{"id":2689,"date":"2021-02-06T23:33:55","date_gmt":"2021-02-07T07:33:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=2689"},"modified":"2024-02-09T09:09:52","modified_gmt":"2024-02-09T17:09:52","slug":"hardest-piano-song","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/hardest-piano-song\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Hardest Piano Pieces"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>What is the hardest piano piece ever? As musicians, we often look up to the best and hope to emulate them in some way. The piano is a versatile instrument with a long history, and over the years, some very creative musicians have written impressive music for it. In no particular order, here are ten of the hardest piano pieces ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><p><strong>Table of Contents:<\/strong><\/p><nav><ol><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#breaking-down-the-hardest-piano-pieces\">Piano Concerto No. 3 &#8211; Sergei Rachmaninoff<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#1-piano-concerto-no-3-by-sergei-rachmaninoff\">\u201cLa Campanella\u201d &#8211; Franz Liszt<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#2-la-campanella-by-franz-liszt\">\u201cTake the A Train\u201d as performed by Oscar Peterson<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#3-take-the-a-train-as-performed-by-oscar-peterson\">\u201cGaspard de la Nuit\u201d &#8211; Maurice Ravel<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#4-gaspard-de-la-nuit-by-maurice-ravel\">Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 &#8211; Franz Liszt<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#5-hungarian-rhapsody-no-2-by-franz-liszt\">\u201cMists\u201d &#8211; Iannis Xenakis<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#6-mists-by-iannis-xenakis\">&#8220;Hammerklavier\u201d (Sonata No. 29 Op. 106) &#8211; Ludwig van Beethoven<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#7-hammerklavier-sonata-no-29-op-106-by-ludwig-van-beethoven\">\u201cGiant Steps\u201d &#8211; John Coltrane<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#8-giant-steps-by-john-coltrane\">Sonata No. 5 &#8211; Alexander Scriabin<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#9-sonata-no-5-by-alexander-scriabin\">\u201cL\u2019escalier du diable\u201d (\u201cThe Devil\u2019s Staircase\u201d) &#8211; Gy\u00f6rgy Ligeti<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#playing-the-most-difficult-piano-songs\">Playing the Most Difficult Piano Songs<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h2 style=\"font-size:22px\"><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Your Go-To Place for All Things Piano<\/b><\/h2><p>Get exclusive interviews, fascinating articles, and inspiring lessons delivered straight to your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time.<\/p><iframe class=\"email-form-include\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/center><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"breaking-down-the-hardest-piano-pieces\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Breaking Down the Hardest Piano Pieces<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/17144705\/image-6-1024x683.png\" alt=\"Hardest piano piece. Grand piano with sheet music on top.\" class=\"wp-image-13158\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/17144705\/image-6-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/17144705\/image-6-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/17144705\/image-6-768x513.png 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/17144705\/image-6-1536x1025.png 1536w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/17144705\/image-6-2048x1367.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">What makes a piano piece &#8220;hard&#8221;? The answer may seem obvious at first: fast runs, dense chords, wide leaps, challenging <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-read-piano-notes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sight reading<\/a>. But even novice piano players understand that playing fast isn&#8217;t all there is to play well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Classical piano is infamous for its technical difficulty, but what&#8217;s arguably more difficult is applying both the composer&#8217;s emotional intentions and your own personal interpretation to a technically challenging piece. All with needle-like accuracy. Difficult classical pieces also tend to be very long and require an incredible memory to perform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Meanwhile, the hardest piano pieces in jazz music call for skillful and creative improvisation over complex <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-chord-progressions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">chord progressions<\/a>. This requires a masterful understanding of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/chord-theory\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">chord theory<\/a>, harmony, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-scales\/\">scales<\/a>. As improvisers, jazz pianists must also have a highly trained ear so they can play what they imagine in their head&#8230;instantly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">In this article, we won&#8217;t just discuss the hardest piano pieces, but break down exactly why they&#8217;re so difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-piano-concerto-no-3-by-sergei-rachmaninoff\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>1. Piano Concerto No. 3 by Sergei Rachmaninoff<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"REMASTERED: Yunchan Lim \uc784\uc724\ucc2c \u2013 RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, op. 30\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GvKQKnIVy1I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Why it&#8217;s hard:<\/strong> If you ask any classical musician what the hardest song on piano is, chances are they\u2019ll say Piano Concerto No. 3 by Sergei Rachmaninoff. This concerto, often nicknamed the &#8220;Rach 3,&#8221; was intended as a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.classical.net\/music\/comp.lst\/works\/rachmaninoff\/pc3.