Beginner Piano Music for Adults

Filled with calm and peace, Coastal Reverie allows students an opportunity to tell the story of a relaxing retreat. There are dynamic changes and shifting registers that add a sense of accomplishment and maturity, yet the patterns are simple. There is one white key in the right hand, but it feels very natural with the shape of the hand.

Gathering Storm is already turning out to be a student favorite, thanks to the low Eb played throughout the beginning measures. There are opportunities for dynamic expression that are difficult to find with early elementary pieces. There is a shift to triple meter that allows students to “feel” the clouds finally burst with rain. This meter change gives adult students a confidence boost, and allows them to explore rhythmic elements even from the earliest lessons. This is an unusual and popular piece of beginner piano music for adults as it contains both big and sensitive moments

The mystifying sounds and lilting harmonies of this black key solo make it easy to play expressively. The addition of damper pedal and shifting registers keeps students thinking during the piece, but at an appropriate level so as not to overwhelm them. This nuanced piece is one that will draw students in!

The damper pedal isn’t the only thing that allows students to sound more mature in this piece. The lyrical aspects of this piece feel just like a mountain shrouded in mystery and adventure. Repeating patterns make it a wonderful opportunity for technical practice, while allowing adult students to play something that they will enjoy sharing with others.

Marigold is a warm and inviting piece, much like the color it’s named for. This piece features unexpected harmonies that make the piece sound far more mature and advanced than it really is. The damper pedal can be held throughout or lifted on each line (the choice is up to students/teachers). With multiple registers being played and tempo markings, this piece will give students a sense of accomplishment early on in their playing. The piece is in 6/4, and is easy to play thanks to all quarter notes (save for 3 dotted half notes).

This soothing, graceful piece falls easily and fluidly under the hands. Like the color, Dusty Blue has harmonies that are calming. The harmonies develop with one hand easily moving by half step, but the hand crossings help students to look and feel like more mature players. Descending chromatic notes in the left hand gives students an opportunity to explore the topography of the keyboard and learn about the concept of chromaticism. This piece truly sounds sophisticated, not just beautiful.

Like the other pieces in this series, Emerald gives beginning students interesting harmonies that are deceptively simple to play. The emerald color sounds like it’s being added in layer by layer, and gives students a chance to be intentional with thinking and playing.

[My student is] so thrilled to learn something so quickly that looks complicated on the page and sounds sophisticated. Her mom even sent me a note saying how beautiful it was and what an amazing teacher I was that she could learn a whole song in one lesson!