[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 round-up of simple classical works (11–20)
Sonatine Op. 36 No. 1 in C majorMuzio Clementi
Among the works of Muzio Clementi—born in Rome, Italy, and active in a wide range of roles including composer, pianist, teacher, and publisher—this is one of his most well-known pieces.
It is one of the Six Sonatinas written for the daughter of a wealthy nobleman, and the least difficult of the set, often practiced by many piano students during the transition from beginner to intermediate level.
A sonatina is a compact version of the musical form known as sonata form, and engaging with sonatina repertoire is highly instructive for learning classical musical structures.
It would be ideal to enjoy the charm of the piece while also gaining knowledge about its structure.
Love’s GreetingEdward Elgar
Salut d’Amour is a famous piece often performed at piano recitals and is one of Edward Elgar’s representative works.
It’s generally considered suitable for intermediate players, but aside from some challenging left-hand jumps, there aren’t many difficult passages, making it approachable even for children.
With many arranged editions available, you can choose one that matches your level and play it comfortably.
It also makes a striking impression in recitals, so do consider it as a reference piece.
AllegrettoAnton Diabelli
This Allegretto is a piano piece by Anton Diabelli, an Austrian-born composer who studied under Franz Joseph Haydn.
Those familiar with classical music will know that Anton Diabelli played a key role in the circumstances surrounding the publication of works such as Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations.
Diabelli’s Allegretto, though short, is a piece that allows you to fully savor the Classical style.
Aim for a powerful performance: keep the staccato crisp, be keenly aware of dynamics, and play with the feeling of recreating an orchestra.
small black personClaude Debussy
“The Little Negro” is a short piano piece composed on the rhythmic basis of a two-beat dance step called the “cakewalk.” Over the left hand, which keeps a steady beat, the right hand layers light, syncopated rhythms.
Just when you think the lively mood will continue, the music turns gentle for a while.
But that doesn’t last long; from a restless feeling it returns to the cakewalk rhythm.
It’s easy to get distracted by the complex rhythms in the right hand, but in fact playing the left hand accurately is crucial.
Be sure to practice each hand separately and with care!
Burgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100 No. 2, ArabesqueJohann Burgmüller
Burgmüller’s 25 Easy and Progressive Studies is a collection every piano learner encounters at least once.
Arabesque, the second piece, is especially popular for its energetic and striking character.
The right hand’s fast, detailed passages often come together smoothly thanks to their tempo-friendly patterns, but the real challenge lies in the middle section with the left hand.
The moment the melody shifts to the left hand, many players struggle to keep up with the tempo and the flow often breaks.
Except where a tempo reduction is indicated, aim to maintain the opening momentum by isolating and carefully practicing the tricky spots in small sections.
Midnight Fire FestivalHirayoshi Takeshu
With its distinctive rhythm and driving momentum, this piece exudes a cool, passionate vibe! “Midnight Fire Festival” is included in Tetsuya Kiyoshi Hirayoshi’s piano collection for children, “Rainbow Rhythm.” A popular work often chosen as a competition set piece, it brims with intensity and power—perfect for energetic children.
It mixes passages that feel like duple meter with those that feel like triple meter, and features complex rests in the left hand, offering plenty of rewarding challenges to practice.
To play it stylishly, start by firmly grasping the rhythm with one hand at a time.
[Piano Pieces] Easy Even for Kids! A Roundup of Simple Classical Works (21–30)
Three Sonatas for Children, Op. 11 No. 1 “II. Theme and Variations” Op. 118a-2Robert Schumann
Brimming with warmth, this charming theme-and-variations piece is an educational work Schumann composed with affection for his daughters.
It is the second movement extracted from the First of the Three Sonatas for Children, published in 1853, unfolding from a gentle theme into a range of contrasting expressions.
Because the variations broaden the scope of musical expression, it is recommended for those who wish to cultivate a rich sensibility.
It begins at a relaxed tempo and contains few technically challenging passages, making it approachable even for first-time learners eager to try classical piano.
While savoring the Schumann-esque poetic world, you can discover the beauty and depth of variation form in this single work.