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">show-off piece<\/a> to dazzle audiences on Rachmaninoff&#8217;s first American tour. This work graces many top-ten lists for good reason: despite being based around a relatively simple, singable theme, this concerto requires both virtuosity and passion.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-la-campanella-by-franz-liszt\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>2. \u201cLa Campanella\u201d by Franz Liszt<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Yundi Li: La campanella\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qiJcXAuOMNU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><b>Why it\u2019s hard:<\/b> \u201cThe Little Bell\u201d by Liszt requires extremely big leaps in the right hand done at dizzyingly fast speeds. The melody is brought out by the thumb, but the repeating D-sharps in the pinky act as a twinkling \u201cbell.\u201d This masterpiece in virtuosity and composition is an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/La-campanella\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">arrangement<\/a> of a melody by Paganini, one of the most famous virtuosic violinists who ever lived.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-take-the-a-train-as-performed-by-oscar-peterson\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>3. \u201cTake the A Train\u201d as performed by Oscar Peterson<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Take The &quot;A&quot; Train\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/X4b5R16ysJQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><b>Why it\u2019s hard:<\/b> Pianote&#8217;s Sam Vesely names highly variable harmonies and a high-precision, \u201cnearly impossible to recreate\u201d right hand as reasons for why this piece is so challenging. But what I love most about Oscar Peterson\u2019s performance is that despite the speed and climax near the end, Peterson never relinquishes control; he keeps it cool. There\u2019s a reason why Louis Armstrong called him <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca\/en\/article\/oscar-peterson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u201cthe man with four hands.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-gaspard-de-la-nuit-by-maurice-ravel\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>4. \u201cGaspard de la Nuit\u201d by Maurice Ravel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Lucas Debargue plays Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TQSyRXRuk6Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><b>Why it\u2019s hard:<\/b> Ravel wrote \u201cGaspard de la Nuit\u201d to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wqxr.org\/story\/ravel-gaspard-de-la-nuit-difficult-piece\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">one-up<\/a> Mily Balakirev\u2019s \u201cIslamey.\u201d In other words, this whirlwind of a piece was <i>designed<\/i> to be hard. And it\u2019s lived up to its name\u2014today, the three-part suite makes a frequent appearance on lists of difficult piano pieces. The dense score is nearly incomprehensible; pianist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicfm.com\/artists\/yuja-wang\/ravel-gaspard-de-la-nuit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Steven Osborne<\/a> even likened it to solving never-ending quadratic equations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-hungarian-rhapsody-no-2-by-franz-liszt\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>5. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 by Franz Liszt<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tom &amp; Jerry Nostalgia | Yannie Tan plays the Cat Concerto, Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 by Liszt\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/E1JKd1C7izQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><b>Why it\u2019s hard:<\/b> \u201cHungarian Rhapsody No. 2\u201d isn\u2019t the hardest piece ever, but it\u2019s certainly one of the most well-known and was made famous by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=E1JKd1C7izQ&amp;ab_channel=YannieTan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tom and Jerry<\/a>. Both the dramatic <i>lassan<\/i> and the energetic <i>friska<\/i> sections of the Rhapsody contain big leaps, tangling chords, and swift runs that require a high level of dexterity and accuracy. But while this song can be frustratingly difficult, it\u2019s also super rewarding. The melody is iconic, and you can tell the piece was designed to be