What is the most overplayed piano piece?

The 5 Most Overplayed Beginner Piano Pieces (And the Truth Behind Them) Für Elise. We wonder if Ludwig Van Beethoven really knew the lasting effect his composition of “Für Elise” would have. ... Heart and Soul. ... Chopsticks. ... Canon in D. ... The Entertainer.

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The 5 Most Overplayed Beginner Piano Pieces (And the Truth Behind Them)

We’ve all heard them. Whether you were innocently waiting for your director in the choir room or attending your 800th recital, there are a few beginner piano pieces that you know by heart because everybody plays them. And whether you like them or not, they aren’t going away, so you might as well get used to them! We’re going to give you the inside scoop on the five most overplayed beginner piano pieces of all time!

1. Für Elise

We wonder if Ludwig Van Beethoven really knew the lasting effect his composition of “Für Elise” would have. Was it his goal for children everywhere to be using this piece for learning the dexterity of their ring and pinky fingers on the keyboard? In any case, the original composition is actually quite beautiful and consists of much more than what is often played. The section of “Für Elise” we usually hear is the elegant opening binary form melody, set in A minor. Later in the piece, however, it shifts to F major, then C major, before returning to A minor by the end. These major sections of the piece are complex enough to be more suited for the intermediate player. Even so, the descending upper-octave run that opens the piece is usually simple enough for beginners to learn and then repeat anytime a piano or keyboard is nearby. Beginner players love to show off their skills because they get instant recognition from those nearby who have, no doubt, heard the piece before in various settings. This reinforces the desire to keep playing the piece in new situations when a crowd gathers. As is the case of any intricate composition, simplifying to an easier version can take a lot of substance out of a piece. Therefore, the easy piano version of “Für Elise” can get very repetitive very quickly.

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2. Heart and Soul

Yes, “Heart and Soul” is the song music students everywhere are annoyingly banging out on the piano before rehearsal. We’re not sure how this Hoagy Carmichael evolved so greatly, considering the original tune is actually a lovely, easy-listening jazz tune. Listen below, and notice its Big Band swing meter, soulful melody, and warm tonality. But somewhere along the way, this incredibly detailed song was reduced to a few notes that anyone (musician or not) could learn. Often played as a duet with one person holding down the bass/chord progression and the other tinkering out the melody, “Heart and Soul” is now less likely to retake the jazz stage and more likely to be found like this:

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Browse all “Heart and Soul” Arrangements

“Heart and Soul” therefore becomes one of the most overplayed piano songs because its bouncy staccato opening is simple enough to learn and can be accomplished with two people looking to perform something low-risk and entertaining. The duet is seemingly a go-to party trick that’s fun for the players to demonstrate, but it gets old fast!

3. Chopsticks

For some reason, it seems that Chopsticks can only be played in the fortissimo dynamic, which makes the clashy, close-structured tune all the more cringe-worthy. What you may not know is that “Chopsticks” was originally titled “The Celebrated Chop Waltz,” and composer Arthur de Lulli‘s intention was for the piece to be a waltz. Listen to the original composition below and compare it with the tune you’re used to. As is the case with the first two pieces in this list, the simplified version of “Chopsticks” has turned a lovely happy piece into a bit of an annoyance.The trouble seems to be that when a melodic structure can be oversimplified, it does not always retain its original time signature. When a professional performer or educator honors the original composition and leans into the waltz meter, the piece is elegant, even emotionally moving. But when it is reduced to its elements for quick entertainment, it becomes grating and banal. And, as many of us have experienced, it gets even worse if the piano is slightly out of tune!

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4. Canon in D

“Pachabel’s Canon” or “Canon in D” is one of those pieces that seems to go on for an eternity. Johan Pachelbel originally composed Canon in D for a string quartet, and if you haven’t heard it at a wedding yet, just wait, because it’s simply inevitable. “Canon in D” has a legitimate appeal during bridal ceremonies because of the true drama in the low-end. The largo tempo and mysterious plodding of the bass notes invite the listener into a gentle romantic sway. It is also one of those ubiquitous piano songs that everyone knows, even if they don’t know its title, age, or composer. This makes it a popular choice for weddings, too, because the more familiar the music, the more emotion it can evoke. Humans are creatures of habit and are easily transformed by music that reminds them of special moments in their own life. Unfortunately, due to the fact that the bass line stays exactly the same throughout the entire piece, the more simplified piano arrangements of this famous composition seem to drag more than any other piece. When the piece is played too slowly, wedding guests may feel a familiar, sleepy torpor after hearing the first two notes. In any case, it’s still one of the most commonly played songs by beginning piano students and is commonly used for scale practice and finger strengthening.

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5. The Entertainer

Scott Joplin‘s “The Entertainer” is an exciting rag piece for beginning piano students to learn. Its syncopation and vintage barrel-roll quality make it both fun to play and successful at impressing guests. Initially sold as sheet music in 1902, “The Entertainer” began being sold as piano rolls in 1910 so that it could be played on player pianos. As a result, it is not a stretch to say that as many as five generations of Americans came to know this piece during their childhood. Certainly, after it was featured prominently in 1973’s film The Sting, it enjoyed a new cultural reach among baby boomers, Gen X, and their children. Though we certainly have an appreciation for this upbeat and lively rag, simplified, easy piano arrangements are much less involved and are typically played at a very slow tempo. The familiar melody has also been included in jack-in-the-boxes and mechanical ballerinas. Because of its versatility, it is one of those overplayed piano songs that everyone knows, even if you didn’t grow up with a piano in your house. Perhaps because of this, “The Entertainer” is a piece that nearly every beginning piano student longs to conquer!

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We couldn’t end this list without sharing this amazing video from our friends at Sheet Music Boss. They’ve played these pieces as you’d typically hear them, mistakes and all! They’ve included “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “The Flea Waltz” in their video–two additional overplayed beginner piano pieces! We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of overplayed piano pieces (and had a chuckle or two). If you’re ever on the hunt for some fresh arrangements, browse through some easy piano sheet music at Musicnotes.com! Find anything from your favorite movie soundtrack to the latest songs on the charts and give your performances points for originality! Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and make a purchase, Musicnotes will receive an affiliate commission. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

musicnotes.com - The 5 Most Overplayed Beginner Piano Pieces (And the Truth Behind ...

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