |
| 9 | scramble crossinghashimoto kouichi |  play_arrow | A dynamic piece that expresses the hustle and bustle of the city through irregular time signatures |
| 10 | Indian danceWilliam Gillock |  play_arrow | Powerful music with Indigenous rhythms, brimming with dynamism |
| 11 | Fantaisie-ImpromptuFrederic Chopin |  play_arrow | One of the leading composers of the Romantic era, Pola... |
| 12 | magicianWilliam Gillock |  play_arrow | William Gillock’s “The Magician” is light and... |
| 13 | Eight Concert Etudes: ToccatinaNikolai Girshevich Kapustin |  play_arrow | Nikolai, a Russian composer from Ukraine... |
| 14 | Brave SoldierCornelius Gurlitt |  play_arrow | A powerful march that stirs a boy’s heart |
| 15 | Chase the mysteryJuhara Ryoko |  play_arrow | A thrilling musical work with a sense of storytelling |
| 16 | Boys’ Merry-Go-RoundNiels Wilhelm Gade |  play_arrow | A lively and beautiful piano piece for children |
| 17 | Adorable TarantellaStreabbog |  play_arrow | I’ve only just started learning the piano, but using both hands... |
| 18 | speed carNakata Yoshinao |  play_arrow | Piano practice pieces that help you learn a sense of rhythm and expressiveness |
| 19 | Final Fantasy VII Piano Collections “One-Winged Angel”Uematsu Nobuo |  play_arrow | Piano masterpiece of the Sephiroth battle theme |
| 20 | Impromptu of the WindNakata Yoshinao |  play_arrow | A melody like a refreshing, free wind |
| 21 | AcrobatDmitri Shostakovich |  play_arrow | The Ro... who is highly esteemed as a symphonic composer |
| 22 | Eight Concert Etudes: PreludeNikolai Girshevich Kapustin |  play_arrow | Nikolai Girshevich Kapustin sa... |
| 23 | Jazz PreludeWilliam Gillock |  play_arrow | William Gillock's piano collection “Jazz...” |
| 24 | Turkish MarchWolfgang Amadeus Mozart |  play_arrow | Mozart's Turkish March. For a recital. |
| 25 | castanetWilliam Gillock |  play_arrow | The Am… by American composer William Gillock |
| 26 | knightDmitri Kabalevsky |  play_arrow | Ro..., who left numerous piano pieces for children... |
| 27 | Homu Horse “Album for the Young 1: A Picture Book of Boyhood”Aram Khachaturian |  play_arrow | Piano Solo Collection “Children’s Album, Book 1”… |
| 28 | Serenade of the BuglerFritz Spindler |  play_arrow | Well known even as a practice piece for beginner pianists, … |
| 29 | Line Dance of TulipsHirayoshi Takeshu |  play_arrow | An elegant atmosphere with a jazzy vibe... |
| 30 | Polonaise héroïque, Op. 53Frederic Chopin |  play_arrow | A composer who represents 19th-century Romanticism, Fr... |
| 31 | Children’s Music – 12 Easy Pieces, Op. 65: No. 4 “Tarantella”Sergei Prokofiev |  play_arrow | The Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev... |
| 32 | La CampanellaFranz Liszt |  play_arrow | The world-renowned Romantic composer, Franz… |
| 33 | The Grand March of the LionsCamille Saint-Saëns |  play_arrow | The French composer Camille Saint-Saëns… |
| 34 | 25 Etudes, Op. 100 No. 20 “Tarantella”Johann Burgmüller |  play_arrow | Something that everyone inevitably goes through when practicing the piano… |
| 35 | Waltz EtudeWilliam Gillock |  play_arrow | William Gillock’s “Waltz Etude…” |
| 36 | Happy WitchJane Bastien |  play_arrow | A suspicious, enigmatic vibe that sets it apart from the usual recital pieces... |
| 37 | Children’s Album, Vol. 1: ‘Picture Book of Boyhood’, No. 5 ‘Étude’Aram Khachaturian |  play_arrow | The Ro... best known for Sabre Dance and Masquerade |
| 38 | Gypsy Dance (Dance of the Gypsies)Heinrich Lichner |  play_arrow | Romani music-influenced, passionate short piece |
| 39 | Fantasy Pieces: Flight, Op. 12 No. 2Robert Schumann |  play_arrow | Robert Schumann’s masterpiece, “Fantasiestücke …” |
| 40 | Lupin the Third Theme ’78Ōno Yūji |  play_arrow | Widely known even among generations who didn’t watch it in real time… |
| 41 | Burgmüller 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 20 “Tarantella”Johann Burgmüller |  play_arrow | A passionate piece inspired by Southern Italian dances. |
