From grand sonatas to intimate piano solos, classical music has captured the hearts of listeners for centuries. Yet despite their lofty reputation, some of history's most beloved classical works are surprisingly approachable – even for beginner pianists.

With dozens of such pieces to choose from, finding the right one to play can be tough. Between them, famous composers like Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven are responsible for over 2,500 works, so diving into their respective catalogs may feel daunting.

To help you start learning immediately, we've handpicked ten of the easiest classical works to play. From Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" to Erik Satie's "Gymnopédie No. 1," all are available to learn with the flowkey app. Each piece offers a unique opportunity to learn new techniques, explore different moods, and absorb the style of a renowned classical composer.

Let's get started.

1. Edvard Grieg - Morning Mood

Tranquil and beautiful

Even if you don't recognize this piece by name, you may recall its dreamy melodies. Originally written to soundtrack the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's 1867 play Peer Gynt, "Morning Mood" has appeared in countless films and television shows (Father Ted, Family Guy), often accompanying tranquil, beautiful scenes.

Although "Morning Mood" was originally a showcase for flute and oboe, the tune translates beautifully to piano. flowkey's beginner arrangement offers novice players an accessible route into this timeless classic, outlining its gorgeous melody with minimal accompaniment.

2. Johann Pachelbel - Canon in D

A gateway to Baroque

As one of the most recognizable pieces of baroque music, Pachelbel's "Canon in D" has been performed at weddings and celebrations worldwide for centuries. Its repeated harmonic progression has a mesmerizing quality that remains fresh even after repeated listening.

flowkey's beginner version dramatically simplifies the original tune, stripping back the rhythms to their bare essentials. This allows you to focus on mastering the piece's core element: the repeating progression that gives it its name. All in all, "Canon in D" is a perfect gateway to Baroque style.

3. Beethoven - Ode to Joy

Bold and uplifting

Taken from the fourth movement of Beethoven's unparalleled Symphony No. 9, "Ode to Joy" is a universal anthem of hope and unity. Its bold and uplifting melody – one of the most recognizable in classical music – make it an especially rewarding piece for new pianists to learn.

flowkey's beginner arrangement distils the theme into its simplest form, with a strong melodic line that sounds rich without demanding much technical skill. Focus on articulating the right hand with clarity and precision, but watch out for the descending quavers at the end of bar four.

4. Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake Theme

Simple left-hand patterns

Taking pride of place in Pyotr Tchaikovsky's epic Swan Lake ballet from 1877, "Swan Lake Theme" is undoubtedly the composer's most well-known tune. One-hundred-and-fifty years later, its ethereal melody evokes a romantic sense of yearning and mournful beauty seldom heard in music.

In flowkey's beginner arrangement, the sweeping theme becomes manageable, with simplified left-hand patterns that support rather than overshadow the melody. The graceful interplay between both hands in this piece makes it an ideal practice exercise for those looking to strengthen their hand independence.

5. Bach - Prelude No. 1

Bach's most accessible piece

"Prelude No. 1" is Bach's most accessible piece. As such, it's an ideal entry-point for beginner pianists looking to explore this astonishingly talented composer's catalog, which totals over 1,000 works.

Comprising a series of simple repeated arpeggios, "Prelude No. 1" is tailor-made for new players. Once you're comfortable with the rhythm down and have the notes memorized, feel free to to experiment with bringing feeling and humanity to your performance through subtle variations in dynamics and tempo.

6. Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata

A dreamy classic

Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" is one of the most iconic piano works ever written. Its opening movement is surprisingly accessible for beginners. There's a triplet pattern in the right hand, set against sustained notes in the left, creating a dreamlike and mysterious mood, which explains why it remains so popular more than two centuries after its 1802 debut.

As a beginner, triplets may be new to you, so be sure to approach this concept with care. As always, patient practice will get the best results: don't be afraid to start at a slow tempo and build up speed gradually.

7. Claude Debussy - Clair de Lune

Softly glowing sound

"Clair de Lune" is French for "moonlight," which also reflects this beloved composition's softly glowing sound. Like Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata", another piece inspired by that special nocturnal feeling, "Clair de Lune" is a permanent perennial favourite for both pianists and listeners.

flowkey's beginner version of "Clair de Lune" simplifies its famous right-hand melody, pairing it with a basic accompaniment that creates a real sense of harmony. Once you've mastered both hands, take a stab at the intermediate version, which much more closely resembles the original piece.

8. Erik Satie - Gymnopédie No.1

Elegant simplicity

"Gymnopédie No.1" captures everything listeners love about Erik Satie's work. There's elegant simplicity, soothing melodies and colourful, impressionistic chords that make this French composer and pianist a true original.

This a piece that demands a certain playing style. Satie marked the piece "lent et douloureux", literally translating to "slow and painful." In practice, this marking tells the pianist to play slowly, with great expression, shaping the melody with sensitivity and letting each note resonate fully.

9. Beethoven - Für Elise

A must for beginners

Beethoven's "Für Elise" is one of the first classical pieces many piano students encounter. Its playful opening motif is instantly recognizable, making it an absolute joy to learn and perform.

While flowkey offers "Fur Elise" at an intermediate level, adventurous beginners shouldn't find it too daunting. Written in 3/8 time, the piece provides a great opportunity to explore rhythms that venture outside of the more familiar 4/4, helping players develop a sense of flowing, waltz-like motion. Your patience will be rewarded.

10. Mozart - Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

One of music's most popular pieces

Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" (German for "A Little Night Music") is one of the most popular works in the entire classical repertoire. Its lively opening movement, with its buoyant staccato rhythm, translates wonderfully to piano. Sophisticated but achievable, it makes the perfect finale to our list of beginner-friendly pieces.

This is an excellent option for pianists to practice when developing finger dexterity. Notes must be articulated precisely and with clear phrasing; take care not to let them ring out for longer than necessary. Though flowkey's beginner arrangement doesn't include staccato markings (dots above or below notes that instruct pianists to perform them shortly and sharply) practicing with a light, detached touch will help to capture the playful and spirited character of Mozart's timeless piece.

Start learning with the flowkey app

All these songs – and thousands more – are available to learn with the flowkey app. You'll also have access to a whole library of beautiful piano arrangements spanning a range of genres, including, classical, pop, video game music, and more. Download the flowkey app and start learning today.