It’s so cool if you can play these on the piano! A selection of irresistibly charming masterpieces.
When you think of piano pieces, many people probably picture classical works, right?
But nowadays, not only classical music—J-POP, anime songs, and all kinds of tracks—are performed on the piano, and “I tried playing it” videos are gaining attention on social media and video platforms.
Some of you might be enjoying watching these videos every day, surprised to find, “Wow, this song actually goes really well with the piano!”
So this time, we’ve picked out songs that would look seriously cool if you could play them on the piano!
Alongside timeless classical masterpieces, we’ll also introduce the latest hit songs that sound great on piano.
If you’re thinking, “I want to wow everyone with my piano performance!”, be sure to use this as a reference!
- [Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals Too]
- [Advanced] Super cool if you can play it! Selection of famous piano pieces
- Piano Masterpieces: Surprisingly Easy Despite Sounding Difficult!? A Curated Selection Perfect for Recitals
- Even beginners can play them easily on the piano! A curated selection of popular and latest J-POP songs.
- [Piano Recital] Recommended for Boys! A Curated Selection of Cool, Impressive, and Popular Pieces
- [Piano × J‑Pop] A curated selection of the coolest new hits and anime songs that’ll look great when you play them
- [For Elementary School Students] Brilliant, Showy Masterpieces That Sound Impressive at Piano Recitals
- [For Piano Recitals] Simple yet Cool Classical Pieces
- [Intermediate Level] A curated selection of piano masterpieces featuring strikingly brilliant melodies!
- Cool jazz piano: from classic favorites to hidden gems.
- [For Advanced Players] A Curated Selection of Classical Masterpieces to Tackle at Piano Recitals
- Masterpieces of classical piano that are too beautiful for words. A gathering of delicate tones that cleanse the soul.
- [Classical Music] All pieces under 3 minutes! A collection of short and cool piano pieces
Cool if you can play them on piano! A pick of irresistibly charming masterpieces (21–30)
Suite bergamasque, No. 3: Clair de LuneClaude Debussy
Among Claude Debussy’s works, the most famous is Clair de Lune.
It is a dreamlike and beautiful piece that conjures up the image of a moon faintly floating in the quiet night sky and the mysterious space bathed in its light.
Although it is one of the pieces in the piano suite Suite bergamasque, it is often performed on its own, and many adults take up piano inspired by this piece.
While it is not particularly difficult from a technical standpoint, expressing the world of the music is extremely challenging.
Looking at photos of moonlit landscapes to expand your concrete imagery as you play is also recommended!
LibertangoAstor Piazzolla
Libertango by Astor Piazzolla, an Argentine composer known for tango music, is a piece loved in many instrumental settings—violin, cello, bandoneon, piano four-hands, and more.
Its dynamic melody and distinctive Latin rhythms also make it excellent practice for honing piano technique.
To convey its passionate, sultry character—so distinct from European classical works—experiment with tempo fluctuations, dynamics, and accents as you play to bring out the colors of the piano.
Bling-Bang-Bang-BornCreepy Nuts
Created by the hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts, this track has gained strong support—especially among young listeners—thanks to its rhythmic beats and catchy phrases, and it’s become a big topic on social media! The self-affirming lyrics and energetic sound have the power to uplift anyone who listens.
Many people may also remember the dance videos featuring anime characters.
When playing it on the piano, be mindful of the powerful beat and dynamic melody, and try to express the energy the song embodies!
SenbonzakuraKurousa-P
A song by Vocaloid producer Kurousa-P, also known for being covered by numerous famous musicians such as Sachiko Kobayashi and Wagakki Band.
Even at a time when VOCALOID wasn’t as widespread as it is today, it gained support from a broad range of listeners and remains immensely popular overseas.
Its fast-paced arrangement featuring traditional Japanese melodies evokes a sense of nostalgia while delivering the exhilarating feel of rock.
It’s a dynamic and cool piece even when performed on solo piano, so definitely give it a try!
Demon KingSchubert=Liszt
Erlkönig, a song composed by Franz Schubert at the young age of 18 and famously arranged for solo piano by Franz Liszt, is permeated throughout by an ominous and terrifying atmosphere, giving it a unique and singular appeal among classical songs.
As a piano piece, it is extremely challenging; mastering the distinctive triplet figures with nuanced acceleration and deceleration while maintaining precise rhythm is a formidable task.
Because the work presents a wide range of expressions—from melancholy to calm—you can enjoy its many faces; practice it repeatedly with an awareness of its dramatic development so you can bring out that expressiveness in performance.
Lupin the Third Theme ’78Ōno Yūji
A representative theme song from a beloved national anime, composed by Yuji Ohno.
Released in October 1977, this instrumental track reached as high as No.
36 on the Oricon charts.
The piece’s theme captures the freewheeling, adventurous life of its protagonist.
Its distinctive chord progression—crafted with a nod to Spaghetti Westerns—leaves a strong impression.
With an uptempo feel infused with jazz elements, it’s a tune that lifts the listener’s spirits.
If you’re playing it on piano, a key point is to firmly articulate the left-hand bass.
It’s a surefire showstopper for a recital.
I Dreamed a Dream from the musical Les MisérablesClaude-Michel Schönberg
Known as an iconic song representing the pinnacle of musical theater, this work is a masterpiece by French composer Claude-Michel Schönberg.
Schönberg began his career as a pop star and later achieved great success in the world of musicals.
This piece is a sweeping ballad that expresses the protagonist’s inner turmoil and hope, a deeply moving song that resonates with listeners as it explores themes of life’s hardships and renewal.
In 2003, Schönberg married British ballerina Charlotte Talbot.
Schönberg’s music continues to captivate many with its powerful portrayal of human emotion and the drama of life.