[Piano Pieces] Easy for Children to Play! A Roundup of Simple Classical Works
One of the reasons children who have just started piano lessons lose interest is that they begin to feel, “Piano is hard…” If reading music is difficult and practice doesn’t progress, or if their fingers don’t move the way they want and they can’t get a passing mark from the teacher, they tend to develop negative feelings toward the piano they started with such excitement.
In this article, we’ll introduce easy classical pieces that are approachable even for children.
There are always individual differences in how difficult something feels and how quickly one progresses, but please pick pieces that suit your child so they can feel, “Piano is fun!”
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[Piano Pieces] Easy even for children! A roundup of simple classical works (141–150)
Birthday MarchLouis Köhler
A charming piece that’s perfect for a first recital and is included in many children’s piano collections! Louis Köhler’s “Birthday March” is simple and easy to remember, yet it’s packed with important elements for piano study, such as chord staccatos and smooth legato in the melody.
Another appeal of this piece is the wide range of dynamics you can explore—from lively passages to softly played sections.
Imagine a birthday surprise as you perform, and bring the music to life with expressive playing.
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.
springSamuel Maykapar
Spring by Samuil Maykapar, a Ukrainian-born composer and pianist, is often selected for recitals and as a required piece in competitions.
It is a gently paced work that evokes the calm arrival of spring.
The middle section takes on a somewhat livelier character, making it a piece that allows for contrast even within a short span.
Aim to play smoothly with legato to preserve a courtly elegance, keep the accompaniment as soft as possible, and strive for a tender tone throughout.
A Doll’s Dream and AwakeningTheodor Oesten
Doll’s Dream and Awakening by Théodore Oesten is a classic piece well known from piano recitals.
Consisting of three parts—“Doll’s Lullaby,” “Doll’s Dream,” and “Doll’s Awakening”—it’s a very charming work.
Because it includes descriptive subtitles and the imagery is easy to grasp, it should be approachable even for beginners! For children, it can be nice to play while imagining themselves falling asleep and dreaming to their mother’s lullaby.
Why not download the free sheet music right away and express the world of dolls on the piano?
magicianWilliam Gillock
“The Magician” by William Gillock, an American composer who wrote many pieces for children, is especially popular among kids who love upbeat, lively music! Its rhythmic right-hand melody layered over a steady, light left-hand accompaniment seems to portray the comical movements of a magician dazzling the audience with one mysterious trick after another.
If you play with the image of expressing excitement through sound, it will be easier to grasp the sense of rhythm.
Holiday in ParisWilliam Gillock
William Gillock is an American composer who created numerous masterpieces with musical structures so simple that even children can perform them.
Among his works, one I especially recommend is Paris Holiday.
It’s such a famous piece that it’s no exaggeration to say many children who have just started learning piano will perform it at least once.
In terms of difficulty, it’s roughly on par with the first half of Burgmüller’s pieces.
Its beautiful, charming melody is wonderfully appealing, so I encourage you to try it as a recital piece!
In the moonlightfuransu min’yō
The French folk song “By the Light of the Moon” is notable for its relaxed melody.
It’s a very simple piece with monotonous movements in both hands, making it easy even for beginners to play.
However, because of its laid-back structure, any lapse in rhythm will stand out if your timing is off.
Precisely because it’s simple and slow, be sure to practice with a steady awareness of the beat.