What Classical Piano Pieces Should an Intermediate Player Learn Next?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on recommendations for classical piano pieces suitable for an intermediate player. Participants share their suggestions based on personal experiences and preferences, focusing on pieces that are manageable for self-taught learners.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests starting with pieces like "The Entertainer" and "Mapleleaf Rag," noting they are more accessible than advanced works.
  • Another participant mentions "Fantasie Impromptu" by Chopin as a favorite but acknowledges it may be too advanced for the original poster.
  • Several participants recommend "Moonlight Sonata," highlighting its varying difficulty across movements, with some suggesting the second movement as manageable.
  • One participant proposes "Traumerie" by Schumann and "Moment Musical" by Schubert as good alternatives for technique development.
  • Another participant mentions "Clair de Lune" by Debussy as complex and potentially beyond the original poster's current skill level.
  • Suggestions also include "Pavane pour une infante defunte" by Ravel and "Bach's Minuet in G Minor," with some participants emphasizing the importance of selecting pieces that match the player's current abilities.
  • There is a discussion about the difficulty of transitioning from "Fur Elise" to more complex pieces, with some participants cautioning against attempting too much too soon.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the suitability of various pieces for an intermediate player. While there are some common suggestions, such as "Moonlight Sonata," there is no consensus on which pieces are definitively appropriate, reflecting differing views on difficulty and personal preference.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that certain pieces may be too challenging for the original poster, emphasizing the importance of gradual progression in skill development. There are also references to specific editions of music books, which may influence the selection of pieces.

Who May Find This Useful

Intermediate piano players seeking recommendations for classical pieces that align with their skill level and preferences may find this discussion beneficial.

ehrenfest
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http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/pages...usic/detail/MS.AM66895.html&t=&k=&r=wwws-err5

School's out, so I finally have time to learn some piano pieces.

You can see the contents of the book I own above.

I have been playing for about a year. I would say I am at an intermediate level. I can play Fur Elise pretty well. I like classical music ONLY. I have to learn all by myself so don't give me something too difficult. Give me at least 2 or 3 suggestions.
 
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Fantasie Impromptu by Frederic Chopin
but its fairly advanced, but one of my favourites.
And though its not in that book I like
Clare de Lune by Debussy


But more realistically some classics are
The Entertainer
Mapleleaf Rag

And Chopin Etude 25 no9
 
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I agree with all of the ideas K. J. Healey mentioned (except I will have to look up Chopin Etude 25... it isn't coming to me at the moment, and I don't want to plug in my flash drive right at the moment - its probably on there though!) Chopin may be a stretch for your level. Moonlight Sonata. The 2nd part of Moonlight Sonata is very short, but nice and simple. The 3rd movement is a challenge though, I love playing that song. If the Music Box is the same one I am thinking, it was a nice melody when I was a kid (but not as fun as The Entertainer or Mapleleaf Rag). Many of the names on the list are so very familiar, but I would have to listen to them to remember which one they are, and the difficulty level. I think many of the songs in my Mozart book are simple, but I am not a huge Mozart fan so I have not played most of them...

I just may have to buy myself that book, it has a great selection!
 
Ooh, I just re read the list and I had missed one of my favorites! Malaguena. Not sure if the song in the book is the same as the one I have, but I STILL enjoy playing that song after all these years. If it is the same version as what I play, it may be too difficult for you right now, but I love that song.
 
How about one of the nice Yann Tiersen ones from the Amelie OST? Moulin is nice.
 
Stay within your reach

It's great that you are an aspiring self taught classical pianist! I started out the same way myself, until I reached a point where I needed a teacher to help me progress to where I wanted to be.

Jumping from Fur Elise to Fantasie Impromptu, any Chopin Etude, or even Claire de Lune is insane... that's like trying to run a marathon after just learning to walk. Those pieces should wait for several more years of serious study before you attempt them. Although you could possibly manage the notes, it's what's between the notes and bringing out the music that makes them so hard, technical difficulties aside.

