RAG MusicPiano
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[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!

Playlist

[Beginner] Also great for piano recitals! Classical pieces that look cool when you can play them
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1‘Jupiter’ from the suite ‘The Planets’Gustav Holst
'Jupiter' from the suite 'The Planets'Gustav Holstplay_arrow
The suite The Planets crafted by Gustav Holst...
2Overture from Heaven and HellJacques Offenbach
Overture from Heaven and HellJacques Offenbachplay_arrow
French composer Jacques Offenbach…
3ButterflyHenri Van Gael
ButterflyHenri Van Gaelplay_arrow
Belgian composer Henri Van Gael...
4Minuet for TrumpetWilliam Duncombe
Minuet for TrumpetWilliam Duncombeplay_arrow
Of course for small children, and even after becoming adults...
5Hunting SongCornelius Gurlitt
Hunting SongCornelius Gurlittplay_arrow
The German composer Korné, who was active in the 19th century...
6Rhapsody in BlueGeorge Gershwin
Rhapsody in BlueGeorge Gershwinplay_arrow
Joe…, a composer who represents 20th-century America,
7AnglaiseJohann Georg Leopold Mozart
AnglaiseJohann Georg Leopold Mozartplay_arrow
Mozart—though I mean Wolfgang...
8CanonJohann Pachelbel
CanonJohann Pachelbelplay_arrow
To the great master of Baroque music, Johann Pachelbel...
9Dance of the WitchesTheodor Kullak
Dance of the WitchesTheodor Kullakplay_arrow
The Witch's Dance is ideal for mastering technique
10Turkish MarchLudwig van Beethoven
Turkish MarchLudwig van Beethovenplay_arrow
The first thing that comes to mind when someone says “Turkish March” is…
11Csikos PostHermann Necke
Csikos PostHermann Neckeplay_arrow
When it comes to classical music at sports days, it has to be 'Ten...'
12Album for the Young, Op. 68, No. 8: The Brave RiderRobert Schumann
Album for the Young, Op. 68, No. 8: The Brave RiderRobert Schumannplay_arrow
German composer Robert …, a leading figure of the Romantic era
13At the time of the danceHeinrich Lichner
At the time of the danceHeinrich Lichnerplay_arrow
How to play Lichner’s waltz pieces
14Spinning SongAlbert Ellmenreich
Spinning SongAlbert Ellmenreichplay_arrow
Although the details of his life are unclear, in the 19th centu...
15ScherzinoGeorg Philipp Telemann
ScherzinoGeorg Philipp Telemannplay_arrow
Georg Philipp, born in 1681, ...
16Adorable TarantellaStreabbog
Adorable TarantellaStreabbogplay_arrow
Technically I’m still quite inexperienced, but with both hands b—
17Magic TreeWilliam Gillock
Magic TreeWilliam Gillockplay_arrow
Gillock’s “The Magic Tree” is an early‑intermediate piano piece that features the left hand.
18Jungle FeverCatherine Rollin
Jungle FeverCatherine Rollinplay_arrow
A rock-style piano piece suitable for a recital
19a band of Roma (Gypsies)Franz Behr
a band of Roma (Gypsies)Franz Behrplay_arrow
Playing techniques and expressive power of Gypsy ensembles
20Burgmüller’s 25 Progressive Pieces: “Arabesque”Johann Burgmüller
Burgmüller’s 25 Progressive Pieces: “Arabesque”Johann Burgmüllerplay_arrow
Born in Germany, he spent most of his life in Fran...
21Midnight Fire FestivalHirayoshi Takeshu
Midnight Fire FestivalHirayoshi Takeshuplay_arrow
Kiyosu Hirayoshi’s dynamic solo piano piece
22To the Wild RoseEdward MacDowell
To the Wild RoseEdward MacDowellplay_arrow
A work with a beautiful melody composed by MacDowell
23French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816: GavotteJ.S.Bach
French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816: GavotteJ.S.Bachplay_arrow
When studying polyphonic music, the piano…
2425 Etudes, Op. 100 No. 20 “Tarantella”Johann Burgmüller
25 Etudes, Op. 100 No. 20 “Tarantella”Johann Burgmüllerplay_arrow
A famous piece that everyone inevitably goes through when practicing the piano…
25Invention No. 8, BWV 779J.S.Bach
Invention No. 8, BWV 779J.S.Bachplay_arrow
A lively, upbeat piece perfect for improving your technique.
