[Piano Etudes] Recommended for Beginners! A Curated Selection of Easy, Playable Pieces

French Suite No. 5, BWV 816: SarabandeJ.S.Bach

Bach French Suite 5 Sarabande Emil Gilels

For those who want to take on classical music or try playing an elegant dance, how about a beautiful sarabande excerpted from a Baroque suite? The third movement of the French Suite No.

5 in G major, BWV 816, is one of the most approachable works among the six suites composed between 1722 and 1725.

Written in a gentle triple meter, it features an ornate right-hand melody interwoven beautifully with a left-hand accompaniment.

Although originally a dance of Spanish origin, it exemplifies the sarabande as a refined form that took shape in France and Germany during the Baroque era.

With its deep expressiveness and serene beauty, this movement is recommended for those looking to refine their musicality, as it calls for thoughtful interpretation of ornaments and careful phrasing.

French Suite No. 6, BWV 817 – GavotteJ.S.Bach

Bach French Suite No.6 “Gavotte” P. Barton, FEURICH 218 piano

Among the suites composed during the Baroque era, this piece is notable for its clear duple meter and approachable melody.

Written around 1722 to 1725 for educational purposes, it beautifully fuses French elegance with German structural rigor.

As a valuable work that conveys the atmosphere of courtly dance to the present day, it demands both expressiveness and technique from the performer, yet it remains accessible thanks to the relative scarcity of difficult phrases or virtuosic passages.

It is recommended for those who have only recently started playing the piano or who wish to try Baroque music, and by practicing with an emphasis on tone and expression, one can perform while sensing the ambiance of the court of that time.

French Suite No. 6, BWV 817: SarabandeJ.S.Bach

Bach French Suite No.6 “Sarabande” P. Barton, FEURICH 218 piano

This is a gem of a movement that infuses the strict form of a French dance with Bach’s characteristic spiritual depth.

Composed around 1722–1725, the piece is built on a stately triple-meter dance of Spanish origin, and its serene, introspective world is shaped by delicate ornamentation and flowing harmonic progressions.

Because it proceeds at a relaxed tempo, it is accessible even to those approaching Baroque music for the first time, allowing players to develop fundamentals while refining tone and expressive nuance.

Rather than dazzling technique, richly emotional expression is prized, making it an excellent choice for those who wish to practice with patience and care.

Polonaise in G minor (BWV Anh. 119)J.S.Bach

Bach, Polonaise in G minor, BWV Anh 119

This piece included in the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach is a brief yet captivating work in the form of the Polish folk dance, the Polonaise.

Its G minor tonality evokes a wistful atmosphere, and the dignified triple meter leaves a strong impression, conveying profound emotion despite its simplicity.

As one of the pieces composed for the notebook prepared for his wife in 1725, it reflects both domestic warmth and educational intent.

Structured in a typical two-part A-A-B-B form, it lasts about one minute, making it approachable not only for technical study but also for developing expressive skills.

It is an excellent choice for those who want to explore Baroque-style polyphony or learn a refined dance form.

Musette in D majorJ.S.Bach

[Grade B Baroque] Anonymous (attributed to J.S. Bach): Musette in D major, BWV Anh. 126 (2025 PTNA Competition Required Piece) pf. Tomoyo Umemura

This piece, born from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach, where one can fully savor the charm of Baroque-era domestic music, is notable for its left-hand accompaniment pattern that imitates bagpipes.

Structured in ternary form, its bright and approachable melody moves between D major and A major, featuring rhythmically dance-like motion.

Compiled as part of the 1725 notebook and written with home music education in mind, it is not overly virtuosic and is easy to play.

It is especially recommended for those interested in Baroque music or for pianists looking to tackle a classical work.

The piece is also used in the anime Curious George, which likely explains why its familiarity continues to be loved today.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons ‘Main Theme’Todaka Ikusei

One-Finger Piano [Animal Crossing: New Horizons] Easy Do-Re-Mi Sheet Music for Beginners

The main theme of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is sure to tempt any game-loving child to give it a try.

Let’s recreate its adventurous melody with just one finger! Because the middle section inserted between the opening phrases changes significantly in tone, first master the repeated opening phrase, then move on to practicing the section with many accidentals.

It’s exciting to play the music from a game you were absorbed in, isn’t it? Once you’ve mastered Animal Crossing, be sure to challenge yourself with other game music too.

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French Suite No. 1, BWV 812: SarabandeJ.S.Bach

Bach French Suite No.1 “Sarabande” P. Barton, FEURICH 133 piano

For those who admire Baroque music but struggle with complex counterpoint, this piece is recommended.

Composed around 1722, it appears in Anna Magdalena Bach’s Notebook, indicating that it was intended for approachable, domestic performance.

It’s a slow dance in triple meter, characterized by simple harmonic progressions and beautiful ornamentation.

The tempo is leisurely, and there are no difficult phrases or virtuosic passages, so beginners to Baroque music can learn to play it quickly with practice.

Since tone color, expression, and dynamics are emphasized, play while exploring a beautiful sound.