Perhaps try these for some equally great musical pieces that will help you grow your technique and would allow you to play a more convincing performance:

Traumerie - Schumann
Moment Musical op 90 #3 - Schubert
2nd movement Pathetique - Beethoven
Bach - any of the 2 part inventions, prelude in C major book 1 of WTK
Solffeggietto - CPE Bach
Chopin - prelude #4 (this is very nice) prelude # 6, #7, #15 (Raindrop), #20

You can find the sheet music to any of these at SheetmusicArchive.net for free
 
wzm4114 said:
Jumping from Fur Elise to Fantasie Impromptu, any Chopin Etude, or even Claire de Lune is insane...

I was thinking about that on my commute home last night, they are rather difficult compared to Fur Elise. (But I still agree with The Entertainer and Mapleleaf Rag - those are both very good although not in your book) The only song I can remember from my youth unfortunately also isn't in your book, but if you can buy the sheet music it is very nice. I still remember the melody after 35 years, so it made quite the impression on me. Most of my early pieces I don't remember at all. http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/pages...c/detail/MS.BMC-10910.html&t=&k=&r=wwws-err5"

My other suggestion is it appears the book you have may be a higher level, so I would suggest going to your own link you provided in OP, click on the link for the Easy Piano Classics (in the right hand collumn) and see what songs are in both books. I did a quick scan and it appears there are a few. If my memory serves right (I looked a few hours ago... :confused:) "Four Pieces From The Little Notebook (Bach)" is one that was in both books.

And side note - Thank you to wzm for providing the link. Now I don't have to go buy that Rachmaninov book. :wink:
 
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I vote for Moonlight Sonata. My cousin took up piano as an adult, and one of the first pieces he mastered was Moonlight Sonata. It sounded wonderful on his Yamaha baby grand. When he had his house built he chose to have a front room with an open cathedral ceiling - it made a wonderful music room. He turned out to be a pretty good pianist, and could probably sound good on an ancient upright in a church basement.:biggrin:
 
  • #10
Ms Music said:
they are rather difficult compared to Fur Elise.

They are VERY difficult compared to Fur Elise. Debussy's Clair de Lune is an extremely complex piece and any "normal" person (=not a musical genius) would need to play the piano for years before being able to play it well (I played the piano for over 7 years and it was still too difficult).

The Etude is also difficult. If you want to play Chopin I would recommend trying some of his walzes, some of them are relatively easy. There are also a few Nocturnes that might be worth trying, e.g. Opus 9 no 2 ; still challenging but not as complicated as most of his music (and it sound good even if you can't play tempo rubato) .
 
  • #11
Pavane pour une infante defunte

This is a wonderful piece by Ravel, and for the most part not that difficult. (I used to play it.)
 
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  • #12
Math Is Hard said:
This is a wonderful piece by Ravel, and for the most part not that difficult. (I used to play it.)
Oooh! Dead babies rule!
 
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  • #13
Bach, Prelude and Fugue (Book1, no.2)
http://www.magnatune.com/artists/albums/dbp-wtc1a/
Here's what it could sound like. This guy is playing it really fast, so don't freak out. You can make it sound great at half this speed.

My general rule for playing the piano:
"Life is too short to play anything other than Bach."
 
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  • #14
turbo-1 said:
I vote for Moonlight Sonata. My cousin took up piano as an adult, and one of the first pieces he mastered was Moonlight Sonata. It sounded wonderful on his Yamaha baby grand. When he had his house built he chose to have a front room with an open cathedral ceiling - it made a wonderful music room. He turned out to be a pretty good pianist, and could probably sound good on an ancient upright in a church basement.:biggrin:

Me, too! Moonlight Sonata!
 
  • #16
OK. Thanks for your input everyone.

I will take on Malaguena by Albeniz and Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven.
 
  • #17
Actually, Moonlight Sonata sounds really creepy to me in the YouTube videos so I think I will replace that with Bach's Minuet in G Minor. I will post back here when I finish and ask for more suggestions. Last time a learned a new song, I just learned the first song in my book without even listening to it beforehand. Thanks for giving me these YouTube links--those are extremely helpful.
 
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