26AllegrettoAnton Diabelli
AllegrettoAnton Diabelliplay_arrow
This “Allegretto” is by Franz Jo…
27Passacaglia Harpsichord Suite No. 7 (HWV 432)Georg Friedrich Händel
Passacaglia Harpsichord Suite No. 7 (HWV 432)Georg Friedrich Händelplay_arrow
A masterpiece that distills the charm of Baroque music
28Waltz EtudeWilliam Gillock
Waltz EtudeWilliam Gillockplay_arrow
The enchanting melody of a glamorous waltz
29Happy WitchJane Bastien
Happy WitchJane Bastienplay_arrow
The United States, which is also highly regarded as an educator…
30Sonatina Op. 13-1, First MovementDmitri Kabalevsky
Sonatina Op. 13-1, First MovementDmitri Kabalevskyplay_arrow
Composed many excellent piano pieces for children...
31glass slipperWilliam Gillock
glass slipperWilliam Gillockplay_arrow
So renowned in the field of music education that he is called the Schubert of the music education world, …
32Sonatine Op. 36 No. 1 in C majorMuzio Clementi
Sonatine Op. 36 No. 1 in C majorMuzio Clementiplay_arrow
Born in Rome, Italy, he is a composer and pia…
33Burgmüller 25 Etudes, Op. 100 No. 25 “La chevaleresque” (The Lady’s Ride)Johann Burgmüller
Burgmüller 25 Etudes, Op. 100 No. 25 “La chevaleresque” (The Lady’s Ride)Johann Burgmüllerplay_arrow
A dazzling étude that expresses knightliness
34“Butterfly,” Op. 2, No. 6: “Waltz of the Wurzel”Robert Schumann
“Butterfly,” Op. 2, No. 6: “Waltz of the Wurzel”Robert Schumannplay_arrow
Consisting of 12 short pieces that dance gracefully like butterflies…
35Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, K. 545, First MovementWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, K. 545, First MovementWolfgang Amadeus Mozartplay_arrow
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart…
36Wiener MarchCarl Czerny
Wiener MarchCarl Czernyplay_arrow
Charming piano pieces of Austria
37Holiday in ParisWilliam Gillock
Holiday in ParisWilliam Gillockplay_arrow
Known for having many songs aimed at children, U…
38Dance of the nativesNakata Yoshinao
Dance of the nativesNakata Yoshinaoplay_arrow
A powerful and cool piece by Yoshinao Nakada
39Etude Allegro: A Duet Collection for ChildrenNakata Yoshinao
Etude Allegro: A Duet Collection for ChildrenNakata Yoshinaoplay_arrow
Nurturing children's musicality with a C major duet piece
40ParadeMaurice Ravel
ParadeMaurice Ravelplay_arrow
Toshio Horiuchi’s grand, dramatic wind ensemble work
41Für EliseLudwig van Beethoven
Für EliseLudwig van Beethovenplay_arrow
Since I started playing the piano, I’ve practiced to some extent, and…
42pirateRoger Grove
pirateRoger Groveplay_arrow
An up-tempo book with a pirate adventure theme…
43Carnival BallWilliam Gillock
Carnival BallWilliam Gillockplay_arrow
A passionate piece with the charm of samba rhythm
44French Suite No. 2, BWV 813: GigueJ.S.Bach
French Suite No. 2, BWV 813: GigueJ.S.Bachplay_arrow
A light 3/8-time dance by Bach
45Children’s Album, Volume 1, “Picture Book of Boyhood”: No. 7, Hobbyhorse (Cavalry)Aram Khachaturian
Children's Album, Volume 1, “Picture Book of Boyhood”: No. 7, Hobbyhorse (Cavalry)Aram Khachaturianplay_arrow
A dynamic piano miniature that expresses a child's playful spirit
46Brave SoldierCornelius Gurlitt
Brave SoldierCornelius Gurlittplay_arrow
A powerful march that stirs a boy’s heart
47Impromptu of the WindNakata Yoshinao
Impromptu of the WindNakata Yoshinaoplay_arrow
A melody like a refreshing, free wind
48Alliance de David, Dance Collection No. 18, Non presto, C major — not fastRobert Schumann
Alliance de David, Dance Collection No. 18, Non presto, C major — not fastRobert Schumannplay_arrow
A serene, small piece by Schumann brimming with poetic sentiment
49The Confectionery World, No. 14: “Demon Arare”Yuyama Akira
The Confectionery World, No. 14: “Demon Arare”Yuyama Akiraplay_arrow
Fuse Japanese and Western music in a short piece
50Dance of the SwineherdBartók Béla
Dance of the SwineherdBartók Bélaplay_arrow
An enchanting piece of Hungarian folk dance music
51clownDimitri Kabalevsky
clownDimitri Kabalevskyplay_arrow
A modern-era figure who released many songs for children into the world...
