Here is a difficulty ranking from 1st to 10th place for beginners and from 1st to 10th place for advanced players, featuring classical piano pieces!

Please note that this ranking is based on our personal judgment and biases, so it is not necessarily an absolute standard.

We hope you’ll use it only as a rough guide, and that it might spark discoveries like “Oh, so there’s a piece like this!” or serve as motivation such as “I’d love to try that someday!”

[For Beginners] Difficulty Ranking 1–10 (Easier at the Top)

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No. 1: Waltz / V. Krockin

This waltz is characterized by its graceful melody and lyrical atmosphere.

Overall, it has a gentle Romantic style, but it includes subtle rhythmic changes and ornamentation. So the performer needs not only to play smoothly but also to express fine nuances.

It’s sometimes performed at concerts or recitals as a short repertoire piece, offering a charming fusion of pathos and sweetness.

No. 2: Minuet in F major, K.2 / W.A. Mozart

This piece is said to have been composed by Mozart when he was very young. It’s short but features an elegant melodic line.

It has a structure that’s relatively approachable for beginners, and the left-hand accompaniment patterns are fairly simple. That’s a helpful point for those new to classical music.

Despite being a small piece, it’s filled with that distinctive, refined Mozartian beauty, making it an excellent choice as an introductory classical piece.

No. 3: Minuet in C major, K.6 / W.A. Mozart

Similar to K.2 in No. 1, this is another early Mozart piece. These two minuets (K.2 and K.6) are roughly the same level of difficulty.

Written in C major, it’s fairly easy to find the keys, giving beginners an impression that it’s easier to play.

The right-hand melody is quite charming, and the left-hand accompaniment doesn’t move too much, making it perfect for practicing reading notes and establishing basic fingering.

No. 4: Allegro in B-flat major, K.3 / W.A. Mozart

Also called K.3, this is another brief piece by the young Mozart.

Though not highly difficult, there are some light leaps in the notes, so you do need to be mindful of your fingering.

As indicated by the title “Allegro,” speeding up the tempo a bit makes it more striking to listeners, and it’s quite fun to play.

No. 5: Minuet in G major, BWV Anh. 114 / C. Petzold (formerly attributed to Bach)

Known as the “Bach Minuet,” this is a short piece packed with the essence of the Baroque style. It’s a classic for beginners tackling their first Bach piece, and it is also included in the VR piano game “Sigure.”

The interplay of rhythms between right and left hands is a key feature, so being mindful of balance and articulation in both hands will help you achieve a more musical performance.

The last section features two-voice writing in the left hand, and differentiating those two voices well can further enhance the performance.

No. 6: Sonatina Op.36-1, 1st Movement / M. Clementi

When it comes to “Sonatinas” from the early Classical era, Clementi’s work is a staple. This piece is also included in the VR piano game “Sigure.”

You may have heard it in a TV commercial featuring actor Tatsuya Fujiwara for “Kincho mosquito coils.” It’s that memorable tune.

It has a bright, clear melody that provides a foundational experience of the sonata form.

With relatively few leaps or accidentals, it’s not too difficult if you master the fingering. Yet it does include scale and arpeggio elements, making it good for developing technique.

So far, we’ve introduced actual piano works from No. 1–6. For Nos. 7–10, we’ll be looking at arrangement-based pieces.

The difficulty can vary depending on the arrangement, but here’s a reference ranking anyway.

No. 7: Ode to Joy / L.v. Beethoven

This famous melody comes from the final movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (“Choral”). Here we’re talking about simplified piano arrangements. This piece is also included in the VR piano game “Sigure.”

Many sheet music versions are adapted for beginners, and reading them is relatively easy. Because it’s such a well-known tune, you’ll naturally feel excited as you play.

If you pick an arrangement that stays within a narrow range, both hands will remain fairly simple to manage.

No. 8: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” (Main Theme) / W.A. Mozart

Based on the tune “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” Mozart arranged it into this famous set of variations.

The variations can be difficult, but just the main theme is manageable for beginners. Although it’s a common nursery rhyme, the simple, transparent harmonies of Mozart shine through.

The difficulty depends on the arrangement, so you can try out different versions as you progress.

No. 9: Canon / J. Pachelbel

A classic wedding piece known by everyone. There are many piano arrangements with varying difficulty levels.

A simpler score for beginners might rely primarily on chords, making it fairly approachable. On the other hand, more elaborate versions can include rich accompaniments and fast passages, ramping up the difficulty significantly.

It’s best to pick an arrangement suited to your level of play.

No. 10: Gavotte / F.J. Gossec

One of the many “Gavotte” pieces from the Baroque–Classical period, featuring a light and charming rhythm.

