With "Joy to the World," George Frideric Handel gave humanity one of its most recognisable melodies. Though this classic Christmas carol is credited to the American composer Lowell Mason, who published it in 1848, it was Handel who gifted the centuries-old piece its unmistakable melody.

But Handel's career was about much more than Christmas songs. A visionary composer from the baroque era who rose from relatively humble beginnings, Handel was once forbidden from even playing music by his father, who had hoped his mischievous son would study law – not become a musician. Not to be disheartened, the younger Handel snuck a clavichord into a disused room in the family home, playing it only while the rest of the household slept.

The course of music history changed when, by chance, the well-practiced Handel played a church organ within earshot of a member of the royal family, Duke Johann Adolf I, who was so impressed with the young boy's skills that he convinced Handel's father to send him to music school.

In the following decades, George Frideric Handel would write some of music's best-known compositions, many of which still get plenty of attention today. We've rounded up five highlights from Handel's rich catalog, all of which are available to learn with flowkey, usually in a range of difficulty levels. So whether you're a beginner or experienced player, pick a song and start playing.

5. Hallelujah – Messiah, HWV 56

A classic, euphoric melody

Most of us know "Hallelujah" from Handel's Messiah as a Christmas song, but it was actually composed for Easter. Legend has it that King George II was so touched by "Hallelujah" that he stood upon hearing it performed for the first time, a tradition concert crowds around the world continue today.

Though it was composed with a choir in mind, "Hallelujah" is particularly moving on piano. This is mostly thanks to the unmistakable melody, played with the right hand. There are two arrangements available to learn on flowkey, including an intermediate version aimed at less experienced players. Though it may be simpler, the arrangement channels the sheer euphoria of Handel's original, which remains one of the most celebrated compositions of all time.

4. Passacaglia

Melancholy across several octaves

Where "Hallelujah" is pure euphoria, there's a certain melancholy to "Passacaglia". Originally composed by Handel for harpsichord in 1729, the version we know today was written by the Norwegian composer Johan Halvorsen for violin and cello more than 100 years later.

With a busy left hand and a melody that stretches across several octaves, "Passacaglia" is one of the more difficult pieces on this list. We recommend listening to the flowkey arrangement a few times, and letting its touching melody wash over. Start by learning the right hand, then the left, then both hands at once. Stick with it, the payoff will be worthwhile. 

3. Sarabande – Suite No. 4 in Dm, HWV 437

Inspired by a once-forbidden dance

"Sarabande" takes its name from a centuries-old Central American dance once deemed so risqué that it was banned in Spain in the late 16th century. The Sarabande nevertheless made its way throughout the rest of Western Europe, where it took on a slower tempo. It was eventually discovered by composers like Bach and Handel, who wrote baroque compositions in the Sarabande's newfound style. Handel's interpretation, written between 1703 and 1706, remains one of the baroque's period best-loved compositions. 

'Suite No. 4 in D minor, HWV 437" might initially sound more suitable for a funeral than a dance. However, closer listening reveals a tinge of hope, heard in the thoughtful melody and repetitive left-hand pattern. There’s a lot of hand alternation on flowkey’s intermediate, making it excellent piece for mastering hand coordination.

2. Minuet in Gm, HWV 434/4

Once called a "drop from heaven"

In a catalog filled with beautiful melodies, "Minuet in G Minor" is among Handel's most gorgeous. Part of a collection of suites composed for harpsichord around 1720, the piece has been called a "drop from heaven" by the great composer's fans.

"Minuet in G Minor" is relatively simple in terms of structure. It's in 3/4 time, with its evocative baroque sound heard in the interplay between chords and melodies played with both hands. Because of this hand movement, the piece is best attempted by experienced players. We recommend beginning with the advanced arrangement on flowkey before moving onto the pro version.

1. Joy to the World

The Christmas classic

Could anything else have been number one? "Joy To The World" is said to be the most-performed Christmas song of all time, sung in churches, school auditoriums and family gatherings all around the world each holiday season. The lyrics we know come from Isaac Watts, but the melody is somewhat controversially attributed to Handel, who actually wrote a piece that inspired "Joy To The World".

Listening to the instrumental, it's easy to understand why "Joy To The World" became such a hit. Even its simplest arrangements feel euphoric, as heard in the beginner version on flowkey. The right-hand melody mostly stays in a single octave, while the left-hand part consists of only three notes. "Joy To The World" may be a Christmas song, but don't let that stop you from playing it all year round.

Learn to play these songs (and many more) with the flowkey app

Practice classical piano songs with flowkey's interactive tutorials. Choose from hundreds of classical pieces at a range of difficulty levels, from beginner to pro. As you practice, you'll get instant feedback on your playing through flowkey's note-recognition technology, making learning new songs fun and easy. Get flowkey today to start learning.