52Babayaga Op. 39-20Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Babayaga Op. 39-20Pyotr Tchaikovskyplay_arrow
A famous piece for children that depicts a witch's tale through music
53Sonatina in A minor, Op. 27 No. 18Dmitri Kabalevsky
Sonatina in A minor, Op. 27 No. 18Dmitri Kabalevskyplay_arrow
A short piece by Kabalevsky that requires deeply moving expressiveness
54Midnight Fire Festival from ‘Rhythm of the Rainbow’Hirayoshi Takeshu
Midnight Fire Festival from 'Rhythm of the Rainbow'Hirayoshi Takeshuplay_arrow
A passionate, Spanish-style piano miniature
55Sonatine No. 8, Movement IMuzio Clementi
Sonatine No. 8, Movement IMuzio Clementiplay_arrow
The charm of piano pieces: brilliant and powerful
56Indian danceWilliam Gillock
Indian danceWilliam Gillockplay_arrow
Powerful music with Indigenous rhythms, brimming with dynamism
57Sonatina No. 7, First MovementMuzio Clementi
Sonatina No. 7, First MovementMuzio Clementiplay_arrow
An elegant and technically skillful piano piece, brilliant and bright.
58Turkish MarchWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Turkish MarchWolfgang Amadeus Mozartplay_arrow
Mozart's Turkish March. For a recital.
59Gypsy DanceHeinrich Lichner
Gypsy DanceHeinrich Lichnerplay_arrow
Heinrich Richner’s masterpiece “The Gypsy’s…”
60Dance and SongNakata Yoshinao
Dance and SongNakata Yoshinaoplay_arrow
An enchanting piano solo piece with a Japanese-style rhythm
61When the Saints Go Marching Inkokujin reika
When the Saints Go Marching Inkokujin reikaplay_arrow
Originally a piece performed as an African American spiritual...
62Minuet in G major, BWV Anh. 114J.S.Bach
Minuet in G major, BWV Anh. 114J.S.Bachplay_arrow
The Appeal and Practice Value of the Minuet in G Major
63Sonatina No. 12, Movement IMuzio Clementi
Sonatina No. 12, Movement IMuzio Clementiplay_arrow
A bright Classical-era piano piece like spring
64Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15, No. 5: An Important EventRobert Schumann
Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15, No. 5: An Important EventRobert Schumannplay_arrow
A charming miniature that depicts a child's worldview
6530 Pieces for Children: Toccatina, Op. 27-12Dmitri Kabalevsky
30 Pieces for Children: Toccatina, Op. 27-12Dmitri Kabalevskyplay_arrow
Kabalewsky’s Children’s Piano Piece “Toccatina”
66Burgmüller 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 15 “Ballade”Johann Burgmüller
Burgmüller 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 15 “Ballade”Johann Burgmüllerplay_arrow
Burgmüller’s narrative and elegant piano pieces
67Birthday MarchLouis Köhler
Birthday MarchLouis Köhlerplay_arrow
Included in many children's piano scores...
