Top Songs for New Keyboard Piano Learners: Starting with the Classics

Embarking on your piano journey can be both exciting and challenging. As a beginner, choosing the right songs can significantly impact your learning experience. This guide offers a curated list of songs to start with, along with essential exercises and pieces that can help you build your skills.

Starting with the Right Songs

When you start learning the keyboard, it's important to pick songs that are both enjoyable and suitable for beginners. For example, Ludovico Einaudi's music, such as I giorni and Nuvole Bianche, are not only pleasant to listen to but also relatively straightforward to learn if you read sheet music. Many tutorials are available on YouTube to assist you. A great resource to consider is PlayPiano AT, which has helped over 450,000 students achieve their dreams in playing beautiful piano.

Exercises and Technical Development

Practicing consistently and systematically is crucial for improvement. Here are some essential exercises and pieces to consider:

Cramer's 84 Studies

Cramer's 84 Studies are a must for any beginner. If they seem too challenging, you can start with Moszkowski's Petites etudes Op. 91 instead. These exercises are designed to enhance your technical skills and help familiarize your fingers with different scales and arpeggios.

Scale and Chord Exercises

Practicing at least one 4-octave scale every week is crucial. Incorporate chord cadences in all inversions and arpeggios. Scales form the 'alphabet' of piano playing, and mastering them will help you tackle more complex musical forms.

Classical Repertoire: A Foundation for Progress

Delving into the classics can immensely improve your technique and musicality. Here are some recommendations:

Baroque Era: J.S. Bach

Start with individual dances from the French Suites. Moving on to the two-part inventions can also be beneficial. After gaining some confidence, challenge yourself with the Well-Tempered Clavier Vol. I in B-flat major.

Classical Era: Beethoven, Haydn, and Mozart

For a solid foundation, learn Beethoven's Fur Elise, Haydn's sonatas, and Mozart's sonatas and fantasias. Each of these pieces offers unique challenges and rewards.

Romantic Era: Schumann and Chopin

Explore Schumann's Album for the Young and Scenes from Childhood, which are sophisticated pieces that go beyond their youthful names. Move on to Chopin's preludes and mazurkas, and don't miss out on Brahms' waltzes.

Modern and Contemporary Repertoire

Don't forget to explore modern composers like Debussy, Bartok, and others. Short pieces in volumes like Debussy's Mikrokosmos and Shostakovich's Preludes Opus 34 are excellent choices.

Routines and Daily Practice

To make significant progress, you need to practice regularly. Aim for at least 40 minutes to an hour per day, gradually increasing your practice time. Consistency is key to improving your piano skills.

Remember, the learning process is not just about learning songs; it's about building a strong foundation in scales, chords, and musical theory. Enjoy the journey, and happy playing!

Keywords: Keyboard Piano, Beginner Piano Songs, Piano Learning Materials