This too is included in the VR piano game “Sigure.”

Although there are a few spots with somewhat intricate fingering, the melody itself isn’t particularly complicated. It’s commonly found in educational materials and piano method books, making it an accessible piece in one’s learning trajectory.

[For Advanced Players] Difficulty Ranking 1–10 (Harder at the Top)

No. 1: Transcendental Étude No. 5 “Feux Follets” / F. Liszt

Among Liszt’s “Transcendental Études,” this piece is one of the most notoriously difficult.

It brims with technical elements befitting its title “Feux Follets (Will-o’-the-Wisp),” such as lightning-fast passages, complex chords, and repeated octave strikes.

Even concert pianists find it challenging to master, requiring not just independence of the fingers but also dramatic dynamic control.

No. 2: La Campanella / F. Liszt

Perhaps Liszt’s most famous showpiece, it’s a piano arrangement based on a melody from Paganini’s violin concerto. Everything from the frequent leaps to the lightning-fast repetition is on a high technical level.

Its brilliant, beautiful melody captivates audiences, but the performer must maintain intense focus and stamina throughout.

No. 3: Étude Op.10 No.4 / F. Chopin

Chopin’s “Études” are famous for their exceptionally high artistic value, even though they’re called “studies.”

Op.10 No.4, in particular, involves very fast right-hand passages and tricky rhythmic handling in the left hand, requiring both precise touch and solid rhythm.

It’s crucial to do thorough scale practice with rapid fingering for this piece.

No. 4: Étude Op.10 No.12 “Revolutionary” / F. Chopin

Famously known as the “Revolutionary Étude,” this piece features furious left-hand sixteenth notes alongside a grandiose right-hand melody, creating a passionate and powerful sound.

It contains many demanding technical elements, yet Chopin’s melodic beauty stands out.

The emotional intensity can be easier to convey but harder to control—ultimately requiring a lot of physical stamina.

No. 5: Prelude Op.23 No.5 / S. Rachmaninoff

One of the more well-known preludes by Rachmaninoff.

Massive, powerful chords dominate, so a large hand span and substantial power are needed.

It possesses that sorrowful yet grand spirit typical of Russian Romanticism. Many pianists aim to play it at least once, though balancing tempo and dynamics is a key challenge.

No. 6: Prelude Op.3 No.2 “The Bells of Moscow” / S. Rachmaninoff

An iconic piece that evokes the grandeur and melancholy of Russia. As the title suggests, it features repeated chord patterns reminiscent of tolling bells, requiring endurance and precision.

Pedal technique is particularly challenging; the sound can get muddy easily, so maintaining clarity while still achieving depth is tough. It’s a deeply expressive piece that grows more complex the more you explore its emotional nuances.

No. 7: Pavane pour une infante défunte / M. Ravel

Originally known as an orchestral piece, it’s also famous in its piano version.

Nuanced coloring and pedaling are crucial in Ravel’s delicate style. Even though the piece doesn’t have an overwhelming number of notes, crafting its subtle expression is quite challenging.

The major theme is how to convey its beauty and poignancy.

No. 8: Polonaise No.6 in A-flat major, Op.53 “Heroic” / F. Chopin

Known for its grand, heroic melody and majestic scale.

The vigorous rhythm demands the performer to skillfully handle both hands, requiring significant physical energy and technique.

Its middle section includes sweeping octaves and chord leaps that are breathtaking, making this one of Chopin’s most spectacular pieces.

No. 9: Fantaisie-Impromptu / F. Chopin

Although short, it’s extremely popular. Fast passages in the right hand and rhythmic complexity in the left can be quite confusing for a first-time read-through.

The middle section’s melody is marked “cantabile,” requiring a singing touch, especially crucial for playing the running notes expressively.

Chopin’s characteristic delicacy is demanded throughout, making it overall quite challenging.

No. 10: Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, “Pathétique,” 3rd Movement / L.v. Beethoven

Among Beethoven’s piano sonatas, the “Pathétique” is especially popular.

The third movement constantly features a fast tempo and intricate passages, along with big dynamic contrasts.

Typical of the Classical period, mastering articulation and phrasing while pouring in strong emotion is no easy task. It’s a highly impactful piece for recitals.

Summary

That wraps up our classical piano difficulty rankings, with 1–10 for beginners and 1–10 for advanced players.

As mentioned at the start, this ranking is based on our personal view and biases, and different people may feel differently about how easy or hard a piece is. So, please treat this only as a rough guideline.

Feel free to use it as a reference to find pieces that match your level and preferences, and enjoy exploring the world of classical piano!