Piano Guidance
Photo by burak kostak Pexels Logo Photo: burak kostak

Is Moonlight Sonata a beginner piece?

Beethoven: 'Moonlight' Sonata (I) But the 'Moonlight' Sonata is both beautiful and perfect for beginners. The first movement – the most famous section – is also the most straightforward to play.

What is the famous line from the Pirates of the Caribbean?
What is the famous line from the Pirates of the Caribbean?

“Not all treasure's silver and gold, mate.” -Jack Sparrow. More wise words from Captain Jack to help us realize what we truly treasure in life. Jan...

Read More »
Why is the sonata called the Moonlight Sonata?
Why is the sonata called the Moonlight Sonata?

The nickname Moonlight Sonata traces to the 1830s, when German Romantic poet Ludwig Rellstab published a review in which he likened the first...

Read More »

Are you just starting to learn the piano? Maybe you’re returning to the instrument after a few years away. Here are some perfect easy pieces to play on keys... These beautiful pieces – for beginners and intermediate players – are by some of the greatest composers of all time and are perfect to keep you motivated, whether you’re a new starter or you’re returning to the piano.

Here are some of our favourite pieces of easy music for keys.

Beethoven: Für Elise Beethoven is supposed to have written the short piano piece for a pupil called ‘Elise’ – but there’s not actually much evidence for that story. In fact, the dedication on the manuscript doesn’t even say Elise, it says ‘Für Therese’. But however it came about, this charming piano work is the perfect piece if you’re just starting out. Read more: What does Beethoven’s ‘Für Elise’ mean, and who was Elise? > Debussy: Clair de lune This haunting piano work is for any intermediate players out there. And if you’re a beginner, this is a great piece to work towards. The nickname ‘Clair de lune’ means ‘light of the moon’ and you can just imagine the gently shimmering reflection of a full moon in the sound of this piece by Debussy. Mozart: Sonata No. 16 (Sonata Facile) Mozart might be the most famous composer who ever lived, but that doesn’t mean that all of his pieces are incredibly difficult. In fact, he wrote this Sonata specifically for people just starting out on the piano – facile means ‘easy’ (though it’s not as easy as you might hope!). This is a great piece for beginners, or intermediate players who want to play a beautiful piece of Mozart without the breakneck semi-quavers. Here’s the brilliant young pianist Evan Le making it look incredibly easy… J.S. Bach: Minuet in G This piece comes from a notebook that belonged to Bach’s wife, Anna Magdalena. In her book she’d painstakingly copied out music by composers from the 17th and 18th century – including Couperin and her husband, Bach. This sweet little Minuet was long thought to have been by Bach but more recent research suggests it was actually by a composer called Christian Petzold. But poor of Petzold – most of the world still knows this work as Bach’s Minuet in G. Anyway, it’s a delightful little work. Give it a try! Einaudi: Primavera Literally meaning ‘Springtime’, this simple, meditative piece for solo piano is wonderfully satisfying to play. Written in E flat, it’s built on a signature Einaudi left-hand accompaniment of repeating broken chords and Alberti bass patterns. Then, a beautiful, twinkling melody soars over the top. Discover 10 facts about Italian composer, Ludovico Einaudi >

Who was the first black girl singer?
Who was the first black girl singer?

In 1920, jazz singer Mamie Smith released a record called “Crazy Blues.” She was the first Black female singer to record and release a blues song....

Read More »
What is the most forbidden riff?
What is the most forbidden riff?

In fact, thanks to Wayne's World (see above!), Stairway to Heaven is often referred to as THE forbidden riff. Learning Stairway to Heaven has...

Read More »

Schumann: ‘Einsame Blumen’ from Waldszenen Schumann was married to one of the greatest pianists of his era – Clara Wieck (later Clara Schumann). So it’s no surprise he wrote some of the best piano music of the Romantic age. Waldszenen, or ‘Forest Scenes’ is a collection of piano miniatures describing scenes from a cosy Wayside Inn to a lively hunt. The most approachable of the bunch is ‘Einsame Blumen’ – or Lonely Flowers. No one writes a melody like good old Schumann. Beethoven: ‘Moonlight’ Sonata (I) Beethoven wrote 32 piano sonatas and some of them have become real monoliths of the solo piano repertoire – every Romantic pianist worth their salt will tackle the ‘Hammerklavier’ Sonata in their career. But the ‘Moonlight’ Sonata is both beautiful and perfect for beginners. The first movement – the most famous section – is also the most straightforward to play. Satie: Gymnopédie No. 1 No one’s quite clear what the word ‘gymnopédie’ means, but what is certain, is that Satie’s Gymnopédies, written in 1888, are some of the most simple and beautiful pieces of all time. And the great news is that they’re easy to play! Each of them are designed to be played ‘Lent’ (or slowly), which will be music to the ears of any beginner pianist…

Why are keycaps so loud?
Why are keycaps so loud?

Since there's empty space inside the keycaps, the sound has a lot of room to echo, resulting in a loud noise when keys are pressed. If the plastic...

Read More »
Why are there weekly piano lessons?
Why are there weekly piano lessons?

Weekly piano lessons will help you develop the correct technique, habits and mindset. Playing the piano requires a proper technical foundation. By...

Read More »
Do digital pianos hold their value?
Do digital pianos hold their value?

The fact is, digital pianos over a few or many years can depreciate in a big way and they can also wear out and deteriorate. Also, older digital...

Read More »
What is the oldest recorded song?
What is the oldest recorded song?

1888: 'The Lost Chord' This is the earliest recording of music known to exist. In 1888 a recording of Arthur Sullivan's song 'The Lost Chord' was...

Read More »