Easy Chopin Pieces

[jason_sioco]

I'm not looking for an easy version of his pieces. I'm looking for an authentic version of a Chopin piece that is fairly easy to play. One song I know by Chopin that is easy to play is Prelude in E Minor op.28 no.4.

[robatsch]

Other relatively easy pieces by Chopin include:

Prelude 6 in B minor
Prelude 15- "Raindrop"
Prelude 20 in C minor

Nocturne 20 in C-sharp minor (posthumous)
Mazurka 17 4
Prelude in A major

[dcstudio]

Waltz in A minor (posth) is also quite popular with students

[mjames]

easy to play and easy to butcher

op. 69 waltzes are nice.

[dcstudio]

easy to play and easy to butcher

lol...ain't it the truth.

[chopinlover01]

easy to play and easy to butcher

I don't think this has ever been said better.

That said, I think the op 69/2 waltz (b minor) is overrated... the first one though is nice.

[pencilart3]

I'm not looking for an easy version of his pieces. I'm looking for an authentic version of a Chopin piece that is fairly easy to play. One song I know by Chopin that is easy to play is Prelude in E Minor op.28 no.4.

Mazurka Op. 67 No. 2 I played it when I was 8, I think you can probably handle this...

[mxobok]

The Bb Mazurka, Op 7 No 1, is pretty easy.

[ianw]

If it's any help the database at www.pianosyllabus.com lists two Chopin pieces at grade 3 and seven at grade 4. Obviously loads more at higher grades.

[kevonthegreatpianist]

Hmmm. IMO, even the easiest pieces by Chopin are very hard. I was sight-reading the Funeral March from the Op.35 Sonata a few days ago, and I messed up a hell lot.

-Waltz in a minor
-Waltz in Eb Major
-Waltz Op.34 No.2
-Waltz Op.69 No.2
-Mazurka Op.7 No.1
-Mazurka Op.67 No.3
-Mazurka in G Major
-Mazurka in Bb Major
-Polonaise in g minor
-Polonaise in bb minor 'L'adieu'
-Nocturne in c minor
-Nocturne Op.15 No.3
-Prelude Op.28 No.4 'Desperation'
-Prelude Op.28 No.6 'Tolling Bells'
-Prelude Op.28 No.7 'Polish Song'
-Prelude Op.28 No.20 'Funeral March'
-Sonata Op.35 Funeral March

Tell me if I missed some.

[pencilart3]

-Prelude Op.28 No.4 'Desperation'

Lol usually no. 4 is called "suffocation", and no. 8 is called "desperation". I thought you were trying to trick him!     

-Sonata Op.35 Funeral March

Sonata Op. 35 MOVEMENT 3: Marche Funebre. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PLAY THE ENTIRE SONATA.

Start off with the preludes kevon mentioned, a bunch of mazurkas are doable and some waltzes. STEER CLEAR OF BALLADES AND ETUDES. ALL OF THEM. and try to avoid nocturnes as they are musically demanding. I find polonaises to be a bit boring and frustrating. I'd say your best bet is mazurkas, waltzes, and EASY preludes. (Not 8, 12, 16, 19, 24... ) 

[chopinlover01]

Or we could try a different approach- if they can't read it 50% drop it?
Although, come to think of it, that's still an F...

[visitor]

Where the heck do those stupid names next to the preludes come from.  Have never seen that and I could not help but laugh at how idiotic it looks and sounds.

I can see the concert program notes in my head now.
Fred's prelude no _. " Flatulation"
good grief.   

[j_menz]

Where the heck do those stupid names next to the preludes come from. 

Von Bulow or Cortot.

Von Bulow obviously did it in a drunken attempt at revenge on the universe after Cossie left him for Richie.

Cortot just seems to have thought he was being cool, or, being French, in an attempt to pull the ladies.

[chopinlover01]

Cortot just seems to have thought he was being cool, or, being French, in an attempt to pull the ladies.

But why? Cortot was amazing anyways, he could've just focused on his amazing reorchestration of the Chopin F minor concerto (it was him, right? That did the reorchestration in his recording?).

[mjames]

How about you go for some Burgmuller, Bach inventions, some album leaves, and sonatinas before you go into Chopin? All of the "easy" pieces are intermediate level works, meaning works for pianists that are already have a firm grasp on the fundamentals. They're not meant for beginners because chances are, you'll play them terribly.

*assuming OP is a beginner cause well, only usually beginners are the ones who ask these type of questions.

