Grade 5 is agreed to be the intermediate stage for pianists following a structured piano education through an ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) or Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) path.
For pianists working outside these pathways, the freedom to choose your repertoire can be both exciting and challenging. Fortunately, you can use the pieces for Grade 5 upwards from these structures as a guide, empowering you to make informed decisions about what you want to learn and play.
Here are some intermediate piano pieces you should add to your repertoire, organized by composer or artist, so you can easily find your favorites. With each song, you can listen to a preview of it or add it to your Spotify to listen to later!
Johann Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and arguably one of the most famous classical composers ever.
If you've been playing piano for a while now, you'll have likely come across Bach and some of his pieces.
A couple of Baroque pieces by Bach are suitable for intermediate piano players looking to broaden their repertoire.
- Invention No. 6 in E, BWV 777
- Little Prelude in C Major, BWV 939
These pieces are useful because of their polyphonic texture. They use two independent voices that allow the pianist to develop hand independence and coordination.
The intricacy of some of the passes also means that you must articulate each note clearly.
Baroque compositions include trills modent, appoggiatura, and other stylistic elements that pianists must learn to play appropriately.
Amy Beach
Amy Beach was an American composer from Henniker, New Hampshire. She was among the first American women to compose and publish a symphony.
- Arctic Night (No. 1 from Eskimos, Op. 64)
This beautiful piece was featured on the 2021 and 2022 ABRSM Grade 5 Piano exam. It's of moderate difficulty, with a moderate tempo, making it suitable for intermediate pianists.
It requires some hand independence but doesn't feature many stretches or large hand movements.
The structure is relatively straightforward, making it easier for intermediate pianists to learn than some of the most complex pieces at higher levels.
Ludwig van Beethoven
You can only talk about classical music by mentioning Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the most famous composers ever.
Anyone studying the piano or music will likely have already covered some of his more manageable pieces (like Moonlight Sonata), and any pianist at any level should have some Beethoven in their repertoire.
- Sonatina in F Major, Anh. 5, no. 2: I
Beethoven's Sonatina in F Major has been featured as an exam piece. It allows pianists to work on the balance between their hands while also exhibiting expressive playing and dynamic contrast.
The simplified sonatina form in this piece is also useful for a pianist's understanding of how classical music is structured and forces pianists to work on technical skills related to the articulation markings in the piece.
Johann Friedrich Franz Burgmüller
Johann Friedrich Franz Burgmüller, often simply known as Friedrich Burgmüller, was a German pianist and composer.
Piano students will likely encounter his works regularly since he's most famous for his Études faciles et progressives, sometimes called his Easy and Progressive Studies.
These pieces, in particular, are great for beginner pianists and early intermediate students. As the name suggests, they are exercises that start off as simple lessons in piano playing techniques. The level increases with each piece, making it a fun activity for piano students.
- La chevaleresque (No. 25 from 25 études faciles et progressives, Op.100)
The final piece from Burgmüller's studies is an excellent choice for early intermediate pianists. You can always use the other pieces in your lessons or piano practice if you find it too difficult.
George Frideric Handel
There are several piano pieces by the German-British composer George Frideric Handel for intermediate pianists.
Since most of Handel's keyboard music was written before 1720, the pieces were likely written for something other than the piano. However, while these pieces were likely written for other keyboard instruments like the harpsichord or organ, they're still commonly used as piano exam pieces and can be played on the piano.
- Toccata in G minor, HWV 586
This example, included as an exam piece, can be heard as played on a harpsichord. You can learn it on the piano, of course, or on a keyboard.
Franz Joseph Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn was an Austrian composer from the Classical period. He was famous for chamber music and the piano trio, where a piano is accompanied by two other instruments, usually a violin and a cello.
Here are a couple of Haydn pieces suitable for early intermediate piano players or those in Grades 5 and 6.
- Minuet in C Major, Hob. IX:8, no. 1
- Finale: Allegro molto (4th movt from Sonata in G, Hob. XVI:6)
Nkeiru Okoye
Nkeiru Okoye is a modern American composer and musician from New York City. Her pieces regularly explore the themes of both African and African-American culture, history, and identity.
As a Nigerian-American composer (her father is Nigerian and her mother African-American), her work has promoted diversity and inclusion in classical music, an area that, as you can see from the composers from the classical era, has been chiefly white European men.
- Dusk
- Dancing Barefoot in the Rain (from African Sketches)
These pieces are useful for early intermediate pianists looking for music to test their technical ability, and they're also great for varying your repertoire with pieces that aren't simply considered the "classics."
Robert Schumann
The German composer Robert Schumann was famous for his work in the early Romantic era. He composed for piano, voice and piano, chamber groups, orchestra, choir, and opera.
- Einsame Blumen (No. 3 from Waldzcenen, Op. 82)
Pyotr IlyichTchaikovsky
The Russian composer Tchaikovsky is regularly featured in exam pieces for beginners, intermediate, and advanced pianists.
For early intermediate pianists and those studying Grades 5 or 6, the following pieces are worth listening to and learning.
- Douce rêverie (No. 21 from Album pour enfants, Op. 39)
- Polka, op. 39, no. 10.
The Tchaikovsky "Album for the Young" or "Children's Album" (Op. 39) is regularly featured in piano lessons. It's worth listening to the whole thing if you have the time.
Other Intermediate Pieces for Your Piano Repertoire
You can also find all the ABRSM Grade 5 Piano pieces for the 2025 and 2026 exams here. Be sure to save them to your Spotify to listen to if you'll be taking the exams. Otherwise, just have fun listening to them at your leisure.
The Grade 6 pieces are available here.
Improve Your Piano Playing with Superprof
Embarking on a journey of personalized learning with a private piano tutor is one of the most rewarding steps you can take to enhance your understanding of music and the piano. This tailored approach can provide you with the guidance and support you need to reach your full potential.
While the exam repertoire tries to be varied, it primarily focuses on classical composers like Chopin, Beethoven, Bach, Liszt, Mozart, Schumann, etc.
They include some contemporary pieces and classic piano pieces every pianist should know, but a private piano tutor can help you focus on learning whatever piece from whichever composer you like.
After all, they'll plan the lessons around you and your piano goals!
If you're not interested in being a classical pianist and would instead learn a piece that resonates with you from a contemporary composer or even more modern music, that's fine.
Since every student is different, there isn't just one way to learn the piano. Instead, the best way to learn is with music you love, lessons tailored to you, and enjoying the fun and beauty of playing the piano.
To find your piano tutor today, search for "piano" on the Superprof website. From there, you can browse local and online piano tutor profiles and see what lessons they offer. If you are in Atlanta, you might consider piano lessons atlanta to receive local expertise.
Most of the tutors on the Superprof site offer their first lessons for free, therefore, you can always try a few different piano tutors before choosing the best one for you, your level, your repertoire, and your ambitions. If you reside in Las Vegas, exploring piano lessons las vegas might provide further inspiration.
Ready to begin taking piano classes? Start looking for a tutor on Superprof today!
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