Easy (but gorgeous!) piano pieces

Do you ever feel like you want to sightread something that is simple, but not so simple to the point of being boring? Or perhaps you are on the hunt for some good repertoire for your intermediate students. Here is a lovely list of pieces that will fit nicely into either criteria.

Ravel: Menuet sur le nom d'Haydn

Such a charming, seldom performed piece. This minuet was dedicated to the classical composer Joseph Haydn. While not incredibly difficult technically, in the middle sectioning gets a teeny bit complicated, as the music splits into 3 staves for a moment.

Ravel: Prelude in A minor (1913)

Simple rhythms, beautiful melodies; some of the harmonies may be a little tricky to get accustomed to, but overall a very easy composition. Ravel's other piano compositions are very difficult; this prelude and the previous composition (the minuet) are his only 'easy' works. They are great for getting the young pupil's ears accustomed to the obscure yet beautiful french contemporary style.

Tchaikovsky: Old French Song

Another hidden beauty: this little song comes from Tchaikovsky's children's album op 39. Many great compositions among this set.

Tchaikovsky: Morning Prayer

One more piece from Tchaikovsky's op. 39. SO beautiful! (If it's good enough for Valentina it should be good enough for you!) The only difficult aspect of this piece is making sure you have a grasp of the style, and control your sound. But other than that, it is fairly easy to learn.

Kabelevsky: Etude Op 27 no 3, a minor

Very fun to play; it sounds much more difficult than it actually is! Requires limber fingers, but nothing too extensive.

Debussy: Le Petit Nègre

Beautiful little composition y Debussy; more opportunities to expose your kids to the lovely french music! Not too difficult, just a few places that will test your rhythm-reading skills.

Grieg: Waltz Op. 12 No. 2

Grieg is so lovable. Always such beautiful melodies with folk-like characters. This piece lets you experience this composer's style to the fullest, yet it is an easy piece to play.

MacDowell: To a wild rose

Edward Macdowell was an american composer. THis is one of his most popular pieces for piano; it is so sublimely perfect! it's basically sight-readable, yet there is so many possibilties for phrasing.