8 Fast Piano Pieces – Everything That You Must Know

fast piano pieces

Do you like to play piano and create lovely music? Then, you may also have an interest in fast piano pieces. Playing a piece of piano music fast can appear to be highly intimidating. Still, you can do it successfully by gaining efficiency as a piano player.

How Fast Can You Play Your Piano?

Based on the nature of pianists, the average speed can range from 13 to 14 notes per second. However, while identifying the speed, you need to know the mathematical and physical limits.

Below we have a list of fast piano pieces. Most of them are classical music pieces. You can refine your skills by following them.

Fast Piano Pieces Created by Famous Pianists

1. Prelude No.1 in C – Johann Sebastian Bach

Technical mastery has made Johann Sebastian Bach highly popular among budding pianists. Bach also has the potential to inspire them. The Well-Tempered Clavier is a collection where you can find Bach’s first work: Prelude No. 1. Those who would like to learn the technique of playing piano will be interested in this piece. The flow involves rising chords and hypnotically attractive sounds. However, some beginners have claimed that it is challenging to play.

2. Waldstein Sonata – Beethoven

Beethoven created the fast music piece known as the Waldstein Sonata. The name of the sonata originates from the creator’s dedication to his intimate friend, Ernst Gabriel von Waldstein. This piece is more charming than the Moonlight Sonata. Although we have included it as a fast piano piece, a few sections can be used for slower practice.

The first part of the rondo needs a high melody and pedal trill. Your left hand needs to run rapidly. The coda includes glissando octaves composed in special dialogue.

3. Liszt Paganini Etude No. 3 – Franz Liszt

Liszt created a beautiful piano piece known as Liszt Paganini Etude No. 3. It is also known as the La Campanella, and you need skills to play it. The combination of fast tempo and advancedness creates the best result. The origin of the melody is Violin Concerto No. 2 created by Niccolo.

This piece can be played at a brisk tempo, and it includes right-hand jumps between larger intervals. You can try this piano piece to increase your skills and accuracy at playing the instrument. You will have very little time to move your hand. 16th intervals will appear twice.

4. Jeux D’eau – Maurice Ravel

This is an advanced piece created by Maurice Ravel. Those who like to try challenging piano pieces will love this one. However, Ravel also introduced some slower pieces that create a gloomy atmosphere. 

Ravel has tried to capture different types of music. He first performed this piano piece in 1901. There are 2 themes, one of them being pentatonic.

5. C Sharp Minor – Chopin Etude

Chopin wrote one of the fastest music pieces, and it’s called C Sharp Minor. The etude is short, as it is to be played fast. It is also an intense and passionate piece of music. There are no joyful sections in the piece.

6. “Summer” from The Four Seasons – Vivaldi 

One of the most popular works of Antonio Vivaldi is The Four Seasons. Summer’s Presto movement is the fastest part of the piece. This part is designed to create images of hail, thunder, and storms.

The Four Seasons is a series of violin concertos created by Antonio Vivaldi, a prominent Italian composer. Each of the concertos is related to the season of the year. Moreover, the concertos were created when Antonio was a chapel master. He represented singing birds, flowing creeks, barking dogs, and a shepherd.

7. Flight of the Bumblebee – Rimsky Korsakov

Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov wrote the Flight of the Bumblebee, which is a famous orchestral interlude. The well-known composition represents the fluctuating and chaotic flying pattern of the bumblebee. The piece has become highly familiar due to its use in popular culture. When the piece closes, the magic swan converts the Prince into an insect. This orchestral concerto piece has a beautiful and memorable theme.

8. Dance of the Elves – Popper 

Those who like to play cello and piano can try this fast piano piece. Popper’s works like Elfentanz highlighted the unique sound and unparalleled range of the cello. You may also play the virtuoso piece created by Popper.

How to Learn a Fast Piano Piece

During your practice session, try your hand at some fast piano pieces. Although it is easy to learn piano, you have a chance of making mistakes when playing. A professional pianist can maintain the quality while accelerating the speed. So, how do you learn a fast piano piece? Here are a few tips:

Be patient  

Before attaining incredible speed, you have to deal with slow pieces. Identify how slow you should play the music to maintain accuracy. You can set a slow pace for the metronome and play it at that pace.

Notice your fingers  

In some parts of the song, your fingers may trip over each other. Some efficient pianists also face fingering issues. You must make the best use of your left hand.

Do not play piano in front of a large audience  

Until you have achieved some professionalism in the field, play your piano privately. Choose your favorite pieces and play them repeatedly to attain perfection.

Set the speed that you would like to achieve  

You can slowly work to your goal speed. It enables you to play the music confidently and accurately.

Speeding Up a Piece on Your Piano

The most significant thing about learning this technique is comprehension. Do you know the piece properly? Do you anticipate notes without interpreting the sheet music? Can you watch the sheet music with concentration? Are you efficient in using the keyboard? Here’s how to speed up on the piano:

Learn Everything About the Piece

Before attempting to speed up your playing, you need to ensure that you understand it thoroughly. You can start internalizing note patterns and shifts. You must have a solid knowledge of notes.

Know Your Keyboard

Learners often like to skip over learning the ends and outs of their keyboards. It is better to deal with lower notes for the first few months. It will enable you to internalize the keys. You can then confidently use the keyboard. With your consistent effort, you will be able to use the keyboard without looking at it.

Use a Particular Finger Pattern Several Times

Logical choices of fingering are highly desirable for beginners. For instance, you can play CDE with a pattern 1-2-3. On a subsequent day, it will be 2-3-4.

With the use of a definite finger pattern every time, you can develop muscle memory. Your fingers will gain the ability to play the right keys. It is always important to do this while increasing the speed of playing the music.

Work in Short Chunks

By dividing the piece into sections, you’ll achieve a good outcome. You need to wait for a few weeks before playing the piano at high speed. You can also train your muscles to play the instrument at a high speed.

Memorize the Piano Piece 

The intricacy and length of the piece can make a difference. After learning the average piano music piece thoroughly, you can memorize it. But, everything varies according to the enthusiasm, skills, and other traits of the piano player. Memorization is highly important for challenging pieces to ensure that you can play them fast.

You need to play hands separately, count aloud, analyze the song harmonies, and listen to the recordings. These tips will make it easier to memorize the piece.

Although these strategies can work for you, it is essential to work with dedication.

Conclusion

This has been our list of the most popular fast piano pieces. Some people think classical music always has to be slow. While there are several slower-tempo pieces, you can definitely find lively selections.

About the Author Classical Music Pro