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

Minuet in C-sharp minorMaurice Ravel

Maurice Ravel – Minuet in C-sharp minor (audio + sheet music)

This is a very short piece, about one minute long, said to have been written around 1904 as a practice assignment for a close composer friend.

Within the classical minuet form, it carries Ravel’s characteristic refined sonorities and a subtly introspective mood.

Rather than dazzling display, the piece conveys restrained elegance—melancholy and beautiful, as if translating delicate, hidden emotions directly into sound.

It’s perfect for anyone who wants an easy introduction to Ravel’s unique aesthetic sensibility.

Because its structure is concise and free of unnecessary ornamentation, the key is to play each note with care while picturing the steps of an elegant dance.

Aim to express the nuances of the heart within its soft, subdued atmosphere.

Noble and Sentimental Waltzes: Waltz No. 2, Assez lent (fairly slow), G minorMaurice Ravel

Valses nobles et sentimentales No.2 – Ravel/Nathan Gnewikow

A work with an introspective atmosphere that feels like peering into the depths of the heart, it is included in Maurice Ravel’s suite Valses nobles et sentimentales.

There’s an anecdote that it was performed at a private concert in 1911 with the composer’s identity kept secret.

Within the gently flowing time, noble yet sentimental melodies emerge, as if quietly staying close to the listener’s heart.

The traditional waltz rhythm hides some unexpectedly piquant sonorities that seem to express unspoken, complex emotions.

It’s a perfect piece for those who want to learn about subtle changes in tone color and long-breathed phrasing.

The key is to play as if breathing, imbuing each note with intention so as not to break the work’s mysterious atmosphere.

Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 27 No. 2 “Moonlight,” First MovementLudwig van Beethoven

Moonlight, First Movement – Piano – Beethoven / Op. 27 No. 2

It’s well known as a piano etude, but it’s also such a profound and beautiful piece that even famous pianists include it in their setlists.

As an aside, there’s a scene in the original horror game Resident Evil where you have to play this piece on the piano as part of a puzzle, and it was a puzzle that could only be solved if you chose the female character.

Bling-Bang-Bang-BornDJ matsunaga

[Piano for Beginners] Bling-Bang-Bang-Born Level 1 [Free Sheet Music with Do-Re-Mi Notation]

If you want to play anison and are a beginner at the piano, “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” is highly recommended.

The song was composed by Creepy Nuts, a Japanese hip-hop duo consisting of DJ Matsunaga and R-Shitei, as the opening theme for the second season of the TV anime Mashle: Magic and Muscles, the “Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc.” Its catchy, driving rhythm is addictive and will stick in your head after just one listen.

Because the track is rap-style, it features many repeated melodies and rhythms.

Although it’s uptempo, once you can play one phrase, you’ll find it easier to handle the other repeated sections—another point in its favor.

After you can play it slowly without mistakes, try gradually approaching the original tempo.

You’ll be able to play it all the way through in no time!

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Mysterious Adventureiketakeshi

Mysterious Adventure! “Dragon Ball” (Easy Piano Version)

Many people who want to play anime songs on the piano probably want to play “Makafushigi Adventure.” The manga and anime Dragon Ball, epitomized by Akira Toriyama, has now become a Japanese anime loved around the world.

When it comes to popular anime songs, many tracks from Dragon Ball are frequently mentioned, and alongside “CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA,” this “Makafushigi Adventure” is indispensable.

Even beginners who have just started playing the piano will be highly motivated if they love Dragon Ball.

The key to performing this piece is to clearly contrast the calm and the energetic parts.

After firmly taking the rest in “Tsukamō ze! DRAGON BALL,” let it flow into “Sekai de itto—.” Since the B melody repeats many of the same notes, practice so that it aligns well with the left-hand bass.

Once you can play it perfectly, your sheet-music battle power will surely exceed 530,000.

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Odoru Pompoko RinOda Tetsurō

[Easy Piano] Odoru Pompokolin from Chibi Maruko-chan / Opening Theme

The manga and anime Chibi Maruko-chan, created by Momoko Sakura, is a beloved national anime representing Japan, alongside works like Doraemon and Sazae-san.

The song Odoru Pompokolin used in Chibi Maruko-chan is the series’ iconic first ending theme, and it energizes everyone who listens.

It’s a great anime song even for beginners who are just starting piano and still working hard to read sheet music.

Since it involves playing the same notes in rhythm and the bass line is simple, it’s easy to perform.

First, learn the rhythm of the original song’s vocals and try playing the notes along with it.

Little by little, memorize the positions on the keyboard and shape it into a performance.

Once you reach the chorus, you can just ride the groove and enjoy playing to the end.

When you get used to it, try playing along at the original tempo.

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Let’s dance the waltz.William Gillock

Piano started at age 52 – First Gillock – Come on, Let’s Dance the Waltz – Gillock: Let’s Waltz

This is the piece that appears at the very beginning of First Gymnopédies (First Gillock).

Since the left and right hands play alternately, even those who have just started learning piano can play it.

Yet it’s not boring; it’s a fun piece that makes your body sway as you play.