So I'm trying to impress a girl with my piano skills. Which piece would you choose? I'm thinking something by Yiruma, but maybe Taylor Swift or so...

Funny topic... ten points for honesty.

Get her to tell you her favorite song ever, and then learn it. Quickly.

writing one and name it after her.

That's it!

what if you can't write a song?

Or worse... what if you write one, name it for her, and she doesn't like it? I stand by my original suggestion.

How old is she ? Taylor Swift imo

fur elise [does she play piano? --better than you?]

Nah she doesnt play it. Now I'm thinking more about My Heart Will go On since I can't personally write music. Any more suggestions?

Depends on the girl. If I were a girl I'd probably just like it that you're playing something for me. I like Legal Beagle's first suggestion. How impressed she'll be probably depends on how fast and how well you learn it, and if you can't find piano sheet music for it, she should be impressed if you transcribe some, then learn it well, then play it for her. Boom, headshot.

Edit: ...and if she says her favorite song is the Rach 2 or something, no worries because the difficulty is directly related to how impressed she'll be; she'll be über impressed if you learn it well and play it for her.

Legal Beagle's suggestion is excellent.

Even better, learn to sound out the song on the spot. Check out the girl's reaction at 2:00 of this awesome ChatRoulette / piano improv video making the rounds:

Learn a song with her name in the title. "Emily";" Lucille"; "once in love with Amy"; etc.

Oooh, I like that a lot, daviel. Of course, if her name is Lafawnda or something you might have a little trouble...

Of course, if her name really is Lafawnduh (discovered I had spelled it wrong), then I recommend this: For Lafawnduh

My proposition: learn a good ragtime from Scott Joplin. Ladies love ragtime - but will never admit..

The Godowsky-Chopin etude arrangements.
She'll think you're Superman.

Sweet Bye and Bye, or The Robin's Return? Not very difficult to learn but the melodies are sweet.

I would play whatever impresses YOU the most.

You will put 100% into that one, and she will like you for who you are (or not) and not just because you are trying to impress her.

That is absolutely hilarious. What a champion this guy is!! pure gold, hahaha

Even if you play badly and she still is happy you played something for her, then you have true love

This is so AMAZING!!! Also, a great way to share his music and to make people smile!
: )

Claire De Lune (what girl doesn't watch Twilight)
Traumerei (sweet piece)
Rhapsody on a Theme By Paganini (Maybe for the older women but it has a sweet melody

Now if you want to play something virtuosic, you need to stay away from the abstract and dissonant works not exactly appealing to the ears of non-musicians - Liszt, Bach, Rach, Prokofiev, e.t.c.

Maybe take a look at some Chopin Nocturnes

Probably try to think of a song that reminds you of her, tell her why and then play it for her. Unless it's "Back Dat A** up" or something like that. Although, if she has a good sense of humor, it might make her laugh

Hi, maybe you should play the overplayed moonlight's sonata 1st movement. Even if its really trivial all girls like it, especially if you play it for them. And you can learn it in less than a week.

But I have to admit (sadly) that Bach is NOT the way to go
But some "romantic" bach pieces would do the job.. IE variation 25 (Goldberg), some transcriptions (like 1068 aria), adagio 564..
maybe contrapunctus 1 from the art of fugue can please an untrained ear.

I forgot to include an other easy romantic piece, the chopins op28 #4 "suffocation", easy to play and good for girls

It really does depend on the girl, but make sure it's something you can play well. Better to play an easier piece well than mess up on a harder one in front of the girl you like...

anything but "Lord I Was Born a Ramblin' Man" by the Allman Brothers...

this one worked for me though, I wrote it on Valentine's Day for my girlfriend. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78ZqKLfKQQU

When I was in college there was a beautiful grand piano in the student union. My freshman year I sat down and started to play "The Days of Wine and Roses." This incredible blonde came over to me and just stood there. When I finished I knew she had a strong connection to the song. We dated for quite a while after that and all my friends would call her "Days." Go with a ballad my friend.

Andy

Either the Mendelssohn or Wagner Wedding March. "I know it's silly, but it's always been my favourite tune..."

Or compose one. A skilfully constructed "special song" can be adapted to any name. Think "Happy Birthday". Mine has been recycled several times :-)

The only time I ever got picked up on a gig, she said she always liked pianists, they had such clever fingers. (Yes, really)

Has anyone mentioned Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water? Take a crack at that tune and any woman will be impressed.

katt