[pencilart3]

How about you go for some Burgmuller, Bach inventions, some album leaves, and sonatinas before you go into Chopin? All of the "easy" pieces are intermediate level works, meaning works for pianists that are already have a firm grasp on the fundamentals. They're not meant for beginners because chances are, you'll play them terribly.

*assuming OP is a beginner cause well, only usually beginners are the ones who ask these type of questions.

That there is some good advice. Why do you want to jump into chopin so soon?

[visitor]

I mean there are other options, just look at this Cui prelude (no 6) first in video

**the alegro can be a difficult but if practiced slowly over time most can manage as it's not all that bad in terms of writing and texture. still feels easier than most Chopin).

[mjames]

I mean there are other options, just look at this Cui prelude (no 6) first in video

There are always other easier, and in a lot of cases, more interesting alternatives to the 'pop' composers of classical music. Newcomers are usually obsessed with this kinda stuff, I mean I went through it too. But yeah, once you get better and get into piano playing in general, you'll end up appreciating and loving music that goes beyond the 'standard' repertoire. Hopefully that'll happen for OP. 

[kevonthegreatpianist]

Lol usually no. 4 is called "suffocation", and no. 8 is called "desperation". I thought you were trying to trick him!     

Sonata Op. 35 MOVEMENT 3: Marche Funebre. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PLAY THE ENTIRE SONATA.

Start off with the preludes kevon mentioned, a bunch of mazurkas are doable and some waltzes. STEER CLEAR OF BALLADES AND ETUDES. ALL OF THEM. and try to avoid nocturnes as they are musically demanding. I find polonaises to be a bit boring and frustrating. I'd say your best bet is mazurkas, waltzes, and EASY preludes. (Not 8, 12, 16, 19, 24... ) 

Guess what? I have played the entire sonata.

And guess what again? I forgot about the Tris Novellus Etude 1.

And another guess what. I can't remember Prelude nicknames.

Where the heck do those stupid names next to the preludes come from.  Have never seen that and I could not help but laugh at how idiotic it looks and sounds.

I can see the concert program notes in my head now.
Fred's prelude no _. " Flatulation"
good grief.   

Ikr. My nicknames would be 'The first prelude' 'The e minor prelude' 'The hard prelude' lol

[pencilart3]

My nicknames would be 'The first prelude' 'The e minor prelude' 'The hard prelude' lol

The hard prelude lol.... which one is that? 8? 12? 16? 19? 24? WHAT ABOUT OP. 28?     

 how about just saying the key it's in? (C Major, d minor...)

[kevonthegreatpianist]

The hard prelude lol.... which one is that? 8? 12? 16? 19? 24? WHAT ABOUT OP. 28?     

 how about just saying the key it's in? (C Major, d minor...)

I grade Preludes this way:

Intermediate:
Op.28 No.4
Op.28 No.6
Op.28 No.7
Op.28 No.20

Late Intermediate:
Op.28 No.2
Op.28 No.9
Op.28 No.11
Op.28 No.13
Op.28 No.15
Op.28 No.17
Op.28 No.23
Op.45

Early Advanced:
Op.28 No.1
Op.28 No.3
Op.28 No.5
Op.28 No.10
Op.28 No.14
Op.28 No.18
Op.28 No.21
Prelude in ab Major
Prelude in eb minor

Advanced:
Op.28 No.8
Op.28 No.12
Op.28 No.19

Very Advanced:
Op.28 No.16
Op.28 No.24

[pencilart3]

Not a bad list, 14, 11, and 1 are all about the same difficulty imo. Most people find 3 very difficult, I didn't find it as hard as, say 5 or 10. 19 is definitely on the very advanced list.

[kevonthegreatpianist]

Not a bad list, 14, 11, and 1 are all about the same difficulty imo. Most people find 3 very difficult, I didn't find it as hard as, say 5 or 10. 19 is definitely on the very advanced list.

I forgot a few Preludes. List edit:

Intermediate:
Op.28 No.4
Op.28 No.6
Op.28 No.7
Op.28 No.20

Late Intermediate:
Op.28 No.2
Op.28 No.9
Op.28 No.11
Op.28 No.13
Op.28 No.15
Op.28 No.17
Op.28 No.23

Early Advanced:
Op.28 No.1
Op.28 No.3
Op.28 No.5
Op.28 No.10
Op.28 No.14
Op.28 No.18
Op.28 No.21
Op.28 No.22
Op.45
Prelude in ab Major
Prelude in eb minor

Advanced:
Op.28 No.8
Op.28 No.12

Very Advanced:
Op.28 No.16
Op.28 No.19
Op.28 No.24

I underestimated Op.45. I played it today and I'm moving it the Early Advanced list. I think some of the Preludes are way harder than the Etudes. Here's the Etude list (lol i make you guys read too much):

