Will Fenton
Do you want to improve your technique and eventually become a skilled piano player?
Well, the easiest way to do this is to explore the world of classical music.
Learning easy classical piano songs will introduce you to some of the greatest pianists of all time.
And not to mention how relaxing and fulfilling playing classical music can be…
So without further ado, let’s take a look at the best easy classical songs for beginners!
1. “Prelude to the Well-Tempered Clavier” by Bach
There’s no doubt about it – every piano student sooner or later plays Bach.
And “Prelude to the Well-Tempered Clavier” is easy to start with.
After all, Bach wrote this Prelude as a beginner piano song.
And it became piano players’ staple piece and generally one of the most popular beginner piano songs.
The Prelude has relatively simple chords and arpeggios.
But it sounds more complicated than it actually is – and that’s why it’s ideal for learners who are just starting out.
With this beautiful classical piece, you’ll improve your technique but you’ll also build your confidence.
2. “Für Elise” by Beethoven
We don’t have to make a special introduction for this one.
Beethoven’s “Für Elise” is hands down one of the most recognizable classical pieces.
And it’s an inevitable part of every piano student’s learning journey.
But “Für Elise” is not on our list just because it’s popular – it’s a beautiful, emotional classical piece that’s very pleasant to play.
The notes are rather simple, and the only challenging thing might be the tempo – but you can practice at the reduced speed first.
Eventually, your fingers will get used to the notes, and you’ll be able to play them smoothly.
Finally, “Für Elise” is all about perfect flow and emotion.
3. “Gymnopédie, No. 1” by Satie
Speaking of flow and emotion, nothing creates such a sentimental and enchanting atmosphere as Satie’s music.
Written in 1888, his “Gymnopédie, No. 1” is arguably one of his most memorable piano pieces.
Luckily, it’s also a great piano piece for beginners to play.
It’s slow, soft, and simple, and it doesn’t require using any complex techniques.
And once you become comfortable with all parts of the song, you’ll be able to pay attention to expression and emotion and truly enjoy it.
4. “A Little Night Music” by Mozart
Mozart is another famous composer whose repertoire every piano player eventually gets to know.
“A Little Night Music” is originally an orchestral piece, but it can easily be transposed to solo piano.
And it actually sounds beautiful on the piano.
It’s versatile and exciting, and practicing it will help you get better with tempo – although we suggest learning an easier version with a slower tempo first.
Either way, Mozart’s famous piece is certainly a good beginner piano song to add to your repertoire.
5. “Ode to Joy” by Beethoven
But let’s be honest – nothing is quite as famous as “Ode to Joy.”
This immediately recognizable melody is best known as part of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, completed in 1824.
It’s a beginner-friendly piano song because it has a simple rhythm, chord structure, and fingering.
And you’re already familiar with the melody, so it would be easy for you to hear if you play something wrong.
Therefore, you can learn the iconic “Ode to Joy” on the piano without hassle, even if you’re just starting out.
Just make sure you find an easy tutorial as there are some difficult parts too.
6. “Claire de Lune” by Debussy
There is something so dreamy and calming in “Claire de Lune”…
It’s without a doubt one of the most beautiful classical pieces for a piano.
The first part is slow and soft, and it’s suitable for beginners.
And then it gets challenging, so you should stick to the first part of a simplified arrangement for now.
Nevertheless, we promise you’ll enjoy playing it.
And as you progress, you can start learning the more complex parts of the song.
7. “Minuet in G” by Bach
“Minuet in G” is another famous Bach piece and a perfect song for piano beginners.
Although it was attributed to Bach for a long time, “Minuet in G” was actually written by Christian Petzold.
But the song is still widely associated with Johann Sebastian Bach.
The rhythm is rather simple and steady, and the melody is quite repetitive.
The use of five-note scales throughout the right hand also makes things easier, especially if you’ve been practicing scales.
That being said, you’ll be able to memorize everything easily.
8. “Canon in D” by Pachelbel
“Canon in D” by German Baroque composer Johann Pachelbel is another great option for beginners.
It’s soft and sentimental, and it’s relatively easy to learn, especially if you already have many beginner piano songs in your repertoire.
Either way, it’s a beautiful song to play, even though it’s usually performed with strings.
But if you approach it with emotion, it will sound full and powerful as a solo piano.
9. “To a Wild Rose” by Edward MacDowell
Edward MacDowell composed “To a Wild Rose” in
So it’s a modern classical piece, and many piano beginners decide to learn it.
In fact, “To a Wild Rose” is probably one of the easiest classical piano songs to learn.
It has a simple melody and fingering, and it doesn’t use any complex techniques.
It’s also quite slow and straightforward, so you don’t have to search for simplified arrangements.
10. “Einsame Blumen” by Schumann
Robert Schumann is another respectable composer and pianist known for his versatile works.
And his “Einsame Blumen (Lonely Flowers)” is one of his most recognizable classical piano songs.
It’s a part of his collection of piano miniatures called “Waldszenen”, or Forest Scenes.
It’s a great piano piece for beginners, but you should tackle it slowly, one section at a time while paying attention to dynamics and emotion.
