[Beginner] Recommended Piano Pieces to Play at a Recital
A big event that everyone learning piano experiences is… the recital! Practicing to perform not only for family and friends but also for a wider audience helps keep up the motivation to continue playing piano.
Moreover, the experience of standing on stage alone and performing all the way through is sure to build great confidence.
To make such a recital truly rewarding, choosing the right pieces is key! Of course, developing performance technique is important, but since it’s a valuable chance to play on stage, you’ll want to select pieces that both the performer and the audience can enjoy together.
In this article, we’ll introduce famous pieces that are fun for both adults and children to play—not only classical works, but also popular music and film music.
We hope this helps you discover candidates for your next recital program.
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- Beginner to Intermediate: Chopin pieces with relatively low difficulty. Recommended works by Chopin.
- [For 6-year-olds] A curated selection of standout pieces for piano recitals!
[Beginner Level] Recommended Piano Pieces to Play at Recitals (21–30)
Daydream BelieverThe Monkees
A highly recommended piece for adults who want to stylishly perform Western pop at a piano recital! “Daydream Believer” is a smash hit released in 1967 by the American rock band The Monkees.
In Japan, it’s widely loved in the Japanese-language version by THE TIMERS, the rock band led by Kiyoshiro Imawano, and it’s still featured in commercials today.
You can capture the upbeat, cheerful feel of the original with a lively performance, or make the most of the piano’s gentle tone and play it tenderly—both approaches are excellent!
He is the pirate.Klaus Badelt/Hans Zimmer
A piece composed by Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer as an insert song for the film Pirates of the Caribbean.
Its brave, majestic melody draws listeners into the world of pirates.
Since the film’s release in 2003, this work—which expresses a spirit of adventure and freedom through music—has continued to be loved by many.
Numerous arrangements have been published so that players of various levels can enjoy it on the piano, making it perfect for recital pieces.
The rhythmic patterns are somewhat complex, but with tasteful simplifications that don’t spoil the atmosphere, even young children can play it comfortably.
The key is to perform it with lively energy!
Arlésienne Suite No. 2, III. MinuetGeorges Bizet
This is an instrumental piece born from the incidental music that French composer Georges Bizet wrote in 1872, celebrated for its elegant and light, captivating melody.
Bizet displayed remarkable talent from an early age, entering the Paris Conservatory before the age of ten.
Composed as music to accompany a story set in the south of France, the work is characterized by delicate melodies and rich harmonies that soothe the listener.
It is also popular as a piano recital piece and is recommended for beginners.
By carefully rendering its graceful lines, performers can develop a deep sense of musical expression.
Holiday in ParisWilliam Gillock
William Gillock, known for composing numerous pieces for children, wrote Paris Vacation, a recital favorite among his works that is packed with elements beginners should try.
In particular, the whole-tone scale that appears toward the end can be a significant learning experience for children who haven’t encountered it before.
If you practice slowly, hands separately, you’ll steadily become able to perform it with confidence—so why not take it on as you prepare for a piano recital?
castanetWilliam Gillock
Castanets, a piece we recommend for kids who just want to play something cool, is by the American composer William Gillock.
It uses the Oriental scale, a mode often heard in regions around the Arab world, giving the whole piece an exotic and striking feel.
While the difficulty is approachable for beginners, the piece demands strength throughout.
Keep your wrists flexible and be careful not to tense up your body as you play.
glass slipperWilliam Gillock
William Gillock, often called the “Schubert of music education” for his beautiful melodic sense, wrote in a style that brings out a piece’s charm through rich expression without relying on advanced technique.
For that reason, Gillock’s works frequently appear as assignments for beginners.
Glass Slippers is a perfect piece for getting used to triple meter! Before tackling full-fledged waltzes like Chopin’s, why not experience 3/4 time with this piece?
Spinning SongAlbert Ellmenreich
Ermendielich’s Spinning Song by the German composer is a well-known staple at piano recitals.
It is said to depict women spinning thread on spinning wheels in the 1800s, when Ermendielich lived.
Aligning the rapid notes can be quite a challenge, but the piece is highly rhythmic and very satisfying to play.
If you can power through while maintaining a sense of speed—the opening section, the middle section where the left hand takes the lead, and the closing section that repeats the opening melody—you’ll be rewarded with a wonderful feeling of exhilaration at the end!