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!
- [For Elementary School Students] Brilliant, Showy Masterpieces That Sound Impressive at Piano Recitals
- Beginner to Intermediate: Chopin pieces with relatively low difficulty. Recommended works by Chopin.
- [For Piano Recitals] Simple yet Cool Classical Pieces
- [For Adults] Recommended for Piano Recitals! A Curated Selection of Impressively Sounding Masterpieces
- [Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals Too]
- It’s so cool if you can play these on the piano! A selection of irresistibly charming masterpieces.
- [Beginner] Recommended Piano Pieces to Play at a Recital
- [For Advanced Players] A Curated Selection of Classical Masterpieces to Tackle at Piano Recitals
- For Beginners: Easy to Play and Sounds Impressive! Pieces That Shine at Piano Recitals
- [Intermediate Level] A curated selection of piano masterpieces featuring strikingly brilliant melodies!
- Recommended for piano beginners! 10 sheet music picks that adults can enjoy too
- [Piano Pieces] Easy for Children to Play! A Roundup of Simple Classical Works
- Lower difficulty: Not as hard as it sounds!? Debussy’s piano pieces
[Piano Masterpieces] Looks Hard but Surprisingly Easy!? Carefully Selected Pieces Also Recommended for Recitals (1–10)
Etude in A-flat major, Op. 25 No. 1 “Aeolian Harp”Frederic Chopin
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.
Five Pieces (The Trees Suite), Op. 75: No. 5, “The Spruce”Jean Sibelius
Composer Jean Sibelius, who expressed the nature of Finland through music.
The final piece of his Five Pieces (Tree Suite), Op.
75, this work is a gentle piece that evokes a fir tree standing on a quiet snowy mountain.
Composed in 1914, it strongly reflects the Finnish landscape and quietly moves the hearts of listeners.
Demanding delicate touch and expressive nuance, it showcases the piano’s allure and is often performed at recitals or as an encore.
Why not savor each note with care and let your thoughts wander to the beautiful scenery of the Nordic lands?
Daylight saving timeGeorge Gershwin
Brimming with a unique charm that fuses jazz and classical music, this piece stands out for its warm, lullaby-like character.
It was sung in the opera Porgy and Bess, which premiered in 1935, and has since become a beloved jazz standard around the world.
Gershwin’s characteristically beautiful melody and the jazz-inflected rhythms strike a superb balance.
With a simple arrangement, it’s approachable even for those who have only recently started playing the piano.
It’s also a perfect choice for anyone looking to make a strong impression at a recital!
Maiden’s PrayerTekla Bądarzewska
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
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
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
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.
Practice it carefully and give it a try!