So you are a beginner pianist, but you want to sound brilliant. There is no need to play those skill-demanding masterpieces to impress other people, there are some simpler ones with which you can convince anyone that you are a piano pro. Like with any instrument, you’ll need to practice to get good at playing these, but these ten following pieces are amazing and can be performed easily:
1. Beethoven - Bagatelle in A Minor, Op. 59 – “Fur Elise”
Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor "Für Elise" (meaning For Elise) is among Ludwig Van Beethoven’s most famous compositions and one of the most popular piano pieces in the world. It is not really known who Elise was, but it is believed that is someone who beethoven wanted to marry with. The Bagatelle is in Rondo form. Despite the middle sections are a bit harder than the first, this piece is probably the best easy piano piece of the world. The piece was published in 1865, long time after the composer’s death.
These atmospheric pieces were published in 1888. They were considered dances, among the Trois Sarabandes and the Gnossiennes. The word gymnopédie was not used frequently in France in the 19th century, so it is believed that it comes from Greek. The three pieces share the ¾ time signature, and present a similar theme and the same structure. The Gymnopédies are considered a precursor of modern Ambient Music.
3. Johann Sebastian Bach - Prelude and Fugue in C major, BWV 846
This prelude is the first prelude and fuguein the first book of The Well-Tempered Clavier, a book containing 48 preludes and fugues. This prelude consists mostly of broken chords and arpeggios, and is 35 bars long. While the texture is constant, the harmony constantly variates. This piece is easy to play as only demands the change of chords with a constant way of playing.
Clearly the most famous part of the Suite bergamasque, and probably one of Debussy’s most important pieces, Clair de Lune was named after Paul Verlaine's 1869 poem of the same name. It is written in 9/8 meter and is in the key of D-flat major. This piece is famous for being featured in several commercials, movies, tv series, etc.
5. Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor “Moonlight Sonata” – First movement
The Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27, No. 2, also known as Moonlight Sonata is among Beethoven’s most famous pieces. The first easiest movement, Adagio sostenuto, in C-sharp minor is among the most heard piano pieces in the world, and is not a difficult piece to master.
6. Bach's Minuet in G major (attributed to Christian Petzold)
This little piece is included in the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach, presented by Bach to her wife in 1725 This minuet was included as an anonymous piece, but since 1970 this piece is attributed to Christian Petzold. It is one of the most famous pieces for piano, and also has been arranged for other instruments and used in several popular culture products.
7. Scott Joplin - The Entertainer
This is one of the classics of ragtime, poopularly known as the theme song of the movie The Sting. However, this piece is quite older, being first published in 1902, along with other two rags by the same composer. Besides being an easy piece to master, it is worldwide known.
8 . Robert Schumann: Op. 68, No. 1 (Melody)
Melody, the first piece from Schumann’s Album für die Jugend (Album for the young), Op.68 is a simple but great sounding piece for those who are starting their path on the piano. Simple Arpeggios and a nice main line make this a must for any player.
9. Prelude in C from Bach’s 8 Little Preludes in C major :
Despite the fact that these are now believed to be composed by one of Bach’s pupils, this wonderful small pieces for solo keyboard are a beginner’s must. It is not known if this piece is intended to be played in an organ, but it is a fact that it sounds really good on the piano.
Part of the composer’s second book of preludes, this arpeggio based piece is calm sounding and easy to master with little practice. Its intriguing sound makes a great piece to play in public to show your skills.
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