[For Lower Elementary Students] A Comprehensive Introduction to Pieces That Are Easier to Win With in Piano Competitions
Children’s piano competitions come in several formats: the “set piece” format, where contestants choose from predetermined pieces; the “free choice” format, where they can select any piece; and some competitions that require both a set piece and a free-choice piece.
In every case, choosing pieces that are a perfect fit for the young performers—considering factors such as “whether the piece suits their level, technique, and strengths,” “whether it matches their body and hand size,” “whether it aligns with the competition’s tendencies,” “whether it will help improve their performance skills and musical expression,” and “whether the style matches their preferences so they can practice with enthusiasm”—has a significant impact on the results.
In this article, we’ve gathered recommended pieces that tend to be prize-winning, or make it easier to aim for prizes, especially suitable for lower elementary school students.
If you’re struggling to choose repertoire for a piano competition, we hope you’ll find this helpful!
- For Preschoolers to Elementary School Children: Challenging Piano Pieces — A Curated Selection from Competition Repertoire
- [Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Masterpieces and Popular Pieces Recommended for 3rd Grade Elementary School Students!
- [Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Classical Pieces Recommended for Upper Elementary School Students
- [For 6-year-olds] A curated selection of standout pieces for piano recitals!
- [Piano Recital] Recommended for Boys! A Curated Selection of Cool, Impressive, and Popular Pieces
- For Beginners: Easy to Play and Sounds Impressive! Pieces That Shine at Piano Recitals
- [Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Classical Pieces Recommended for Upper Elementary School Students
- [For Elementary School Students] Brilliant, Showy Masterpieces That Sound Impressive at Piano Recitals
- [Beginner] Also great for piano recitals! Classical pieces that look cool when you can play them
- [Piano Recital] A selection of intermediate-level pieces perfect for girls!
- [Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals Too]
- [Classical Music] All pieces under 3 minutes! A collection of short and cool piano pieces
- [Beginner] Recommended Piano Pieces to Play at a Recital
[For Lower Elementary Grades] A Roundup of Pieces That Are Easy to Win With in Piano Competitions (1–10)
Midnight Fire FestivalHirayoshi Takeshu
“Midnight Fire Festival” is one of the pieces in Takashi Hiraishi’s piano collection for children, “Rainbow Rhythm.” With its passionate and powerful character that makes a striking impression, it is extremely popular as a competition and recital piece.
The irregular, complex rhythm in 6/8 time will surely be a major challenge for children! It’s recommended to start by practicing each hand separately to grasp the rhythms accurately, then gradually increase the tempo.
Faithfully reproduce the dynamics and accents indicated in the score, and aim for a strong, dramatic performance!
Allegro in B-flat major, K. 3Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
A charming little piece for piano said to have been composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart when he was just six years old.
Its bright, light melody feels as if a child’s heart is dancing, and simply listening to it lifts your spirits.
Despite its brevity, it overflows with sparkling notes and a vibrant sense of motion, making it perfect for the stage.
Because it demands lyrical phrasing and delicate expression, don’t just play what’s on the page; instead, study the score’s directions carefully and practice with an eye to how best to communicate the music to judges and audience alike.
ToccatinaDimitri Kabalevsky
A light and rhythmic piece.
Written in A minor, it features an engaging melody in the left hand, while the right hand provides a nimble accompaniment.
A notable point is that the top notes of the right-hand triads are arranged to shadow the left-hand melody.
As the music unfolds like a small storm, the balance between tension and release is exquisitely rendered, making it a work that hones both technique and expressiveness.
[For Lower Elementary Grades] A Roundup of Pieces That Make It Easier to Win Prizes at Piano Competitions (11–20)
Little WandererGustav Lange
Gustav Lange, a German composer known for his friendly, melodic piano music, wrote “The Little Wanderer,” a piece distinguished by a melody that evokes a longing for adventure.
It’s approachable even for children who have just begun learning the piano and is perfect for developing finger independence and expressiveness—making it an excellent choice for competitions as well! Working on this piece is also a great opportunity to become comfortable with the triple meter, which is said to be less familiar to many Japanese learners.
Start by practicing slowly and carefully, then gradually aim for a more expressive performance.
Waltz No. 6 in D-flat major, Op. 64 No. 1 “Minute Waltz” (“Little Dog Waltz”)Frederic Chopin
Frederic Chopin’s Waltz No.
6 in D-flat major, Op.
64-1—affectionately known as the “Minute Waltz”—captures in music the lightness and charm of a playful puppy.
A masterpiece frequently chosen for competitions and recitals, it is renowned for its bright, energetic melody.
To perform it compellingly, it’s crucial from the score-reading stage to establish correct fingering and to practice while honing fundamental technique.
For lower elementary school children, this piece is both a significant challenge and a wonderful opportunity to discover the joy of music and learn the richness of expression.
Line Dance of TulipsHirayoshi Takeshu
This piece by Takeshi Hykkyoku* captures the heart with a buoyant melody, as if colorful tulips were stepping in unison.
It is included in the piano collection for children, “Niji no Rhythm” (Rainbow Rhythm).
Though the performance time is short—about one minute and thirty seconds—it’s packed with rewarding elements to practice, such as major seventh chords and left-hand techniques.
Start by securing a solid sense of rhythm at a slow tempo.
With steady practice, aim for a light, lively performance that will captivate both audience and judges!
Holiday in ParisWilliam Gillock
William Gillock left behind a large number of works for children.
Parisian Holiday is a popular piece frequently performed in competitions and recitals, and it is packed with many elements that beginners should tackle.
Toward the end, a whole-tone scale appears, offering a good opportunity to appreciate its mysterious sonority.
Why not consider working on it for a competition?