performed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-mists-by-iannis-xenakis\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>6. \u201cMists\u201d by Iannis Xenakis<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Iannis Xenakis - Mists (1980) | Hayk Melikyan | LIVE\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uAdOrF3czBA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Why it\u2019s hard:<\/strong> While \u201cMists\u201d is technically challenging, more than anything, it\u2019s an intellectual feat to understand. Considered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/insync\/stochastic-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stochastic music <\/a>(music composed with the aid of equations and probability), \u201cMists\u201d was composed by an architect and composer who used math formulas to make mind-bending music. <a href=\"http:\/\/tide-pool.ca\/papers\/Thor%20Kell%20-%20CIM%202014.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Check out<\/a> how one academic re-creates the stochastic sections of \u201cMists\u201d with the programming language Python.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-hammerklavier-sonata-no-29-op-106-by-ludwig-van-beethoven\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>7. \u201cHammerklavier\u201d (Sonata No. 29 Op. 106) by Ludwig van Beethoven<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Beethoven Sonata #29 Op. 106 &quot;Hammerklavier&quot; Valentina Lisitsa\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ETjfAIHpJjY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><b>Why it\u2019s hard:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tpr.org\/arts-culture\/2013-04-23\/one-of-beethovens-greatest-testaments-the-hammerklavier-sonata\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Inspired<\/a> by a new, six-octave piano that was gifted to him, Beethoven\u2019s \u201cHammerklavier\u201d (which means <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fortepiano#:~:text=%22Fortepiano%22%20is%20Italian%20for%20%22,harpsichord%20with%20soft%20and%20loud%22.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pianoforte<\/a> in German) celebrates the new capabilities of the instrument. This piece features big, majestic chords and rapid passages. Apparently, it was the only sonata Beethoven wrote a <a href=\"https:\/\/standpointmag.co.uk\/critique-may-2018-jonathan-gaisman-beethoven-hammerklavier\/#:~:text=The%20Hammerklavier%20is%20of%20incredible,case%20he%20need%20not%20bother\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">metronome<\/a> marking for (132)\u2014a speed which only the most skilled pianists can follow.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-giant-steps-by-john-coltrane\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>8. \u201cGiant Steps\u201d by John Coltrane<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The most feared song in jazz, explained\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/62tIvfP9A2w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><b>Why it\u2019s hard:<\/b> Being able to improvise on \u201cGiant Steps\u201d is considered a rite of passage for many jazz musicians. The reason why this piece is so challenging to improvise upon is because the chord progression is so unusual. The music theory behind the genius of \u201cGiant Steps\u201d is complex but fascinating\u2014check out the short documentary above and try not to get a headache!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-sonata-no-5-by-alexander-scriabin\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>9. Sonata No. 5 by Alexander Scriabin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Yevgeny Sudbin plays Scriabin: Sonata No. 5, op. 53\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tYJJjT0vpqE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><b>Why it\u2019s hard:<\/b> You can tell this song will be intense by the sheer mess of trills and glissandos at the very beginning. Scriabin\u2019s fifth sonata has a reputation for being tough, and its dense score, gigantic chords, key changes, and speed make this song maze-like. Inspired by a poem by the composer, its passages conjure up images of \u201cflight\u201d and \u201cspirals\u201d and play with non-traditional <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scriabin-association.com\/scriabins-fifth-sonata-new-aspect-sonata-form\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">sonata form<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-lescalier-du-diable-the-devils-staircase-by-gyorgy-ligeti\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>10. \u201cL\u2019escalier du diable\u201d (\u201cThe Devil\u2019s Staircase\u201d) by Gy\u00f6rgy Ligeti<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Gy\u00f6rgy Ligeti: \u00c9tude No. 13: L&#039;escalier du diable \/ The Devil\u2019s Staircase\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uoLam2O3gtY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><b>Why it\u2019s hard:<\/b> With a name like \u201cthe devil\u2019s staircase,\u201d this piece is rightfully terrifying. Ligeti was fascinated by mathematics and <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Relativity_(M._C._Escher)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Escher\u2019s staircase<\/a>, along with the existential crisis of climbing never-ending stairs. The chords involved in this piece will tie your fingers into knots, but the most extraordinary part of Etude No. 13 may be its <i>eight<\/i> fortes! For a fascinating deep dive into the theory behind this piece, see Explore the Score\u2019s walkthrough <a href=\"https:\/\/www.explorethescore.org\/gyorgy-ligeti-piano-works-inside-the-score-etude-13.