68Ode to JoyLudwig van Beethoven
Ode to JoyLudwig van Beethovenplay_arrow
As the year draws to a close, it is featured in many concerts...
69Children’s Album, Volume 1: “Album of My Boyhood,” No. 5: EtudeAram Khachaturian
Children’s Album, Volume 1: “Album of My Boyhood,” No. 5: EtudeAram Khachaturianplay_arrow
A lively piano piece of Armenian traditional music
70Waltz No. 15, Op. 39-15 “Waltz of Love”Johannes Brahms
Waltz No. 15, Op. 39-15 “Waltz of Love”Johannes Brahmsplay_arrow
Among the No. 15 pieces, the most famous work is the “Waltz …”
71Sonatina Op. 13-1, First MovementDimitri Kabalevsky
Sonatina Op. 13-1, First MovementDimitri Kabalevskyplay_arrow
You can hone your performance technique with a bright three-movement musical piece
72Turkish RondoJohann Burgmüller
Turkish RondoJohann Burgmüllerplay_arrow
A brilliant modulation piece from A minor to A major
73Burgmüller 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 20 “Tarantella”Johann Burgmüller
Burgmüller 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 20 “Tarantella”Johann Burgmüllerplay_arrow
A passionate piece inspired by Southern Italian dances.
74Brave Rider from ‘Album for Children’Robert Schumann
Brave Rider from 'Album for Children'Robert Schumannplay_arrow
A short masterpiece that expresses the image of a knight
75Sonatina No. 9, First MovementMuzio Clementi
Sonatina No. 9, First MovementMuzio Clementiplay_arrow
Clementi’s lively composition, brimming with vibrant tones.
76Serenade of the BuglerFritz Spindler
Serenade of the BuglerFritz Spindlerplay_arrow
The lively, resounding tone of the trumpet is captivating…
77Burgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100 No. 2 “The Hunt”Johann Burgmüller
Burgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100 No. 2 “The Hunt”Johann Burgmüllerplay_arrow
A brilliant march inspired by Islamic art
78Tarantella, Op. 77 No. 6Moritz Moszkowski
Tarantella, Op. 77 No. 6Moritz Moszkowskiplay_arrow
Moszkowski’s cheerful and flamboyant piano piece
79castanetWilliam Gillock
castanetWilliam Gillockplay_arrow
Characteristics and Learning Effects of Gillock’s “Castanets”
80Etude AllegroNakata Yoshinao
Etude AllegroNakata Yoshinaoplay_arrow
Recommended pieces for those who have just started playing the piano, and...
81“Dance of the Natives” from Children’s Piano PiecesNakata Yoshinao
“Dance of the Natives” from Children’s Piano PiecesNakata Yoshinaoplay_arrow
A short piece with powerful rhythms and captivating traditional scales
82Piano Sonata K. 545 in C majorWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Sonata K. 545 in C majorWolfgang Amadeus Mozartplay_arrow
Mozart’s graceful three-movement piece
83Sonatina No. 10, First MovementMuzio Clementi
Sonatina No. 10, First MovementMuzio Clementiplay_arrow
A masterpiece that conveys the expressiveness and allure of piano music
8425 Etudes, Op. 100, No. 25: ‘La chevaleresque’ (The Lady’s Riding)Johann Burgmüller
25 Etudes, Op. 100, No. 25: 'La chevaleresque' (The Lady's Riding)Johann Burgmüllerplay_arrow
The beginning of Burgmüller’s masterpiece, 25 Études…
85Burgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100 No. 2, ArabesqueJohann Burgmüller
Burgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100 No. 2, ArabesqueJohann Burgmüllerplay_arrow
The “Burgmüller …” that every piano learner gets their hands on at least once
86The Queen’s MinuetWilliam Gillock
The Queen’s MinuetWilliam Gillockplay_arrow
So renowned in the field of music education that he is called the Schubert of the music education world, …