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Hi folks, first post!

I started playing the piano again at the end of November last year after a 15 year break. I achieved grade 5 ABRSM in the UK when I was younger and have been pleasantly surprised at how quickly it's all coming back to me.
My issue at the moment is that I don't have an insight into what pieces to try nextt. I have seen some other threads on here with ideas including one which had a link to a spreadsheet with lists of pieces and their difficulty in various grades. It's good, but is basically a lists of song names that doesn't mean a lot to me. I'm not knowledgeable about classical music really, I don't have a good idea of what different composers are like or any clue about pieces by name. I'd really like some suggestions from those who do know more as to what might be fun to try next.

I currently play the following well, that is, to a level that gives me enjoyment in playing them, not mastered necessarily, but that's not what I'm aiming for, I just want to enjoy playing!

Mozart Fantasy in D min - love this piece the best!
Beethoven Für Elise all sections
Pachelbel Canon in D
Chopin prelude no 4 in E min
Beethoven sonata c maj op2. No 3 - just the adagio section, I love this sonata but the adagio is all I can play for now.

I'm currently working on these and getting on well
Joplin The Entertainer complete score
Mozart rondo alla turka
Debussy Clair de lune - love this but the arpeggios from bar. 27 have me stumped for now.

Any suggestions as for what else to try would be very welcome. Thanks in advance, I'm so glad I started playing again.

How far along are you with the Joplin piece?

Easier Chopin that would seem well within your reach would include the B-minor Prelude op28-no.6, or the Waltz in A minor- Op.posth. that is shown below:


Mozart Sonata K545 , the so-called Sonata Facile, is studied by many intermediate players.

If you like opera, there are nice arrangements available of the melodic arias of Puccini. Here's one such book on Amazon Puccini Piano Solos

I second the Chopin Preludes. Also, have you tried any Bach? I think you may want to start with some of his Little Preludes or his Prelude in C from the Well-Tempered Clavier book 1.

There have been quite a few threads about people asking for repertoire suggestions at your approximate level. Some of these may be in the Pianist's Corner. It the names of pieces don't mean anything to you, then I'd suggest listening to a YouTube performance by a good professional pianist to help you decide if you like the piece.

This old PW thread should be helpful solving problems with Claire de Lune:
https://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubb...0de%20lune%20from%20Scratch%20-%20Y.html

You are in need of some Baroque and some 20th-21st century

If you like the Mozart Fantasy then you'd probably enjoy some of the Scarlatti sonatas in minor keys. There are hundreds. Have a listen to whatever you can find.

Perhaps a movement or two of a suite by Handel.

20th-21st -- how about one of the Shostakovich Preludes Op. 34 or Preludes and Fugues Op. 87?
Or a Gershwin song transcription? These are titled "Improvisations" but they are fully notated.
Hovhaness has about a million pieces to his credit...
And Prokofiev has many under-appreciated gems like Op. 3. Might be a bit easy for you but that's good once in a while esp. if the period or style is unfamiliar.
Arvo Part? There are some deceptively simple ones like Variations on the Healing of Arinuschka.

I can now play all sections of the entertainer, but only at about 2/3rds tempo in general.

JimF - thanks for the Chopin suggestions. I'll have a look for sure.

Morodiene - I haven't played Bach, at least since restarting. I'll have a look at the book you suggest.

Pianoloverus - thanks for the tip about pianists corner I haven't looked in there much as yet. Will be sure to do so. And I don't know why searching for performances on YouTube hadn't occurred to me! I'll be certain to have a look at the Clair de lune thread, I haven't come across that but hopefully it will help, thanks again.

Hreichgott - thanks for the baroque and 20th/21st C suggestions. I am keen to explore more styles so that's very useful.


Lots to keep me busy with. Cheers all! I'll let you know how I get on.

Sorry, should have also asked, "How long did it take you to get it there?"

I started most of the pieces I mentioned towards the end of November last year. I picked that to learn among my very first pieces because I remembered playing a more simplified version as a child and fancied trying the complete piece. I manage to play about an hour a day.

Very cool. Welcome back to the piano, by the way.. I think I forgot to mention that earlier.

I was going to suggest submitting the Entertainer to the Joplin recital, but I understand if you're still less-than-comfortable with it. Any chance you can send me a recording (preferably video)? I'd like to see how you play it. Then, I can suggest things from there..

Ha, after playing through the entertainer last night, with respect to my progress I had forgotten about the (third?) different section in it. From bar 53 anyway, that section is at walking pace at the mo.

Thanks for the offer of looking at a video, I will see what can be done but I don't think I have anything to do that with....will try and get back to you definitely as far as recitals go, I'm a way off yet even if I could record it. Cheers though!