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Looking for the best easy classical piano songs to learn for beginner pianists? You’ve come to the right place! While mastering the works of Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven might sound intimidating, there are a number of beginner piano songs that sit nicely within the classical repertoire. The simplicity of these pieces contributes to their beauty and brings a sense of space to the music. This is great news for beginners who don’t need to spend years practicing before discovering the joy of playing beautifully simple piano pieces.
If you’re interested in developing your classical piano style skills, start by practicing this list of classical piano music for beginners. Learning these pieces will give you a solid foundation that you can build upon as you advance in your lessons. Start slow and follow the advice of your piano teacher to develop proper technique along the way!
What is the Easiest Classical Piano Piece to Play?
If you’re looking for some easy beginner classical piano songs, you have no shortage of options! Some of the easiest songs to play include:
- A piece by Ludwig van Beethoven, “Für Elise,” is often considered to be one of the most popular and easiest classical piano pieces to play.
- Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Minuet in G” is another well-known and relatively easy piece.
- Composed by Muzio Clementi, the “Sonatina in C Major,” Op. 36 No. 1 is a great selection for a beginner to learn.
- Franz Schubert’s melodic work, “The Trout”, also presents an ideal choice for a novice pianist.
Ready to get started mastering these easy classic songs to play on piano? Signing up for piano lessons is a great way to begin. Not only will you learn the techniques you need to master these classical piano songs, easy peasy, but you’ll also uncover some helpful strategies that can be used across genres.
Just check out this video to get a better idea of what your classes will cover:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah-fdExgBrY
What Are the Top 15 Easy Piano Pieces?
The most beautiful easy piano music pieces for beginners include Bach’s Prelude to a Well-Tempered Clavier, Mozart’s A Little Night Music, Chopin’s Prelude in E Minor, Edward MacDowell’s Prelude to a Wild Rose, Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, Debussy’s Claire de Lune, Strauss’ Blue Danube, Offenbach’s Can-Can, Schubert’s Ave Maria, Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Beethoven’s Fur Elise, Bach’s Minuet in G, Tchaikovsky’s Theme from Swan Lake, Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Liszt and Rossini’s William Tell Overture. Learn more about them below.
Here are some classical piano songs, easy to learn for beginners to master in a flash:
1. Bach’s “Prelude to the Well Tempered Clavier”
This piece uses two simple piano notes in the left hand with arpeggios in the right hand. While this piece is not very long, it is full of dynamics that you can play around with. As you learn the mechanics of playing the notes, remember to also pay attention to the feeling and the flow of the music. It won’t take long to discover the beauty of this Bach number!
2. Mozart’s “A Little Night Music” 1st Movement
This orchestral piece can be easily transposed to solo piano. Check out this helpful tutorial, which breaks it down at a much slower pace, and don’t forget to use a metronome while you practice! Speed up the tempo only after you can accurately play the notes.
3. Chopin’s “Prelude in E min, Opus 28, No 4”
This melancholy minor classical piece has a simple melody in the right hand with basic chords on the left hand. It’s not hard to discover the rich feeling that Chopin wove into this beautiful piece. It’s one of the best easy classical piano songs to learn!
4. Edward MacDowell’s “To a Wild Rose”
This easy piano classic music song is a very light, simplistic classical piece. It sounds easy and refreshing, with simple fingering.
See Also: 15 Simple Piano Solos that Sound Complicated
5. Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”
This is often the first piano classical music song that students try when learning how to play the piano. That’s because the song has a very simple rhythm, melody, and fingering style. Just because it’s classical music for piano piece doesn’t mean the joy is lost!
6. Debussy’s “Claire de Lune”
Meaning “moonlight,” this next song on our list of easy classical piano songs for beginners is pretty straightforward. Many pianists like to arrange this song in their own way, so head to YouTube for some creative and inspiring arrangements!
7. Strauss’ “The Blue Danube”
This fun waltz might sound tricky, but it is actually not hard to play at all. Check out the slowed-down version above and try your hand at this classic.
See Also: 15 Pop Piano Songs to Practice
8. Offenbach’s “Can-Can”
If you want a small challenge, this uptempo song is perfect. Try listening to the original orchestral version for some extra inspiration.
9. Schubert’s “Ave Maria”
“Ave Maria” is a must for beginners learning how to play classical music. This beautiful beginner piano song is appropriate to play at a wide range of events, from weddings to funerals.