Late Intermediate:
Op.10 No.6
Etude in f minor
Etude in Ab Major

Early Advanced:
Op.10 No.3
Op.10 No.9
Op.10 No.11
Op.25 No.1
Op.25 No.2
Op.25 No.3
Op.25 No.4
Op.25 No.5
Op.25 No.7
Op.25 No.8
Op.25 No.9
Etude in Db Major

Advanced:
Op.10 No.4
Op.10 No.5
Op.10 No.7
Op.10 No.8
Op.10 No.10
Op.10 No.12
Op.25 No.10
Op.25 No.12

Very Advanced:
Op.10 No.1
Op.10 No.2
Op.25 No.6
Op.25 No.11

[chopinlover01]

25/3 easier than 10/5. Right.

[kevonthegreatpianist]

25/3 easier than 10/5. Right.

10/5 has superbly fast notes in the right hand and giant leaps in the left. 25/3 has moderately fast notes in the right and octave leaps in the left. Which is harder?

btw, this is, at a point, subjective. After all, I made it up.

[pencilart3]

25/3 is harder. Just trust us man. I'm playing 10/5 right now (I will record it in a week or 2) and yes, it's very hard, but 25/3 is simply more difficult. Technically and musically.

Also 25/4 and 25/8 are both very, very difficult. 10/12 is not nearly as hard as either of these, in my opinion.

[kevonthegreatpianist]

25/3 is harder. Just trust us man. I'm playing 10/5 right now (I will record it in a week or 2) and yes, it's very hard, but 25/3 is simply more difficult. Technically and musically.

Also 25/4 and 25/8 are both very, very difficult. 10/12 is not nearly as hard as either of these, in my opinion.

wow. this forum has changed into a etude-list evaluting forum.

25/4 and 25/8 are very difficult indeed, but don't overestimate them. I have huge hands (can span 11ths) so I can play both fairly easily. 10/12 isn't very difficult, but like all Etudes, it takes a lot of time mastering it. I mean, the LH sixteenth notes span two octaves, and same for the 10/5.

[pencilart3]

wow. this forum has changed into a etude-list evaluting forum.

Uh... I didn't start it...

[hfmadopter]

I know it was mentioned, Nocturne in C minor ( specifically Op 9 no. 2). I think it would make a good study for someone looking to advance a little bit and get into Chopin's mood. Parts would be a struggle for someone not advanced enough to handle them but still could learn technique from. Also from it you get to take on the C minor key, a great key to work in for some improv/ original creation, if you will. Just working within the chord structure and scales makes for easy transition into a piece of music of your own. At least I think so anyway. And working within the chords and scales also improves the Chopin work itself.

We have to build as pianists somehow ! I wouldn't be so concerned with a perfect performance at this stage but to learn the tools to that end.

Don't forget  to work on some Mozart and Clemente works along the way. Way back when ( decades ago now) my teacher didn't get me going in Chopins main works till maybe my 4th or 5 th year FWIW, and she wasn't looking for perfection in performance but that I gained something from it. She did give me parts of Chopin pieces to study though, even Etudes, little pieces of the etudes. My book of etudes still has her pencil marks in it outlining what she wanted me to study within the etude and I was to utilize that technique gained maybe in Mozart for instance, which she did expect a good performance in. She knew I loved Chopin but she also knew I wasn't ready to tackle his works early on. People today, they just dive in head first !!! I have to say, just because you can play and hit all the notes does not a Chopin performance make LOL. It's so much more, you have to be able to release emotion through the keyboard and make that sound present in the music, I'd rather hear a flubbed up note, missed or otherwise than flubbed up expression. I believe Horowitz said something to the effect of you can't make Chopin sound good unless you can play like Mozart or something to that effect. Anyway, you need interconnection between composers. Knowing that then you should know this stuff doesn't come over night.

[visitor]

have always loved this, the piano for this is a cinch, you'll need to find a decent flutist though

[roncesvalles]

A ranking from my limited experience:

Easy (all require knowledge of chords, each has some very large chords)
Op 28 nos 4, 7, 20

Not quite as easy:
Largo in Eb Major
Op 28 no. 6    (requires left hand arpeggios, some repetition of notes with the RH's weaker fingers)

Intermediate Easy:
Waltz in a, opus posth.   (requires controlled arpeggios, grace notes, some jumps, and general fluid playing and good phrasing)
Fugue   (requires some independence of hands, ability to play multiple lines, and ability to trill)

Harder Easy:
Op 28. no 2.  (requires the playing of legato double notes in the left hand, often with considerable stretches, could be in an easier category depending on your hand size and left hand ability)
Op. 17 no 4, mazurka.   (requires cantabile playing, ability to do rapid but light ornamental flourishes, some very simple chromatic fingering)

In the next tier are some of the waltzes, more characteristic mazurkas, and the hexameron variation.   

