Ready-made pieces
Music to play straight away, no file needed: folk songs, Bach, Beethoven and Pachelbel in simple arrangements, and lead sheets for jazz. All of it is in the public domain.
Classical and folk
Beginner
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star · TraditionalThe first tune most pianists learn: steps and one leap, a left hand of two notes.C position, steady quarters · about 1 min
- Mary Had a Little Lamb · TraditionalOnly C, D, E and G in the right hand — all about an even touch.three fingers, repeated notes · about 1 min
- Ode to Joy · Ludwig van BeethovenBeethoven's theme in C position, with its famous dotted rhythm.five-finger position, dotted rhythm · about 1 min
- Au Clair de la Lune · Traditional (France)A calm song that steps down below middle C in its middle section.half notes, reaching below C · about 1 min
- Frère Jacques · Traditional (France)Its third line brings the first quick eighths; play it as a round with a friend.first eighth notes · about 1 min
- Jingle Bells (chorus) · James Lord PierpontFun to play fast — and a test of keeping repeated notes even.repeated notes, a dotted quarter · about 1 min
Level 1
- Minuet in G major · Christian PetzoldFrom Anna Magdalena Bach's notebook: the classic first two-handed dance.both hands moving, 3/4 · about 1 min
- Canon in D (easy) · Johann PachelbelThe famous chord loop: a slow melody over a bass that walks every half note.two sharps, a bass that moves · about 2 min
- Greensleeves · Traditional (England)A minor-key song in 3/4 with the leading note G♯ — expressive and singable.A minor, dotted rhythms, G♯ · about 2 min
Level 2
- Für Elise (theme) · Ludwig van BeethovenThe opening everyone asks for: quick sixteenths shared between the hands.sixteenths, hands taking turns · about 1 min
- Prelude in C (opening) · Johann Sebastian BachBach's first prelude: one broken-chord figure, changing harmony every bar.broken chords, evenness · about 2 min