Hello!
So I am a new piano player...a long road ahead. After doing all the first part of my training, my first "real" piece of music was Dawn (Pride and Prejudice).
It was a song way above my level but my teacher chose it for that very same reason.
It was a struggle to say the least but I am glad I stayed with it and while I can hardly call it a great performance right now, I can play it and now comes the part of mastering it and making it mine.
In any case, she asked me today to look for a second song and I surely want a classical piece since that is my goal..well my goal is Moonlight Sonata 3rd movement but that is not happening any time soon LOL
I always loved the 1st movement as well but she feels the expression and feeling of the song is too complicated right now. I am going to tray to convince her anyway but just in case, what other suggestions you have.
My preference is a song in that same "mood" of Moonlight Sonata 1st movement or Chopin Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2.
I am getting a baby grand next week so I am going to be living attached to my piano from now on
Thanks guys!

I would think your teacher, knowing your personality, ability, and what you like stylistically, would be better suited to provide suggestions than us.



That said - and since I did have one relevant example fresh in my mind - something that sort-of fits the bill: Bach Minuet in g minor BWV Anh. 115 by Christian Petzold. You can find many performances on youtube as well as the music on imslp.org.

What about Mozart Fantasia in d minor?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZtxHTSzsT8

And congratulation to your baby

We all start with the Bach Prelude I which has a
repetitive statement (very comforting)... while Pavel.K's suggestion of the Mozart Fantasia in D minor has the same opening chime of arpeggiated notes.

Nothing wrong with the first movement of the Moonlight
which we all add to our repertoire at an early stage ...
the first two measures can be polished off in two minutes flat ... while the opening statement is comparatively easy with broad octave chords in the LH leaving you ample time to concentrate on the treble theme.

where are you from? Why don't you just run through the RCM or ABRSM repertoire and follow the books and play pieces that are at your level... doing that will get you to the goal of playing the 3rd movement in moonlight.

I have this right now too; I think it is a blast to listen to a zillion possibilities!

An alternative to the Bach Prelude could be the Clementi Prelude in D minor.

Are you looking for an easy piece, or are just joking?

Here is a very easy classical piece which sounds very nicely, if it is played with great expression:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki2gL3pKT8g
Check other pieces from the same album Tchaikovsky op. 39, you can find some ideas here as well which also sound lovely.

Lovely piece indeed. Thanks for the recommendation.



I checked google and yes, one more piece that is not hard so I like it too!
Thanks


My reasoning behind Moonlight Sonata is , since it is a piece I like so much, I know I will put a lot more time into learning it which cannot be bad for my skills to develop faster vs going with a piece I may not like as much. Then again, the recommendations I am getting are great so it may be a mute point.

That is a very good idea. I am going to check what pieces are there for my level.


I like it. Never heard it before.
Thanks!

No idea what part of my post made you think I was joking.
That is a nice song which is easy so I can focus on expression.
Thanks for the recommendation!

How about trying some Chopin preludes? Opus 28 nos. 4, 6, 7, and 20 are all fairly short/easy pieces, and they are very beautiful when played with feeling and expression. Since expression seems to be your focus right now, I think these would be great pieces to study, and they will also serve as building blocks to larger repertoire such as the Moonlight Sonata.

I will check those out. Yes I think expression is my key now since I do not have the skills for very fast pieces...I love to but not there yet.

I'm in the process of learning to play Moonlight Sonata 1st movement, and it's harder than it looks. I spent a couple of weeks just to get the 2 voices going in the right hand starting in measure 5. Everytime I set at the piano I just played that measure a couple of times and moved on with other pieces.
Why don't you give it a go? You'll find out quickly if it's still beyond your reach or not.

the RCM or ABRSM repertoire and follow the books and play pieces that are at your level.

I am going to look at those and hope some of the pieces are one I like cause for me music is to enjoy not to punish myself like I was in school. I am sure I can find something I can enjoy and learn as well. Lots of good recommendations on this thread so I got plenty to look at.

I actually played it many years ago using a mix of bad reading skills and ear learning and while I am sure my expression was all over the place, there is something about that piece that I know I would not mind practicing over and over.
I will give it a try.

In the mean time I have been learning something from my childhood...The Lonely Man theme from the old TV Series Hulk. I find it very beautiful and short too.