At the beginner level, though, you really want to look at other composers' works.  The easiest Chopin works are pretty much all slow, lyrical works with chords.   At your level, you need to diversify.   You should really pick up a beginner piano book (or few), which will expose you to a lot more techniques that you will need.   You're going to need to be able to play arpeggios in both hands, melodies and counterpoint with your left, so looking to simpler music will enable you to learn those kinds of things without forcing you into the deep end (which can also lead to you having bad playing habits).

[dcstudio]

have always loved this, the piano for this is a cinch, you'll need to find a decent flutist though

I like that one too.   

[kevonthegreatpianist]

Uh... I didn't start it...

I know you didn't.

A ranking from my limited experience:

Easy (all require knowledge of chords, each has some very large chords)
Op 28 nos 4, 7, 20

Not quite as easy:
Largo in Eb Major
Op 28 no. 6    (requires left hand arpeggios, some repetition of notes with the RH's weaker fingers)

Intermediate Easy:
Waltz in a, opus posth.   (requires controlled arpeggios, grace notes, some jumps, and general fluid playing and good phrasing)
Fugue   (requires some independence of hands, ability to play multiple lines, and ability to trill)

Harder Easy:
Op 28. no 2.  (requires the playing of legato double notes in the left hand, often with considerable stretches, could be in an easier category depending on your hand size and left hand ability)
Op. 17 no 4, mazurka.   (requires cantabile playing, ability to do rapid but light ornamental flourishes, some very simple chromatic fingering)

In the next tier are some of the waltzes, more characteristic mazurkas, and the hexameron variation.  

At the beginner level, though, you really want to look at other composers' works.  The easiest Chopin works are pretty much all slow, lyrical works with chords.   At your level, you need to diversify.   You should really pick up a beginner piano book (or few), which will expose you to a lot more techniques that you will need.   You're going to need to be able to play arpeggios in both hands, melodies and counterpoint with your left, so looking to simpler music will enable you to learn those kinds of things without forcing you into the deep end (which can also lead to you having bad playing habits).

If I were to list mine, it would be tomorrow night and I still won't be done.

Chopin composed a lot of pieces.... I'll give you examples.

Early Intermediate (Grade 4-5): Waltz in a minor
Intermediate (Grade 5-6): Prelude Op.28 No.4; Mazurka Op.67 No.2
Late Intermediate (Grade 6-7): Nocturne Op.9 No.2; Waltz in Op.69 No.2
Early Advanced (Grade 7-8) : Polonaise Op.26 No.1; Mazurka Op.50 No.3
Advanced (Grade 8-9 (If there's such thing)): Etude Op.10 No.5; Fantasie-Impromptu Op.66
Very Advanced (Grade 9-10): Ballade Op.23; Scherzo Op.20
Extremely Advanced (Grade 10+ (I've run out of commonly-used adjectives. I could go for superb, or brain-exploding, but screw it)): Ballade Op.52

[mjames]

meh, why do people waste their times on boring Chopin pieces when you can play far more intesresting works of the same level? well, it's your choice...


I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but the chopin contradanse is nice.

[arietteisclassical]

The easiest one are the waltzes
(Chopin's works are all easy, seriously.)

[pencilart3]

The easiest one are the waltzes
(Chopin's works are all easy, seriously.)

HAHAHAHAHA! Tears are rolling down my face! Good one, buddy! 

[expressman70]

The first and the second concerti are not that bad in comparison to Alkan's solo concerto for piano. Might want to give those a try sometime!

Good luck!

[kevonthegreatpianist]

The easiest one are the waltzes
(Chopin's works are all easy, seriously.)

I have to laugh at that.

Should it be the opposite? I mean, you shouldn't even try Chopin until you've played two to three years of piano, and to master his hardest pieces, you have to be the level of Beethoven's late sonatas, Liszt's Etudes, or Schumann's toccatas.

The easiest category, indeed, are the waltzes. Even so, some of the waltzes are incredibly hard. The Grand Valse Brilliante Op.18 requires the level of Mozart's sonatas or Debussy's Suite Bergrasme. 

Like I said, I have to laugh at that comment.

[kevonthegreatpianist]

meh, why do people waste their times on boring Chopin pieces when you can play far more intesresting works of the same level? well, it's your choice...


