Learning difficult piano pieces challenges most of us, but the process can be extremely rewarding. Some works push the limits of our technique, demanding lightning-fast fingers, Herculean hand stretches and precise dynamic control. Others test our skills in interpretation, emotional depth, and musical sensibility.

But which songs are the hardest to learn, really? If you're ready for a challenge, we've selected ten of the toughest pieces to learn with the flowkey app. They're the most advanced pieces in flowkey's ever-growing song library, including work from composers like Mozart, Franz Liszt and Amy Beach.

flowkey is there to help you learn these pieces. Using the app, you can slow the tempo or break songs down into manageable sections, all while following the hands of professional pianists who show you exactly how it's done.

Whether you're hoping to conquer modern medleys, Romantic showstoppers, or Baroque masterpieces, each work is a unique challenge. Below, we dive into the history of each piece and offer practical advice for performing it with confidence.

Let's go.

1. Franz Liszt - La Campanella

A technical masterpiece

Franz Liszt’s "La Campenalla" is among the most notorious technical showpieces ever written for piano. Based on a theme by the violinist Niccolò Paganini, its name ("the little bell") comes from the piece's bell-like melody. This work has impressed audiences for over 170 years, cementing Liszt's reputation as the ultimate virtuoso.

flowkey’s intermediate and advanced arrangements are simplified versions of the original "La Campanella", and should provide a solid springboard for you to take on the original piece when you feel ready. Work on maintaining smooth, even phrasing in the trickier moments, such as the demisemiquavers that appear around bar 22.

2. Mozart - Requiem

A sacred, intense work

Mozart's epic "Requiem", composed during the final months of his life, is a sacred, intense work. Originally written for choir and orchestra, flowkey's piano arrangement of "Requiem" captures the harmonic richness that makes it such a powerful piece.

Though it's not the most technically demanding selection in our list, doing "Requiem" justice still requires diligent practice. As with every piece, it pays to take the music one bar at a time, staying with a passage until you can play it with confidence.

3. Franz Liszt - Liebestraum No. 3

A busy left hand

"Liebestraum No. 3" captures Franz Liszt's peerless Romantic style, complementing lyrical melodies with subtle ornamentation. "Liebestraum" means "Dream of Love," and the third piece in this trio of works captures the romantic and sometimes restless emotions of Liszt's life, reflecting his passion and penchant for drama.

flowkey's pro-level arrangement presents a challenge to even the most confident players. Prepare for your left hand to get a workout, as parts such as the ascending arpeggio in bar 58 will help your left hands's dexterity and control.

4. Chopin - Nocturne in B, Op. 32, No. 1

Tender and graceful

Nocturnes are single-movement character pieces, typically for solo piano, intended to capture the melancholic and tranquil mood that descends when the sun goes down. Chopin was a master of the form, writing 21 nocturnes in his lifetime.

"Op. 32, No. 1" is a tender and graceful piece of music. To perform it well, focus on nailing the subtle flourishes and details that contribute to its evocative character, such as the grouped grace notes that begin bar 13, and the ornamental quintuplets that pop up throughout the piece.

5. Bach - Goldberg Variations

Made famous by Glenn Gould

The story goes that the "Goldberg Variations" were written for a young harpsichordist named Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, who played them to soothe his patron's sleepless nights. The work begins with a sarabande-style aria, or vocal piece, followed by thirty variations exploring shifting meters, colourful harmonies and intricate counterpoint.

The "Goldberg Variations" was made famous by pianist Glenn Gould, who carved out a place for the work in the standard piano repertoire with a celebrated and best-selling 1955 recording. Listening closely to other pianists' interpretations of a piece is an excellent way to learn, and Gould's recording is a source of inspiration for thousands.

6. Jacques Offenbach - Cancan

The spirit of cabaret

Taking its modern name from the high-kicking, 19th-century French dance, "Cancan"'s exhilarating melody captures the spirit of Parisian cabaret. As such, it featured memorably in Moulin Rouge!, The Little Mermaid and other Hollywood movies.

"Cancan" is a lively and spirited piece, so concentrate on keeping your articulation crisp and energetic, especially in the staccato parts. The left hand's steady rhythm provides an anchor for the bouncing right-hand melody, which sings out above its accompaniment with clarity.

7. Beethoven - I. Waldstein – Sonata No. 21 in C

Simple but quick rhythms

Beethoven's "Waldstein Sonata" belongs to his "middle period", when he began stretching classical forms and experimenting with piano technique. Dedicated to his patron Count Waldstein, the work was revolutionary at its time of release in 1804. Its first movement is lively, boisterous and full of energy.

Take a brief glance at the score, and this piece may not seem too daunting. But once you hit play, and you'll hear why the "Waldstein" has earned a place on this list. The rhythms here may be simple enough, but executing them at the required tempo will take dedication. As always with a difficult piece, begin at a slow pace and speed up when you feel comfortable.

8. Game of Thrones Medley

Big mood shifts

Ramin Djawadi's score for the fantasy series Game of Thrones earned the Iranian-German composer two Grammy nominations. flowkey's medley combines the score's most memorable moments into a thrilling piece that's just as difficult to master as any of the classical works on our list.

The medley will test your ability to shift between moods, from the introduction's plaintive melodies to the rousing chords rounding off the piece. The central section will require the most attention, with thunderous, octave-spanning arpeggios that blend triplets, sextuplets and semiquavers.

9. Amy Beach - In Autumn

A must for beginners

Amy Beach, the US's first breakout woman symphonic composer, published "In Autumn" in 1900 as part of her Four Sketches for Piano. Her works, this one included, helped her secure a place in history as a pioneering composer in an era dominated by men.

Attention to dynamics brings pieces like this alive. Be sure to take note of the accents and crescendos, and don't be afraid to emphasize these for dramatic effect. Pay attention to tempo markings such as poco ritardando—a musical instruction meaning "slow down a little"—as these help to guide the music's rhythmic flow.

10. The Greatest Showman Medley

Broadway-inspired energy

Released in 2017, The Greatest Showman swiftly became a global hit, thanks in no small part to an uplifting orchestral score by John Debney and Joseph Trapanese. flowkey's medley translates The Greatest Showman's theatrical, Broadway-inspired energy for the piano.

The piece has numerous switches between key signatures and tempos, but these sections must be stitched together for the audience into a coherent performance, with transitions that flow naturally. Try to think of the medley as one unfolding narrative with distinct chapters.

Start learning with the flowkey app

All these songs – and thousands more – are available to learn with the flowkey app. You'll also have access to a whole library of beautiful piano arrangements spanning a range of genres, including, classical, pop, video game music, and more. Download the flowkey app and start learning today.