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[For Piano Beginners] Play Right Now with Free Sheet Music! A Roundup of Recommended Practice Pieces
For those who have just started teaching themselves piano, choosing practice pieces can be one of the trickiest parts.
If you’re taking lessons, your teacher will pick sheet music that suits your current level.
But when you’re practicing on your own, it’s easy to wonder, “What should I practice next?” or “What pieces will help me improve more?”
So in this article, we’ve selected recommended practice pieces to help piano beginners choose what to work on.
We’re also sharing free sheet music, so feel free to download it and give it a try!
[For Piano Beginners] Start Playing Now with Free Sheet Music! A Complete Introduction to Recommended Practice Pieces (1–10)
CanonJohann Pachelbel
This is a representative work by Johann Pachelbel, a composer emblematic of the Baroque era.
Known for its distinctive, repeating, beautiful chord progression, it is celebrated as a masterpiece that resonates with many listeners.
Although originally written for three violins and basso continuo, it’s also popular on the piano.
Many sheet music editions offer simple arrangements suitable for beginners, so why not give it a try? With whole notes in the left hand and mostly eighth notes in the right, you should be able to practice slowly while checking note names and fingerings.
May this piece help you feel the joy of music.
Ave MariaCharles Gounod
Composed by Charles Gounod, a leading figure in 19th-century French music, this work is characterized by its distinctive structure, in which Gounod overlays his own melody onto a theme by Bach.
Written in 1853, it later received Latin lyrics expressing a prayer to the Virgin Mary.
The harmony created by the simple accompaniment and beautiful melodic line makes it accessible even for beginners.
Well known as a staple of the Christmas season, it is beloved to the point of being performed in a variety of settings, including weddings and funerals.
It is an excellent choice for those who have just started playing the piano or who are interested in classical music.
Für EliseLudwig van Beethoven
A masterpiece by Ludwig van Beethoven whose beautiful, heartrending melody resonates with the heart.
Composed around 1810, this work is structured in rondo form and captivates with a melody that is simple yet richly expressive.
Highlights include the changes in character as it moves from the gentle opening phrase, to a brilliant middle section, and then to passages tinged with intensity.
It’s perfect for practicing smooth connection between the left and right hands, as well as conveying the contrasting moods of each section.
Even those new to the piano will find it a wonderful piece that leads to real improvement with patient practice.
Be sure to play it with plenty of nuance and dynamic shading.
Album for the Young, Op. 68: No. 1 “Melody”Robert Schumann
The first piece, “Melody,” from Robert Schumann’s Album for the Young, Op.
68—by a composer who represents the German Romantic movement—is a work noted for its simple, lyrical atmosphere.
At only 20 measures long and with frequent repetitions, it is often performed as a practice piece or recital piece by beginning pianists.
Although the notes are very simple, the left-hand accompaniment moves continuously in eighth notes, so care should be taken with the volume balance against the right-hand melody.
Play with attention to ensure the melody is not overshadowed by the accompaniment.
Forest Sketches, Op. 51: No. 1 ‘To the Wild Rose’Edward MacDowell
Edward MacDowell, an American composer who left behind numerous piano miniatures and piano concertos.
Among his works, one of the most beloved is To a Wild Rose, the first piece in his ten‑piece piano collection Woodland Sketches, Op.
51.
With its simple yet memorable melody and a gentle character that seems to lighten the heart, this piece is perfect for practicing legato technique and pedaling.
In addition to connecting tones with your fingers, aim for a beautiful performance by using the pedal effectively.
For children who can reach the pedals and for adult players, try adding the left soft pedal in the pianissimo sections.
Variations on “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Speaking of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, he’s a quintessential composer of classical music.
Composed in 1778, this work is based on the popular love songs of the time.
It begins with a simple melody and gradually becomes more complex through twelve variations.
While it’s known as a staple piece for beginner pianists, it actually contains techniques that are quite challenging even for intermediate players.
Why not try it as an etude to enrich your fingerwork, enjoying how the familiar tune transforms into sophisticated arrangements? There are plenty of free scores available, so it’s easy to get started!
GavotteFrançois-Joseph Gossec
Gossec’s Gavotte, by the Belgian composer François-Joseph Gossec, is arguably the most famous piece bearing the name of the classical dance originating in France, the gavotte.
Although originally composed for violin and orchestra, it is now included in many piano method books and is beloved as a practice piece for beginning pianists.
Combining both a cheerful and an elegant character, the key to performing this piece is to keep the leaping left-hand accompaniment from becoming heavy.
Try playing with an awareness of your fingertips while imagining light, nimble steps on tiptoe.