What children find difficult in a piano piece can vary greatly depending on the benchmark: it might be the fast tempo and dense notes, the challenge of expressive nuance, or the difficulty of sight-reading.
Pieces that contain these elements in relatively balanced measure are the set pieces for piano competitions.
Because these selections are ideal for assessing and improving children’s performance technique and expressive ability, they can serve as helpful references when you’re thinking, “I’d like them to try something a bit more challenging than usual.” This time, we’ve picked out children’s piano works that are frequently chosen as competition set pieces.
Teachers and parents who are struggling to select studies or recital pieces, please use this as a reference.
- [For Lower Elementary Students] A Comprehensive Introduction to Pieces That Are Easier to Win With in Piano Competitions
- [For Elementary School Students] Brilliant, Showy Masterpieces That Sound Impressive at Piano Recitals
- [For 6-year-olds] A curated selection of standout pieces for piano recitals!
- [For 5-year-olds] A curated selection of recommended pieces for a piano recital!
- [Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals Too]
- Piano Masterpieces: Surprisingly Easy Despite Sounding Difficult!? A Curated Selection Perfect for Recitals
- [Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Masterpieces and Popular Pieces Recommended for 3rd Grade Elementary School Students!
- [Piano Pieces for Young Children] Perfect for Recitals! A Curated Selection of Brilliant, Showy Favorites
- [Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Classical Pieces Recommended for Upper Elementary School Students
- [Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Classical Pieces Recommended for Upper Elementary School Students
- [Piano Recital] Recommended for Boys! A Curated Selection of Cool, Impressive, and Popular Pieces
- Beginner to Intermediate: Chopin pieces with relatively low difficulty. Recommended works by Chopin.
- [Beginner] Recommended Piano Pieces to Play at a Recital
Kindergartens and daycare centers (1–10)
KrakowiakLudomir Różycki
This piece, the Krakowiak, which has also been selected as a set piece for the Chopin Competition, takes its name from a folk dance originating in Kraków, a region in southern Poland.
It is characterized by a duple meter featuring syncopation and accents on weak beats, and is well known as a piece that even children can attempt.
While some of the rhythms may take getting used to, it isn’t extremely difficult, so please give it a try.
25 Etudes, Op. 100, No. 25: ‘La chevaleresque’ (The Lady’s Riding)Johann Burgmüller
The piece that serves as the finale to Burgmüller’s celebrated 25 Etudes, No.
25 “La Chevaleresque” (Gallop), from 25 Etudes Op.
100.
Alongside works like “Arabesque,” “La Petite Fleur,” and “The Angel’s Voice,” it is known as one of Burgmüller’s relatively easy pieces.
The key point of this work is that it’s packed with techniques beginners should master.
It spans a wide keyboard range and includes chords and a fairly quick right-hand part.
It’s an ideal piece for building a child’s foundational skills.
Minuet in F major, K. 2Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Among Beethoven’s works, the piece “Minuet in F major, K2” stands out for its exceptional charm.
Favored by the nobility, it is characterized by an elegant triple meter.
It is also known as a piece that even young children and elementary school students can perform.
A key feature is the abundance of similar phrases.
Specifically, there are sections A and A’, and at the end an A” appears that mixes elements of those two parts.
Because the performer must differentiate each section, this piece is ideal for developing expressive ability.
Lower grades (1–10)
Holiday in ParisWilliam Gillock
Gillock is known for having many pieces for children.
Among them, I’d like to recommend Paris Holiday this time.
Although it’s a relatively minor work within Gillock’s output, it’s packed with elements that beginners should tackle.
In particular, the whole-tone scale appears near the end, which will be a valuable experience for children who haven’t encountered it before.
If you practice slowly, hands separately, you’ll steadily become able to play it with confidence.
Do consider it as a candidate piece for a piano recital.
Children’s Album – 24 Easy Pieces, Op. 39: No. 8 “Waltz”Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
“Children’s Album – 24 Easy Pieces, Op.
39, No.
8 ‘Waltz’” is a piece frequently performed at piano recitals featuring elementary school children and preschoolers.
Composed by Tchaikovsky when he was 38, it’s perfect for getting used to the waltz style.
Although the difficulty level is approachable for beginners, the staccato passages can be challenging for children who have not yet developed fine motor skills.
Waltzes with frequent staccato are quite rare, so be sure to give it a try.
Sonatina in C major, Op. 157 No. 1, II. TarantellaFritz Spindler
Among composers renowned for their piano works, Spindler is particularly popular.
This time, I would like to introduce one of his masterpieces: the Sonatina in C major, Op.
157-1, Second Movement “Tarantella.” While it is a straightforward piece and not one that aims to dazzle the listener, it is perfect for showcasing fundamental piano technique.
In addition to the balance between the left and right hands, it concentrates detailed expressive elements such as staccato and legato.
Please consider it as a reference for a piano recital assignment.
Forest fairyWilliam Gillock
This is a piano piece by William Gillock that sparkles like glistening grains of sound spilling out.
You can almost picture charming fairies dancing merrily deep in the forest.
With its crystal-clear melody that captivates the hearts of many children, this work is perfect for youngsters who want to develop rich expressiveness and play music as if weaving a story.
Rather than focusing only on increasing the tempo, paying attention to dynamics and phrasing—contrasts of loud and soft, fast and slow—will surely make you stand out in competitions!