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"playing-the-most-difficult-piano-songs\" style=\"font-size:28px\"><strong>Playing the Most Difficult Piano Songs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, these pieces are probably inaccessible to most people. Professionals train for decades before they can tackle the hardest piano pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But that doesn\u2019t mean the rest of us should give up! And just because a song is hard, doesn\u2019t mean it sounds nice. Personally, I find some of the experimental pieces interesting, but I wouldn\u2019t choose them for my next road trip soundtrack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At Pianote, we believe that at the end of the day, music should create joy. So, find pieces that you like the sound of, that are <i>just<\/i> hard enough to give you a meaningful challenge and sense of achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And who knows? Perhaps one day you\u2019ll have the chops to bust out Ligeti!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You May Also Like:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/famous-classical-piano-songs\/\">40+ Classical Piano Songs By Difficulty<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-ability-levels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Find Your Piano Skill Level (Classical, Jazz, Pop)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-rock-songs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">36 Greatest Piano Rock Songs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"tve-leads-shortcode tve-leads-triggered tve-tl-anim tl-anim-instant tve-leads-track-shortcode_16126\"><div class=\"tl-style\" id=\"tve_tcb2_blank\" data-state=\"52\" data-form-state=\"\"><style type=\"text\/css\" class=\"tve_custom_style\">@import url(\"\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css?family=Bebas+Neue:400&subset=latin\");@import url(\"\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css?family=Open+Sans:400,400i,700,700i,600,600i,800,500&subset=latin\");@media (min-width: 300px){[data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b1884fe\"]{--tve-border-radius: 6px;overflow: hidden;border-radius: 6px !important;background-color: rgb(255,228,230) !important;--background-color: rgb(255,228,230) !important;--tve-applied-background-color: rgb(255,228,230) !important;background-image: none !important;--background-image: none !important;--tve-applied-background-image: none !important;margin-bottom: 1px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}[data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b1884ff\"]{margin-bottom: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;margin-top: 10px !important;}[data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188500\"]{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;padding-top: 1px !important;}:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188502\"]{--g-regular-weight: 400;--g-bold-weight: 700;color: var(--tcb-color-3) !important;--tcb-applied-color: var$(--tcb-color-3) !important;--tve-applied-color: var$(--tcb-color-3) !important;font-family: \"Open Sans\" !important;font-size: 22px !important;}:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188502\"] strong{font-weight: 700 !important;}[data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188503\"]{padding-top: 8px !important;margin-bottom: 1px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;}:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188504\"]{--g-regular-weight: 400;font-family: \"Open Sans\" !important;font-weight: var(--g-regular-weight,normal) !important;color: var(--tcb-color-3) !important;--tcb-applied-color: var$(--tcb-color-3) !important;--tve-applied-color: var$(--tcb-color-3) !important;font-size: 16px !important;}[data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188505\"] .tcb-button-link{border-radius: 100px;overflow: hidden;letter-spacing: var(--tve-letter-spacing,2px);background-color: var(--tcb-local-color-394d4) !important;padding: 18px 30px !important;}:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188505\"] .tcb-button-link{font-family: var(--tve-font-family,\"Bebas Neue\");font-size: var(--tve-font-size,16px) !important;}[data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188505\"]{--tve-font-size: 16px;--tve-font-weight: var(--g-bold-weight,bold);--tve-letter-spacing: 2px;--tcb-local-color-1bda9: rgb(19,114,211);--tve-color: rgb(255,255,255);--tve-alignment: center;float: none;--tve-font-family: \"Bebas Neue\";--g-regular-weight: 400;--tcb-local-color-394d4: var(--tcb-color-0) !important;margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188505\"] .tcb-button-link span{font-weight: var(--tve-font-weight,var(--g-bold-weight,bold));color: var(--tve-color,rgb(255,255,255));--tcb-applied-color: rgb(255,255,255);}:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188505\"]:hover .tcb-button-link{background-color: var(--tcb-local-color-394d4) !important;background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(255,255,255,0.06),rgba(255,255,255,0.06)) !important;background-size: auto !important;background-position: 50% 50% !important;background-attachment: scroll !