10. Pachelbel’s “Canon in D”
Originally performed with strings, this classical piano piece can sound very full when played on the piano with chords. The main motif is instantly recognizable!
See Also: 10 Tips for Perfect Piano Practice
11. Beethoven’s “Fur Elise”
One of the most memorable melodies on the piano, beginners can easily pick up this piece in the right hand and use simplified bass root notes in the left. Once you get this one down, chances are, it will be one of your favorite simple piano songs to play.
12. Bach’s “Minuet in G”
Another easy piano piece that sounds difficult, this minuet is a joy to play for all ages, and is an especially great piece for beginner pianists. Because it’s quite popular, it’s easy to find different arrangements online.
13. Tchaikovsky’s Theme from “Swan Lake”
Everyone knows this romantic anthem, often played to accompany dancers. The legato piece has a strong melody and a very easy rhythm.
See Also: 100 Easy Piano Songs to Play in All Genres and Styles
14. Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”
This iconic song from “The Nutcracker” is very fun to learn on the piano. You can take it as fast or as slow as you want. It’s also a great song for practicing staccato.
15. Liszt and Rossini’s “William Tell Overture”
This is another one of the easiest sings to learn on piano that’s sure to please. There are many great themes from this work to which you can learn the melody and rhythm.
Related: 5 Easy Pop Songs to Play
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the notes and fingering rules, check out this video on how to read piano music:
Tips for Mastering Easy Classical Piano Songs: Easy Tips for Beginners
If you’re excited about learning these easy classic piano songs, that’s great! A good dose of excitement is often all it takes to get started. And even if classical music isn’t your jam, know that learning the basics via easy classical piano songs is smart. This will help you learn the skills and strategies you need to move on to more advanced genres and songs, like easy classic rock piano songs.
Here are some tips for making the most of your piano lessons as you master these easy classic songs to play on piano:
Start With the Basics
First things first, make sure you have mastered the basics of piano playing before diving into more advanced pieces. This includes learning how to read sheet music, understanding music theory, and practicing proper hand position and finger technique.
Believe it or not, even the most accomplished pianists still practice the basics on a regular basis, as it’s crucial for maintaining good habits and preventing injury.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Learning a piano piece takes time and practice. In fact, it’s been proven that successful musicians practice for several hours a day, every day!
So, set yourself a consistent practice schedule and stick to it. Break the piece down into small sections and practice those sections repeatedly until you can play them accurately. Don’t try to master everything at once, as that can lead to frustration and burnout.
Pay Attention to Dynamics and Articulations
Classical piano pieces often contain more detailed markings (such as accents and crescendos) than contemporary music. These markings, known as dynamics and articulations, help convey the composer’s intent and bring the music to life.
Be sure to pay close attention to these markings and incorporate them into your playing, as they can greatly enhance the emotional impact of the piece.
Listen to Recordings
One of the best ways to improve your piano playing skills is by listening to recordings of professional pianists. You’ll not only hear how they interpret the piece, but you’ll also pick up on nuances and subtleties that you may have missed.
You can find classical music online, on the radio, or even in your local library. Listen to as many different versions of the piece as possible, and experiment with different tempos and phrasings.
Have Fun!
Don’t get bogged down by the technicality and complexity of classical pieces. Try to connect with the music and let yourself feel the emotions it evokes. Even if you make mistakes, keep going and enjoy the journey.
Who knows – one day, you might be the one inspiring others with your performances!
There’s a Whole World of Classical Piano Music Beginner Friendly Songs
There you have it: our picks for the best piano songs to learn for beginners. Now go give them a try! Even if something like learning Disney songs for easy classical piano players is your ultimate goal, the reality is that learning these easy beautiful classical piano songs is a great way to master the basics – so you can go on to do even more great things as a pianist.
Don’t feel intimidated or overwhelmed by classical music – just start with the basics: scales, chords, and beginner piano songs such as these. If you keep at it, your fingers will start to find the notes all on their own!
If you’re feeling stuck, you can find simplified arrangements for all of these songs in piano books, such as Hal Leonard and Alfred’s course books. There is also a wide range of instructional videos on YouTube that can help you master your next favorite classical piece. Although these resources can be helpful, nothing beats having your own piano teacher!
Post Author: Liz T.Liz T. teaches singing, acting, and music lessons online. She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M in Vocal performance and currently performs/teaches all styles of music including Musical Theater, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, R&B, and Country. Learn more about Liz here!
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