Do you want to learn how to play the piano? If so, you need to learn how to play classical piano. Classical piano requires foundational skills and numerous layers of technique that will give you what you need to play other types of music as well. At the same time, some of the most difficult pieces in the world were written for the classical piano.
Fortunately, there are plenty of easier pieces as well! Take a look at the list below, and consider learning how to play a few of these easy classical piano pieces. Then, work on the skills you need to take on bigger challenges!
1. Minuet in G – Bach
This is often the very first classical piano piece people learn after they learn their basic scales.
The instant you hear this piece, you will immediately recognize it.
It is still played on the radio, and it is not unusual for beginner pianists to play it in competitions.
Even professional pianists still play this piece from time to time because so many people know it and love it.
So, if you are looking for an easy-to-play classical piano piece, you may want to start with this one.
2. Pachelbel’s Canon in D
This is another relatively simple classical piano piece you can learn.
There is a good chance that you’ve heard this at graduation and weddings, and it is frequently played on the radio during Christmas.
Even though the piece does get harder as it goes, it starts out very easy.
Once you master the melody and the rhythm of the first portion of the piece, you should be able to finish the rest of the piece.
As it picks up its pace, try to keep your hands together.
3. Ode to Joy – Beethoven
Yes, Beethoven is one of the most famous composers of all time, but not everything he wrote was super challenging.
Ode to Joy is a piece you can certainly learn.
You should try to find a transcription that is simplified, as the original Ode to Joy was written for a large symphony.
Then, as you get better at Ode to Joy, you can try your hand at a more challenging version.
4. Peer Gynt, Morning Mood – Grieg
You may also want to give this piece a try.
Even though there are portions of Peer Gynt that are challenging, Morning Mood is one of the easiest ones.
It is a great piece for you to learn if you want to learn your basic chords.
The right hand has a steady melody that works up and down the piano, but it repeats regularly, so it doesn’t take you long to learn the notes.
5. Sonata Facile – Mozart
Mozart is one of the most famous composers of all time, but not everything he wrote was difficult.
If you are looking for an easy piece to learn, you may want to try your hand at the Sonata Facile.
It was written in C major, which is the easiest key, and it will test a lot of the basic skills you learn when you are first learning the piano.
6. Clair de Lune – Debussy
Even though there are some people who believe Clair de Lune is an intermediate piece, it is frequently played by people who are just learning the piano.
If you have the patience to learn the chords, you can certainly play the rest of the piece.
Importantly, it is part of a larger work, and the other pieces in the group are more challenging, but you should not hesitate to give Clair de Lune a try.
It is an absolutely beautiful piece that your friends and family members will love.
7. Fur Elise – Beethoven
The famous piece Fur Elise was also written by Beethoven.
Even though it is not necessarily for brand new pianists, it is a great piece for those who have been playing the piano for a little while.
It is a great goal for people to shoot for, and it will give you a good measuring stick for just how far you have come.
8. Gymnopedie 1 – Satie
Another beautiful classical piano piece you may want to try is Gymnopedie 1.
Many people are still unclear on exactly what is meant by Gymnopedie, but the piece may evoke images of someone dancing.
There is an entire group of pieces called Gymnopedie, and you may want to try them all.
The easiest one is the first one, so you may want to start with this one before you decide to move on to the others.
9. Ave Maria – Schubert
Ave Maria is one of the most recognizable pieces of all time.
It is also a piece you can learn how to play on the piano.
There are different versions of Ave Maria, so you may want to find one that has been simplified.
Once you have learned how to play the piece, you may want to see if someone will accompany you by singing as you play!
This is a gorgeous piece that you can play for your family members and friends.
10. Moonlight Sonata, First Movement – Beethoven
If you are looking for another Beethoven piece, then consider playing the first movement of the Moonlight Sonata.
It is a relatively straightforward repetition of triplets, and you can even memorize the piece relatively quickly.
Importantly, stay away from the second and third movements until you are an advanced pianist.
The full sonata will challenge even some of the most accomplished pianists.
You may want to listen to the other two movements as well.
Put them away and come back to them later.
11. Prelude 7 – Chopin
If you are looking for a piece you can learn quickly, then you may want to try your hand at Chopin’s Prelude number 7.
Even though some of his preludes are incredibly challenging, this one is relatively straightforward.
It will teach you some basic left-hand skills, and the chords will repeat as the piece goes on.
Then, you can use your right hand to roll through the melody.
12. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star – Mozart
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is a nursery rhyme that just about everybody learns.
It is also the name of a set of variations written by Mozart.
Some of the variations are easy while others are more difficult.
This is a great piece you can put down and come back to from time to time.
You can start with the easy variations.
Then, as you learn more piano skills, you can come back and try some of the harder ones.
Learn How To Play Classical Piano
These are just a few of the numerous unchallenging classical piano pieces that are out there.
Of course, some of these pieces are harder than others, but you should be able to play all of them if you are a beginner or intermediate pianist.
Ratings of piano difficulty will always be subjective, but if you want to learn how to play beautiful classical piano, you should find a teacher who can teach you the technique you need to become a beautiful pianist.