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;}[data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188505\"].tve-state-active .tcb-button-link{background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0,0,0,0.4),rgba(0,0,0,0.4)) !important;background-size: auto !important;background-position: 50% 50% !important;background-attachment: scroll !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;--background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0,0,0,0.4),rgba(0,0,0,0.4)) !important;--background-size: auto !important;--background-position: 50% 50% !important;--background-attachment: scroll !important;--background-repeat: no-repeat !important;--tve-applied-background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0,0,0,0.4),rgba(0,0,0,0.4)) !important;}:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188505\"].tve-state-active .tcb-button-link{background-color: var(--tcb-local-color-394d4) !important;--background-color: var(--tcb-local-color-394d4) !important;--tve-applied-background-color: var$(--tcb-local-color-394d4) !important;}:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188506\"]{font-size: 22px !important;}}@media (max-width: 1023px){[data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188503\"]{padding-left: 1px !important;padding-right: 1px !important;}}@media (max-width: 767px){[data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b1884ff\"]{padding: 2px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-top: 20px !important;}[data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188503\"]{padding: 2px 0px !important;}}<\/style><style type=\"text\/css\" class=\"tve_user_custom_style\">.tve-leads-conversion-object .thrv_heading h1,.tve-leads-conversion-object .thrv_heading h2,.tve-leads-conversion-object .thrv_heading h3{margin:0;padding:0}.tve-leads-conversion-object .thrv_text_element p,.tve-leads-conversion-object .thrv_text_element h1,.tve-leads-conversion-object .thrv_text_element h2,.tve-leads-conversion-object .thrv_text_element h3{margin:0}<\/style><div class=\"tve-leads-conversion-object\" data-tl-type=\"shortcode_16126\"><div class=\"tve_flt\"><div id=\"tve_editor\" class=\"tve_shortcode_editor\"><div class=\"thrv-leads-form-box tve_no_drag tve_no_icons thrv_wrapper tve_editor_main_content thrv-leads-in-content tve_empty_dropzone\" style=\"--tve-border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 6px !important;\" data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b1884fe\"><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_contentbox_shortcode thrv-content-box tve-elem-default-pad\" data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b1884ff\" style=\"\"><div class=\"tve-content-box-background\"><\/div><div class=\"tve-cb\"><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element\" data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188500\"><h3 class=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188502\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Learn With Real Piano Teachers<\/b><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv_text_element\" data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188503\" style=\"\"><p data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188504\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Get real feedback from real experts\u2026all from the comfort of your own home. Explore our Method and community for yourself with a free trial.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"thrv_wrapper thrv-button thrv-button-v2 tcb-local-vars-root tve_ea_thrive_animation tve_anim_grow\" data-button-style=\"btn-tpl-58447\" data-tcb_hover_state_parent=\"\" data-button-size-d=\"s\" data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188505\" style=\"\"><div class=\"thrive-colors-palette-config\" style=\"display: none !important\"><\/div>\t\t<a href=\"\/trial\" class=\"tcb-button-link tcb-plain-text tve_evt_manager_listen tve_et_tve-viewport\" style=\"\" target=\"_blank\" data-tcb-events=\"__TCB_EVENT_[{&quot;t&quot;:&quot;tve-viewport&quot;,&quot;config&quot;:{&quot;anim&quot;:&quot;grow&quot;,&quot;loop&quot;:1},&quot;a&quot;:&quot;thrive_animation&quot;}]_TNEVE_BCT__\">\t\t<span class=\"tcb-button-texts\" style=\"\"><span class=\"tcb-button-text thrv-inline-text\" style=\"\" data-css=\"tve-u-18c4b188506\">Try Pianote for 7 Days<\/span><span class=\"tcb-secondary-text thrv-inline-text tve-froala fr-box fr-basic\" style=\"\"><\/span><\/span>\t<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our list of the hardest piano songs ever, from classical to jazz to modern experimental music. Learn what makes a song difficult with Pianote<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":14504,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1108],"tags":[1133],"class_list":["post-2689","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-musicianship","tag-survey"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2689","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2689"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2689\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16577,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2689\/revisions\/16577"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2689"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2689"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2689"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}