| 42 | Masquerade Ball ‘Waltz’Aram Khachaturian |  play_arrow | Waltz. Used in a movie and the Olympics. |
| 43 | Minuet for TrumpetWilliam Duncombe |  play_arrow | Of course for small children, and even after becoming adults... |
| 44 | A Cruel Angel’s ThesisTakahashi Yoko |  play_arrow | The television anime series Neon Genesis Evangeli... |
| 45 | Brilliant WaltzGlenda Austin |  play_arrow | An elegant composition that fuses waltz and jazz |
| 46 | Midnight Fire FestivalHirayoshi Takeshu |  play_arrow | Passion that surges forward with a unique, driving rhythm… |
| 47 | Burgmüller 25 Etudes, Op. 100 No. 25 “La chevaleresque” (The Lady’s Ride)Johann Burgmüller |  play_arrow | A dazzling étude that expresses knightliness |
| 48 | Gypsy DanceHeinrich Lichner |  play_arrow | The German composer Heinrich Lichner... |
| 49 | Pirates of the Caribbean: “He’s a Pirate”Klaus Badelt＆Hans Florian Zimmer |  play_arrow | Speaking of recitals, it’s always been the classic, tried-and-true pieces... |
| 50 | Piano Sonata K. 545, 1st MovementWolfgang Amadeus Mozart |  play_arrow | The Appeal and Techniques of Mozart’s Famous Piano Pieces |
| 51 | Invention No. 8, BWV 779J.S.Bach |  play_arrow | A lively, upbeat piece perfect for improving your technique. |
| 52 | Final Fantasy VII Piano Collections: Those Who FightUematsu Nobuo |  play_arrow | Nobuo Uematsu, known as a master of video game music… |
| 53 | clownDimitri Kabalevsky |  play_arrow | Dmitry Kabalevsky’s “Clowns” and… |
| 54 | Album for the Young, Op. 39 No. 20: “Baba Yaga (The Witch)”Pyotr Tchaikovsky |  play_arrow | An ominous atmosphere, like something bad is about to happen... |
| 55 | Children’s Corner No. 1: Doctor Gradus ad ParnassumClaude Debussy |  play_arrow | For the purpose of letting adults indulge in a childlike mood... |
| 56 | Detective Conan Main ThemeŌno Katsuo |  play_arrow | You could say it’s an anime song with cool brass and guitar... |
| 57 | Fantasia “Sakura Sakura”Hirai Kōsaburō |  play_arrow | A Japanese composition based on a melody that every Japanese person knows... |
| 58 | Song of JoyLudwig van Beethoven |  play_arrow | The great composer, Ludwig van Beethov… |
| 59 | 25 Etudes, Op. 100, No. 25: ‘La chevaleresque’ (The Lady’s Riding)Johann Burgmüller |  play_arrow | Burgmüller’s masterpiece “25 Études, Op…” |
| 60 | Étude AllegroNakata Yoshinao |  play_arrow | An up-tempo, fast-paced “Etude…” |
| 61 | Für EliseLudwig van Beethoven |  play_arrow | Beethoven’s masterpieces, richly expressive |
| 62 | Etude “30 Pieces for Children, Op. 27” No. 3Dmitri Kabalevsky |  play_arrow | A simple yet enchanting melody and dynamic... |
| 63 | “Dance of the Natives” from Children’s Piano PiecesNakata Yoshinao |  play_arrow | A short piece with powerful rhythms and captivating traditional scales |
| 64 | Dance of the nativesNakata Yoshinao |  play_arrow | A powerful and cool piece by Yoshinao Nakada |
| 65 | Dance and SongNakata Yoshinao |  play_arrow | An enchanting piano solo piece with a Japanese-style rhythm |
| 66 | Polonaise in C major, Op. 155-4Theodor Oesten |  play_arrow | A piano teacher and composer active in 19th-century Germany… |
| 67 | Symphonia No. 1 in C majorJ.S.Bach |  play_arrow | A bright, lively three-voiced piano melody makes for a beautiful miniature piece... |
| 68 | Sonatina, 3rd MovementWilliam Gillock |  play_arrow | An appealing sonata piece infused with a modern sensibility |
| 69 | Lupin the Third Theme ’78Ōno Yūji |  play_arrow | Speaking of cool anime songs, ‘Lupin the Third’s…’ |
| 70 | Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, Op. 311, Third Movement “Turkish March”Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart |  play_arrow | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart… |
| 71 | Prelude, No. 1 from Eight Concert EtudesNikolai Kapustin |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that fuses classical music and jazz |
| 72 | Turkish MarchLudwig van Beethoven |  play_arrow | The soldiers are marching in step... |
