Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Stairway to Heaven equivalent for piano

Hi everyone,

I am 42 and just began piano lessons a couple of months ago. I am just about to wrap up the Alfred Basic Adult Book Level One and am searching for ideas for pieces.

When I learned to play guitar many moons ago, the signature piece, like it or not, was Stairway to Heaven. It sounded cool and was approachable by a beginner and any guitar player worth his salt was able to play it.

What would you argue is the equivalent piece on the piano? What piece is fairly easy to play but sounds difficult and is instantly recognizable (for better or worse) as a signature piano tune?

Fur Elise.

Fur Elise, every person that touches a piano in any store plays this nauseating piece.

Fur Elise, every person that touches a piano in any store plays this nauseating piece.

Maybe The Entertainer?

You reminded of Wayne's World. They're in the music store and Wayne starts playing STH when the clerk points to the sign on the wall--"No Stairway."

Fur Elise is played so much I find it sickening.

I do like the Entertainer though

Misty

I have to agree with Bob Muir and markb with the Entertainer and Fur Elise. I also have to admit that I have both pieces memorized and have pulled them both out when I have wanted to show off my skill as a pianist. *sniggers at self*

They had a beauty queen on one of the morning shows a week or 2 ago -- maybe Miss America(?).

How did she prove that she was a 'classically trained pianist'?

Fur Elise.

i love minute in g
it's pretty easy to.

I would agree with most people - Fur Elise, definitely and Minuet in G pops up everywhere, too.
Also, its not really difficult, but people always plonk out Chopsticks as well.

Bach prelude in C major (WTC1) will be easy for you too, since it requires each hand pretty much using the same motion throughout. you probaly can even sight read through it.

Hehe... That was the first song I learned, and much to this dismay of you and piano salesmen everywhere, it was the first song I played in stores. I thought I was cool, I didn't know people laughed at me

Another idea in a different track..

John Lennon's Imagine..

It's pretty easy, and as you indicate, instantly recognizable. all your friends will be amazed!!
Really!!

Solfeggietto by CPE Bach.

Ok, thank you all for your responses. Fur Elise looks like a winner, with Entertainer, Minuet in G, Imagine and others in the runner up positions.

Time to learn Fur Elise, so I can repulse Piano Salesmen everywhere ;-)

Thanks, Ray

Try "Linus and Lucy" from Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown music. It's instantly recognizable, not simple but yet achievable.

I found Linus and Lucy beyond my meager skills. The fast middle section of Fur Elise is also tough. How about the first movement of Moonllight Sonata? I'm currently working on this and it is also instantly recognizable.

Another good one is "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

Another bad one is "Heart and Soul."

Another good one "Body and Soul"

btw, are any of the beginners commenting on the original version of Fur Elise? I recently started on it. The middle section I find quite challenging, much more so than some of the other doable Bach pieces, Minuet in G and Prelude in C major.