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Lower difficulty: Not as hard as it sounds!? Debussy’s piano pieces

Representative, Elysion Philharmonic Orchestrasai-kisaragi
Heisei College of Music, Composition Course. Studied composition and conducting under Keizo Ideta, piano under Chinami Kira, and arts management under Takuma Konishi. With a focus on community and music, I work to revitalize my hometown of Saga Prefecture. While performing as a double bassist with wind ensembles and orchestras across Kyushu, I participated on double bass in the “Orchestra Without Borders” orchestra camp of the professional game and anime music ensemble Eminence Orchestra, held in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture in September 2012. During CAPCOM’s Kyushu Tour in 2016, I not only performed as an orchestra member but also served on the production staff. I currently serve as the managing representative for the game and anime performance groups Elysion Philharmonic Orchestra (Saga Prefecture) and Fukuoka Game Music Wind Orchestra (Fukuoka Prefecture), and handle conducting, arranging, and public relations.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

Claude Debussy, the French composer who left unforgettable works with a composition style that defied traditional forms and emphasized free, resonant sound.

Debussy’s music is often seen as intimidating because of its complex harmonies, but in fact, there are pieces with relatively low difficulty that are quite approachable even for beginner pianists!

In this article, we’ll introduce piano works that allow you to fully savor Debussy’s unique world while being comparatively easier to play.

“If Debussy’s pieces are beautiful, it still feels too early for me to try…” If that’s what you’ve been thinking, you might be surprised at how smoothly you can actually play some of them!

[Beginner-friendly] Not as hard as it sounds!? Debussy’s piano pieces (21–30)

Lullaby of a HeroClaude Debussy

Debussy / Lullaby of a Hero / Performed by Masako Nakai

Lullaby of a HeroClaude Debussy

Lullaby for a Hero leaves an impressive, weighty atmosphere that stands in stark contrast to the glamorous image the word “hero” often carries.

The work was created when Claude Debussy received a commission to compose a piece honoring the King of Belgium and the soldiers who resisted the German army during World War I.

Following the piano version, he also composed an orchestral version.

The dense, massive sonorities are certainly a perfect match for the orchestra! When playing it on the piano, perform with great gravity—unhurried and generously paced.

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In conclusion

The works of Claude Debussy, a leading figure of French Impressionist music known as the “painter of the piano,” often feature melodies that are more familiar to the ear—reminiscent of film scores or game field BGM—rather than the neatly stacked chords like the classic triad of C–E–G found in traditional classical music.

At the same time, his music frequently includes dissonances and clashing tones, with complex layers that can make the score look daunting at first glance, so it may take a bit of time to read at the beginning.

However, once you get the hang of it, there’s a mysterious charm that draws you in, making you think, “I want to play it even more beautifully!” In this article, we introduce some of his relatively approachable pieces along with the sheet music.

Let’s read the scores carefully and perform this picture-like music together.

We hope this becomes an opportunity for you to fall even more in love with Debussy’s music.