As piano teachers, we often search for new educational repertoire to keep our lessons fresh and our students engaged, but that doesn’t mean we have to give up the tried and true music that becomes a recurring hit with our students.
In this article, we’ve featured some of the most iconic, accessible, and motivational piano music we’ve discovered over the years—some of these selections have been around a while but have become timeless favorites. We bet you are already familiar with a few.
Enjoy exploring the selections below organized by level along with video demonstrations. You might find a new gem to introduce to your students!
Here is the list of our top favorites. Scroll down to watch the videos!
Elementary
- Distant Chimes by Jon George
- March of the Gnomes by Martha Mier
- Softly Whisper by Kevin Costley
- Rainbow Fish by Catherine Rollin
- Mini Toccata by Eric Baumgartner
Late Elementary
- Dream Echoes by E.L. Lancaster
- Fire Dance by David Karp
- Rhythm Machine by Lynn Freeman Olson
- Leap Frog by Carol Klose
- Angel Fish by Anne Crosby
Early Intermediate
- Arabian Nights by Jeanne Costello
- Tarantella Brillante by Robert Vandall
- The Great Smoky Mountains by David Carr Glover
- Toccata Festivo by Jennifer Linn
- Candlelight Prelude by Carol Klose
Intermediate
- Festive Piece by William Gillock
- Fountain in the Rain by William Gillock
- Toccata in F Minor by Robert Vandall
- Toccata Brillante by Robert Vandall
- Midnight Escapade by Melody Bober
Late Intermediate
- Pink by Robert Starer
- Goldfish by William Gillock
- Bravissimo by Dennis Alexander
- Spanish Rhapsody by Melody Bober
- Sonatina No. 3 by Denes Agay
Bonus Early Advanced Piece!
- Topaz Nocturne by Dennis Alexander
Elementary
Distant Chimes by Jon George
Buy the sheet music here.
March of the Gnomes by Martha Mier
Buy the sheet music here.
Softly Whisper by Kevin Costley
Buy the sheet music here.
Rainbow Fish by Catherine Rollin
From Bean Bag Zoo Collector Book 1 Buy the sheet music here.
Mini Toccata by Eric Baumgartner
Buy the sheet music here.
Late Elementary
Dream Echoes by E.L. Lancaster
From Kowalchyk and Lancaster’s Favorite Solos, Book 2 – Buy the sheet music here.
Fire Dance by David Karp
Buy the sheet music here.
Rhythm Machine by Lynn Freeman Olson
From Lynn Freeman Olson Signature Collection Book 1 – Buy the sheet music here.
Leap Frog by Carol Klose
From Hal Leonard Solos Book 3 – Buy the sheet music here.
Angel Fish by Anne Crosby
From Celebration Series 6th Edition Book 1 – Buy the sheet music here.
Early Intermediate
Arabian Nights by Jeanne Costello
Buy the sheet music here.
Tarantella Brillante by Robert Vandall
Buy the sheet music here.
The Great Smoky Mountains by David Carr Glover
Buy the sheet music here.
Toccata Festivo by Jennifer Linn
From Piano Recital Showcase Book 1 – Buy the sheet music here.
Candlelight Prelude by Carol Klose
From Piano Recital Showcase Book 1 – Buy the sheet music here.
Intermediate
Festive Piece by William Gillock
From Classic Piano Repertoire William Gillock — Buy the sheet music here.
Fountain in the Rain by William Gillock
From Accent on Gillock Complete – All Eight Volumes in One — Buy the sheet music here.
Toccata in F minor by Robert Vandall
From Celebrated Virtuosic Solos, Book 5 – Buy the sheet music here.
Toccata Brillante by Dennis Alexander
Buy the sheet music here.
Midnight Escapade by Melody Bober
Buy the sheet music here.
Late Intermediate
Pink from Sketches in Color by Robert Starer
Buy the sheet music here.
Gold Fish by William Gillock
From Accent on Gillock Complete – All Eight Volumes in One — Buy the sheet music here.
Bravissimo from 24 Character Preludes by Dennis Alexander
Buy the sheet music here.
Spanish Rhapsody by Melody Bober
Buy the sheet music here.
Sonatina No. 3 by Denes Agay
Buy the sheet music here.
Bonus Early Advanced Piece!
Topaz Nocturne from With These Hands by Dennis Alexander
Buy the sheet music here.
A passionate music educator, presenter, and author, Davis spends his days empowering music students through creative teaching and music education resources. He is a frequent presenter at conferences and workshops across the nation and is co-author of the Easy Piano Lead Sheets and Chord Charts series. He currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.