| 73 | AllegrettoAnton Diabelli |  play_arrow | The piece that is frequently performed even at piano recitals, '…' |
| 74 | Sonatina Op. 13-1, First MovementDimitri Kabalevsky |  play_arrow | You can hone your performance technique with a bright three-movement musical piece |
| 75 | The Confectionery World, No. 14: “Demon Arare”Yuyama Akira |  play_arrow | Fuse Japanese and Western music in a short piece |
| 76 | Turkish RondoJohann Burgmüller |  play_arrow | A brilliant modulation piece from A minor to A major |
| 77 | Babayaga Op. 39-20Pyotr Tchaikovsky |  play_arrow | Devoting our heart to nurturing the precious hearts of children through music… |
| 78 | Brave Rider (from “Album for Children”)Robert Schumann |  play_arrow | A surge of flowing sounds and a powerful rhythm... |
| 79 | Burgmüller 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 15 “Ballade”Johann Burgmüller |  play_arrow | Burgmüller’s narrative and elegant piano pieces |
| 80 | Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 2 No. 1, Fourth MovementLudwig van Beethoven |  play_arrow | A masterpiece renowned for its powerful and passionate performance |
| 81 | Csikos PostHermann Necke |  play_arrow | A gem of a lively tune beloved as sports day BGM |
| 82 | The dandelion flew away.Hirayoshi Takeshu |  play_arrow | Focusing mainly on choral pieces and solo works for children, i... |
| 83 | Third movement from Sonatina, Op. 36 No. 1Muzio Clementi |  play_arrow | Lively three movements, virtuosic and captivating |
| 84 | Children’s Album, Book I “A Picture Book from Boyhood”: No. 7 Wooden Horse (Cavalry)Aram Khachaturian |  play_arrow | A lively three-beat rhythm that feels like gliding swiftly along… |
| 85 | Viennese WaltzGillock William |  play_arrow | Having made great contributions as a music educator, a child... |
| 86 | Tarantella, Op. 77 No. 6Moritz Moszkowski |  play_arrow | Moszkowski’s cheerful and flamboyant piano piece |
| 87 | Midnight Fire Festival from ‘Rhythm of the Rainbow’Hirayoshi Takeshu |  play_arrow | A passionate, Spanish-style piano miniature |
| 88 | Children’s Piano Piece: Etude AllegroNakata Yoshinao |  play_arrow | Etude in C major, a famous piece suitable for recitals |
| 89 | MEGALOVANIA(Undertale)Toby Fox |  play_arrow | The melody, imbued with a unique sense of drive and tension, ... |
| 90 | Sonatina, Op. 36 No. 1Muzio Clementi |  play_arrow | Italian-born composer Muzio Clement… |
| 91 | Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56Bartók Béla |  play_arrow | Bartók's Suite of Folk Dances |
| 92 | SummerHisaishi Joe |  play_arrow | The Appeal and Characteristics of the Piano Pieces from Kikujiro’s Summer |
| 93 | Children’s Concert Op. 210, No. 7 “Hunting Song”Cornelius Gurlitt |  play_arrow | A cornet overflowing with childlike cuteness... |
| 94 | The EntertainerScott Joplin |  play_arrow | From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, Ameri... |
| 95 | 30 Children’s Pieces: Toccatina, Op. 27 No. 12Dmitri Kabalevsky |  play_arrow | Works for children’s piano and matters related to music education… |
| 96 | Those Who FightUematsu Nobuo |  play_arrow | Powerful game battle track with an emotional melody |
| 97 | The Decisive Battle – from Final Fantasy X Piano CollectionsUematsu Nobuo |  play_arrow | Iconic piano pieces from the FFX battle music |
| 98 | Burgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100 No. 2 “The Hunt”Johann Burgmüller |  play_arrow | A brilliant march inspired by Islamic art |
| 99 | Piano Sonata No. 16, K. 545Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart |  play_arrow | Performance Techniques and Expression in Mozart’s Piano Sonata K. 545 |
| 100 | Album for the Young, Op. 68, No. 8: “The Brave Knight”Robert Schumann |  play_arrow | The composer representing German Romanticism, Robel… |
| 101 | Waltz No. 6 in D-flat major, Op. 64 No. 1 “Minute Waltz”Frederic Chopin |  play_arrow | Familiar under the title “The Puppy Waltz,” “... |