Many people probably think, “It would be so cool and fun if I could play the piano!” I usually teach piano at home, and I have many adult students who come to me asking, “Is it still possible for me to learn to play from now?” So this time, I’ll introduce piano pieces that may look difficult but are surprisingly approachable on the piano, focusing on classical music! Perfectly pursuing the essence of a piece does require considerable technique, but in some cases there are published scores with simple arrangements that even beginners can play shortly after starting.
If you’re thinking about starting the piano, or if you’re hoping to perform at a recital someday, I hope you’ll find this helpful!
[Piano Masterpieces] Looks Hard but Surprisingly Easy!? Carefully Selected Pieces Also Recommended for Recitals (1–10)
Szymon Nehring – Etude in A flat major Op. 25 No. 1 (third stage)
This étude by Polish-born pianist and composer Frédéric Chopin is notable for its arpeggios that evoke the sound of an Aeolian harp swaying in the wind.
Composed in 1835, it features an elegant, flowing melody that fully brings out the piano’s unique beauty.
While by no means an easy piece, it is considerably more approachable compared to many of Chopin’s other études.
It demands delicate expressive control, yet offers the pleasure of immersing oneself in Chopin’s distinctive poetic world.
Maiden’s Prayer – Badarzewska [La prière d’une vierge] Piano / CANACANA
Composed by the Polish composer Tekla Bądarzewska, this piece appears in many piano anthologies.
Its sweet, memorable melody stands out, but the frequent leaps make it quite a challenge to play cleanly without wrong notes.
That said, the structure is simple—like variations in which the theme is repeated in altered forms—so reading the score and memorizing it should not be difficult.
First published in Warsaw in 1856, the piece has since been beloved worldwide and was brought to Japan during the Meiji era.
Because the melody is written in octave double-stops, take care not to let your hands stiffen and the sound become hard.
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 “Moonlight,” First MovementLudwig van Beethoven
Moonlight Sonata 1st Movement Piano Sonata / Beethoven / Moonlight Sonata (1st Movement) / Classic Piano / Classical / CANACANA
A piece by Beethoven also known by the nickname “Moonlight Sonata.” It is a work he dedicated to Giulietta, a count’s daughter 14 years his junior who became his pupil.
The sonata consists of a gentle first movement, a light second movement, and a fast-tempo third movement.
The first movement has a slow rhythm, making it highly recommended for piano beginners.
Its repeated patterns and quietly unfolding mood evoke the ethereal atmosphere of moonlight.
Three Concert Études, S.144/R.5, No. 3 “Un sospiro”Franz Liszt
Sigh (Liszt) – Un Sospiro – Trois études de concert – pianomaedaful
A gentle, serene melody—like carefully threading words one by one—rests over quietly rippling arpeggios in this poetic and beautiful work by Franz Liszt.
Composed between 1848 and 1852, it is among Liszt’s most popular pieces and is often programmed in concerts.
Though technically demanding, the smooth crossing of the hands is itself beautiful, giving the piece strong visual impact.
It is a quintessential Liszt work, uniting virtuosity with artistry, worthy of the “magician of the piano.” It is a piece to be played with ample singing tone and deep emotional expression.
Songs Without Words, Book IV, Op. 53, No. 3: “Presto agitato (Foreboding)”Felix Mendelssohn
2023 PTNA Special Grade Semifinal – Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words, Book 4 “Restlessness,” Op. 53 No. 3, U144; piano: Shota Kaya
Songs Without Words by the great master of German Romanticism, Felix Mendelssohn.
Included in the fourth volume, this piece is, as its title suggests, a passionate miniature that conveys fiery, intense emotions.
Composed in 1841, it is a masterpiece that showcases Mendelssohn’s superb compositional craft and rich expressive palette throughout.
Technically, it is on the more demanding side, but it is a compelling work imbued with Mendelssohn’s intention to communicate emotions beyond words through music.
Highly recommended for those who wish to experience the profound emotional expression of the Romantic era or to refine their pianistic expressiveness.
