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Easiest ABRSM piano Grade 8 2025-2026 pieces!!!!

Which pieces have you guys chosen?? Which ones are easiest to play :frown: ??
I’m thinking of A1, B2, and C2 - I’m not sure what to do for own choice piece.
I haven’t played in ages and music isn’t a focus of mine so I want to choose something easy…

Reply 1

Original post
by Jes*
Which pieces have you guys chosen?? Which ones are easiest to play :frown: ??
I’m thinking of A1, B2, and C2 - I’m not sure what to do for own choice piece.
I haven’t played for a year and a half so I want to choose something easy…

Are you doing online or in person? As I’m sitting grade 6 and not sure what to do!?

Reply 2

Original post
by Jes*
Which pieces have you guys chosen?? Which ones are easiest to play :frown: ??
I’m thinking of A1, B2, and C2 - I’m not sure what to do for own choice piece.
I haven’t played for a year and a half so I want to choose something easy…

if you're willing to pick a 4th piece from the previous year's syllabus do C1 - its super easy, it shouldnt even be a grade 8 piece icl but i am very glad to have chosen it :smile:

Reply 3

Original post
by jes*
which pieces have you guys chosen?? Which ones are easiest to play :frown: ??
I’m thinking of a1, b2, and c2 - i’m not sure what to do for own choice piece.
I haven’t played for a year and a half so i want to choose something easy…

a1, a3, b2, c3

Reply 4

Original post
by klafow
if you're willing to pick a 4th piece from the previous year's syllabus do C1 - its super easy, it shouldnt even be a grade 8 piece icl but i am very glad to have chosen it :smile:

Thank you! I will have a look at it!! 2023-2024 C1 Grade 8 is that right?

Reply 5

Original post
by Jes*
Thank you! I will have a look at it!! 2023-2024 C1 Grade 8 is that right?

yep! its called Rumores de La Caleta

Reply 6

Original post
by checkered-almond
Are you doing online or in person? As I’m sitting grade 6 and not sure what to do!?

Online! I get quite nervous in the in-person exams..

Reply 7

wOah that’s allowed? I thought you had to pick from our year only 🥲
Original post
by klafow
if you're willing to pick a 4th piece from the previous year's syllabus do C1 - its super easy, it shouldnt even be a grade 8 piece icl but i am very glad to have chosen it :smile:

Reply 8

Original post
by Jes*
Which pieces have you guys chosen?? Which ones are easiest to play :frown: ??
I’m thinking of A1, B2, and C2 - I’m not sure what to do for own choice piece.
I haven’t played in ages and music isn’t a focus of mine so I want to choose something easy…

A1 all a Turks
B1 la fille
C2 maple leaf rag
B3 consolation in E

Reply 9

Original post
by Jes*
wOah that’s allowed? I thought you had to pick from our year only 🥲

yeah the fourth piece can be absolutely anything as long as it’s grade 8 standard - it doesn’t even need to be in the syllabus of any year! i only pick from previous syllabi though just to be safe

Reply 10

Original post
by Jes*
Which pieces have you guys chosen?? Which ones are easiest to play :frown: ??
I’m thinking of A1, B2, and C2 - I’m not sure what to do for own choice piece.
I haven’t played in ages and music isn’t a focus of mine so I want to choose something easy…

A1 (alla turca), B6 (pathetique 2nd mvt), C6 (pierrette - air de ballet) and for my own choice im thinking chopin etude op 10 no 9 (my fav etude), but its only 2 mins and the minimum time is 3 minutes. idk if they'll mark me down or smth. i saw sm1 play flight of the bumblebee which is less than 3 mins and they still got distinction so idk.
A1 is easy to PLAY, which is why me and many were confused as to why it is in grade 8, however the most important thing for this piece is the articulation, such as where you have to play it staccato, or what character and emotion you give to it and a suitable tempo. so the emotion and articulation is important and is what makes it difficult. but if you can learn notes quickly and well, and if interpretation isn't a problem, this should be a no brainer and you should pick it. i am still recording my grade 7 piano exam but i learnt this piece myself in a few days (the notes - obviously not to mastery!) so that i could be ahead and have more time to learn my own choice piece.
next up you're thinking of b2, which is il porco rosso. i am not too familiar with this piece, but i believe that it is a nice piece and not too difficult. of course b3 is liszt and i was thinking of playing it because i love liszt's music, but just knowing what liszt has composed and his skill level it immediately scared me. also the rhythm isn't that constant for liszt so i think what you've picked is a good choice. maybe consider b1 as well? it is 1 minute shorter and my piano teacher reccomended it to me and said its fairly easy, but i just didn't like how it sounded. if you're also thinking the same, then b2 is a great choice.
c2 was my initial pick, but my piano teacher warned me against it. she said that her other grade 8 student had tried to play this (and that student is a distinction student who loves jazz) and was struggling so much they had to change the piece. its really the syncopation and jazzy rhythms that are confusing and having the character and flair to play it. if you're experienced in jazz and have played quite a few jazz pieces, i'm sure this won't be as much of a problem as we imagine it is. i wont pick this because although i have a good sense of rhythm i dont have enough expertise in jazz as i am a classical pianist, so i am picking pierrette because it is such an. adorable and playful piece. i would personally stay away from c2. maybe consider c8 reverie by debussy? it is difficult but again i believe because of the emotion. its also a beautiful piece.
now again back to own choice -
if i can't play etude op 10 no 9 due to it being less than. 3mins, im thinking grande valse brilliante op 18, mazurka op 33 no 4, fantaisie impromptu (all by chopin) or moments musicaux no 4 in e by rach. also had consolation no 3 by liszt in mind.
honestly fantaisie impromptu isnt that difficult despite common belief its js the polyrhythm which is less insane to play once you've gotten the hang of it. so maybe consider this?
what composers and what era of music do you like? maybe i could recommend some for you 😀
hope this is helpful (i love playing the piano so always happy to help)
(edited 9 months ago)

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