11. “Prelude No. 7 in A Major” by Chopin
As a piano beginner, you should definitely familiarize yourself with Chopin’s repertoire and his preludes.
Chopin’s preludes are not hard to play, yet they will make you sound like a professional.
And we’re sure you’ll find the melody of “Prelude No. 7 in A Major” very familiar.
It’s one of Chopin’s popular pieces, and it’s ideal for piano beginners.
There are a couple of chords to remember, which are then repeated.
In essence, “Prelude No. 7 in A Major” is very short and simple, yet it’s powerful and memorable.
12. “Ave Maria” by Schubert
“Ave Maria” was originally written by Franz Schubert in 1825.
There are many versions of “Ave Maria”, both for piano and other instruments and vocalists.
You can also often hear it as a duet between piano and cello, piano and violin, or piano and vocals.
But it sounds beautiful when played on the piano only – very soft and peaceful.
It’s also easy to learn because there’s a lot of repetition.
So if you’re looking for simple and popular piano songs for beginners, Schubert’s “Ave Maria” is a good option.
13. “Swan Lake” by Tchaikovsky
Tchaikovsky was one of the most influential composers of the Romantic era.
And his most recognizable work is the “Swan Lake” theme song; a mesmerizing classical piece from the famous ballet of the same name.
The main theme is actually fairly easy to play.
However, playing “Swan Lake” on the piano does require effort – the melody is very strong, and you’ll need to pay attention to the song’s dynamics.
Nevertheless, we definitely recommend adding this heartbreaking song to your repertoire, especially if you’re a fan of ballet.
14. “William Tell Overture” by Liszt and Rossini
The moment you hear “William Tell Overture”, you’ll recognize the melody.
This famous piece is the overture to the opera William Tell, whose music was composed by Gioachino Rossini.
The piece was later transcribed by Liszt, so you can easily find the piano sheet music or a tutorial and play it on the piano.
And you’ll probably have a lot of fun meanwhile – “William Tell Overture” is very lively, but it does get a bit challenging after the first section.
15. “Can-Can” by Offenbach
“Can-Can” is another tune you will recognize right away.
It’s fast and energetic, but it’s relatively easy to learn because it’s straightforward and repetitive.
However, you’ll need some time to play it at its original speed, so take it slowly in the beginning.
And if you need some extra motivation, you can listen to the orchestral version.
Either way, we’re sure that the final result will be fun both for you and your listeners.
16. “The Blue Danube” by Strauss
Another popular melody you can easily learn on the piano is “The Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss.
Just like “Can-Can”, you can often hear “The Blue Danube” performed by the whole orchestra.
But it also sounds great on the piano.
However, you might want to consider playing the slowed-down version first.
And once you become comfortable with the notes, you can give them the full speed and power it deserves.
17. “Prelude in E minor, Op. 28, No 4” by Chopin
As we’ve already mentioned, Chopin’s music should be an essential part of every piano player’s repertoire.
And “Prelude in E minor, Op. 28, No 4” is arguably one of his most memorable piano pieces.
It’s sad and calming but also unpredictable, and it’s very satisfying to play.
The notes and chords are not hard to learn and memorize, and the tempo is quite straightforward.
However, you’ll have to put a lot of emotion into it if you want it to sound good.
18. “Primavera” by Ludovico Einaudi
Ludovico Einaudi is one of the most famous contemporary pianists and composers.
His compositions are usually very sentimental and dreamy, and there’s something very natural about them.
And his piano solo “Primavera” is no different.
It’s a beautiful contemporary classical piece, and although it’s suitable for beginners, you need some experience to tackle this, especially if you want to play it at full speed.
So if you’re ready to move on to the next level or you’re up for a challenge, Einaudi’s “Primavera” is a perfect choice.
19. “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven
If you want to add more pieces by Beethoven to your beginner piano repertoire, why now learn the famous “Moonlight Sonata”?
The first movement of “Moonlight Sonata” is the most famous one, and it’s relatively easy to learn – therefore, you can stick to this part for now.
Either way, this historic piece can sound amazing on the piano, even if you’re a beginner.
The melody is very powerful and dramatic, but the tempo is steady and it’s not too fast.
Plus, the whole piece is quite repetitive, so you’ll be able to spot the patterns and familiar melodies throughout the song.
20. “Sonata No. 16 (Sonata Facile)” by Mozart
Sonata facile means simple sonata in Italian.
So it’s easy to conclude that this melody composed by one of the greatest pianists of all time is fairly easy to learn.
However, some parts of Mozart’s sonata are pretty fast, but it’s nothing you can’t handle as long as you take it one section at a time.
The piece is generally very versatile, which makes it fun to learn.
Practicing this sonata will also help you improve your playing technique, finger dexterity, and the feel of rhythm.
And your knowledge of basic piano scales will certainly come in handy here.
Easy Classical Piano Songs – Final Thoughts
From Chopin’s preludes to Mozart’s sonatas, there’s plenty of classical music for you to play.
And there’s so much more to explore.
Playing easy classical piano songs is not only enjoyable, but it’s also very useful – it will help you improve your technique, rhythm, finger dexterity, and sight reading skills.
That being said, there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t start learning your first classical piano song right away.
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