[Beginner] Also great for piano recitals! Classical pieces that look cool when you can play them
Many people who want to learn to play the piano probably think that those admired classical pieces are impossible until you can already play to some extent.
For those people, we’ve picked out beginner-friendly classical pieces that will look cool when you can play them! While flashy and dynamic piano works often demand advanced technique, the pieces we’re introducing here are all masterpieces within easy reach for beginners, letting you enjoy short yet impressive phrases.
We’re also including famous pieces arranged for beginners, so whether you’re looking for a recital piece for your child or you’ve started learning piano as an adult, be sure to check them out!
- [For Elementary School Students] Brilliant, Showy Masterpieces That Sound Impressive at Piano Recitals
- [For Piano Recitals] Simple yet Cool Classical Pieces
- For Beginners: Easy to Play and Sounds Impressive! Pieces That Shine at Piano Recitals
- Beginner to Intermediate: Chopin pieces with relatively low difficulty. Recommended works by Chopin.
- Piano Masterpieces: Surprisingly Easy Despite Sounding Difficult!? A Curated Selection Perfect for Recitals
- [Beginner] Recommended Piano Pieces to Play at a Recital
- [Beginner] Recommended for adult piano beginners! Beautiful & stylish piano pieces
- [For 6-year-olds] A curated selection of standout pieces for piano recitals!
- [Piano Recital] Recommended for Boys! A Curated Selection of Cool, Impressive, and Popular Pieces
- [Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals Too]
- [Classical Music] All pieces under 3 minutes! A collection of short and cool piano pieces
- [Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Classical Pieces Recommended for Upper Elementary School Students
- [Piano Pieces] Easy for Children to Play! A Roundup of Simple Classical Works
[Beginner] Also great for piano recitals! Classical pieces that look cool when you can play them (61–70)
Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15, No. 5: An Important EventRobert Schumann
Piece No.
5 from Scenes from Childhood is a miniature that charmingly depicts a child’s worldview.
It features a strong rhythmic drive and vivid harmonic progressions, with the bright resonance of A major leaving a strong impression.
The music expresses an “important event” as seen from a child’s perspective, and although it lasts only about a minute, it distills a child’s pure emotions and sense of wonder.
Composed in 1838 as a gift for Clara, this work is relatively approachable technically and is suitable even for beginners.
It is recommended for those who wish to develop their expressiveness or explore Robert Schumann’s musical world.
A lovely piece that can move listeners in a short span of time.
30 Pieces for Children: Toccatina, Op. 27-12Dmitri Kabalevsky
Dmitry Kabalevsky, a Russian composer who left numerous piano pieces for children and books on music education, wrote “30 Children’s Pieces, Op.
27.” The 12th piece in this characterful collection, “Toccatina,” is a crisp, rhythmic work.
A “toccatina” is a small improvisatory piece.
This work stands out for its improvisatory lightness, and it calls for clear contrasts between slurs and staccatos.
Enjoy performing it while savoring the folkloric rhythms characteristic of Kabalevsky.
Burgmüller 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 15 “Ballade”Johann Burgmüller
This is an elegant piece that exudes a mysterious atmosphere from the opening.
Its compelling structure—rich in narrative thanks to the contrast between C minor and C major—captivates the listener as it shifts from a tense first section to a serene middle passage.
The scene woven by the right hand’s repeated notes and the left hand’s flowing patterns evokes the image of a solitary traveler journeying through a forest.
Johann Burgmüller balances expressive richness with technical elements to great effect.
This work is recommended for those interested in pieces with a strong narrative quality or who enjoy dramatic expression.
Published in Paris in 1851, it continues to be cherished by many performers today.
Birthday MarchLouis Köhler
A charming piece that’s perfect for a first recital and appears in many children’s piano collections! Louis Köhler’s “Birthday March” is simple and easy to remember, yet packed with important elements for learning piano, such as staccato in the chords and smooth legato in the melody.
Another appeal of this piece is the ample opportunity to shape dynamics—from lively sections to gentle, quiet passages.
Imagine a birthday surprise as you play, and perform with expressive nuance.
Ode to JoyLudwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven’s masterwork Symphony No.
9 in D minor, Op.
125 is featured at many concerts toward the end of the year.
“Ode to Joy” refers to the principal theme sung in the fourth movement of this piece.
While orchestral and choral performances captivate with their brilliance and power that evoke supreme joy, playing it on the piano brings the melody into sharper relief and lets you savor its flowing beauty.
Start by practicing the stepwise passage that goes “E E F G G F E D,” and once you can play the melody, try adding the bass notes and challenge yourself to play with both hands.
Children’s Album, Volume 1: “Album of My Boyhood,” No. 5: EtudeAram Khachaturian
This piece, distinguished by its rhythmic, crisp staccato and unique melody, is a light and lively work written in C major with a 4/4 time signature.
The right hand’s staccato and the left hand’s chromatic chord movements maintain an exquisite balance, packing rich expression and vivid imagery into a brief performance of just 1 minute and 30 seconds.
The rhythms of Armenian traditional music and dance are skillfully incorporated, allowing for a performance brimming with lively dynamism.
Composed in 1926, the piece is well-suited for developing rhythmic precision and balance between both hands, and it is known as a popular choice for piano recitals.
It is recommended for pianists who have mastered basic techniques and wish to take on a performance rich in expressive nuance.
Waltz No. 15, Op. 39-15 “Waltz of Love”Johannes Brahms
Among No.
15, the most famous piece is Waltz No.
15, Op.
39-15 “Waltz of Love.” It’s a piece you often hear at piano recitals.
A key point of this work is that both the right and left hands feature many chords.
These chords can be a bit tricky to play, but it might be good to approach it as practice for grasping chords.
The right hand in measure 37 is especially difficult, so I recommend practicing the hands separately!