I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but the chopin contradanse is nice.

well, i like his tarantella.

[chopinlover01]

well, i like his tarantella.

Which, if you looked it up, is rated as grade 8+. Not exactly an "easy Chopin piece".

[mjames]

his tarentella is fun. I love the first half of it but imo it loses its fire during the second half of the piece.

Anyways, if wanna talk about chopin's obscure works, I'd pick his allegro de concert. It's actually my favorite work of his. The orchestral parts are awkward and sometimes distasteful, but the piano solo sections are just unbelievably well written. Imo some of Chopin's best work (he agrees too! ;P), and the coda is just wooooooooooow, like fairies flying around your magic wand in some faraway fairy tale land. Honestly wish Chopin wrote more 'happy' pieces.  

[josh93248]

his tarentella is fun. I love the first half of it but imo it loses its fire during the second half of the piece.

Anyways, if wanna talk about chopin's obscure works, I'd pick his allegro de concert. It's actually my favorite work of his. The orchestral parts are awkward and sometimes distasteful, but the piano solo sections are just unbelievably well written. Imo some of Chopin's best work (he agrees too! ;P), and the coda is just wooooooooooow, like fairies flying around your magic wand in some faraway fairy tale land. Honestly wish Chopin wrote more 'happy' pieces.  

Oooh, I love the Allegro de Concert It can be a bit meandering but I think it has some excellent moments and is very entertaining.

[kevonthegreatpianist]

Which, if you looked it up, is rated as grade 8+. Not exactly an "easy Chopin piece".

ah, i never said anything about easy. just look at the op.74 songs if you want easy.

[kevonthegreatpianist]

his tarentella is fun. I love the first half of it but imo it loses its fire during the second half of the piece.

Anyways, if wanna talk about chopin's obscure works, I'd pick his allegro de concert. It's actually my favorite work of his. The orchestral parts are awkward and sometimes distasteful, but the piano solo sections are just unbelievably well written. Imo some of Chopin's best work (he agrees too! ;P), and the coda is just wooooooooooow, like fairies flying around your magic wand in some faraway fairy tale land. Honestly wish Chopin wrote more 'happy' pieces.  

his early pieces are fairly happy. check out his rondos.

[pencilart3]

ah, i never said anything about easy

just remember the subject of every post we've made...

[schumaniac]

Ok I've ignored most posts in this topic. Here is my large dump of what I think are easy pieces (skipping the super obscure ones):

- the posthumous Waltz, in A minor
- the Mazurka op. 34 no. 3 in C major
- the POSTHUMOUS nocturne in C minor (just so you don't end up playing op. 48 no. 1 haha)
- the nocturne op. 37 no. 1 (G minor; a little challenging though)
- the nocturne op. 32 no. 1 (B major; a little challenging though)
- the Mazurka op. 7 no. 1 in B-flat major
- the posthumous Polonaise in G minor
- the C# minor nocturne (has some challenges though- polyrhythms and scales)
- the Eb major nocturne (also a little challenging)
- the E minor nocturne (has some complex polyrhythms)
- out of the Preludes: nos. 2 (needs stretches, and hard to memorize) 4, 7, 15, 20
- Etude op. 25 no. 2 (you have to have a decent technique to play this in tempo though)


I agree though that you should pick up some books with more diverse repertoire. I'd recommend Keith Snell's books in levels; each level has a book for Classical, Romantic/20th Century, and Etudes.

[chopinlover01]

- Etude op. 25 no. 2 (you have to have a decent technique to play this in tempo though)

That's quite a step up- from grades 5-6ish to grade 8, bordering on 8+.
If you wish to try an etude, the E flat minor (10/6) is a slow one that wouldn't take too much.
10/3 is also a gorgeous one, but the middle section is rather difficult

[schumaniac]

That's quite a step up- from grades 5-6ish to grade 8, bordering on 8+.
If you wish to try an etude, the E flat minor (10/6) is a slow one that wouldn't take too much.
10/3 is also a gorgeous one, but the middle section is rather difficult

Hmm I'm not sure how the "Grade 1-8" thing works. Here in the U.S., I'm used to the "level 1-10" type thing. In the U.S., I think 25-2 would be up there though, now that I think of it.

10-6 is a nice étude as you say. So is no. 2 in A flat in the "3 nouvelles etudes"

[chopinlover01]

I'm also in the US, I just go by ABRSM standards since that's what the repertoire listed on site is graded by.
But really, the Chopin etudes should wait for this person, and DEFINITELY not be included on an "Easy Chopin Pieces" list.