Chopin nocturnes which are actually playable for me

[squiro]

Ive been working on op 32 no 2 for a while now, and after several months it's just about playable for me, but I don't think I can play it to a satisfactory level for my own standards and I'd really like to learn a new piece which I can actually complete in a decent time frame and play *well*.

I know that all of the nocturnes are difficult, but it's just a personal long term goal for me to learn as many of them as I can.

I've heard conflicting opinions about 15 no 3 and no 21 (c minor posthumous) being the easiest but I could do with some clearer information before I commit to learning something.

I've never done grades but I would guess I'm around ABRSM 5-6 - in that I can learn and play pieces graded around this level in a reasonable timeframe.

[dizzyfingers]

I haven't played Chopin Nocturnes since my young student days, so I have no personal feedback, but there's plenty of difficulty rankings out there - a search away - here's one, based on piano community consensus and pedagogical resources, including Piano Street.

Easiest - These are generally considered the best starting points.
Posthumous Nocturne in C-sharp minor (KK IVa/16): Often cited as the easiest, though it requires musical maturity and handling a rapid 35-note scale at the end.
Nocturne in C minor (Posth. KK IVb/8): Short and straightforward, only 1 page long.
Op. 72, No. 1 in E minor (Posth.): Very accessible, frequently ranked among the easiest.
Op. 37, No. 1 in G minor: Often played, technically straightforward, with a simple chorale section.
Op. 55, No. 1 in F minor: A popular, common starter piece with a consistent pace.
Op. 32, No. 1 in B major: Relatively straightforward, though it requires delicate handling of the ending.

Intermediate-Advanced - These require more control, delicate voicing, and advanced left-hand arpeggiation.
Op. 9, No. 2 in E-flat major: While famous, it requires refined control over tone and fioritura (ornamentation) to play well.
Op. 9, No. 1 in B-flat minor: Introduces long, complex tuplets (22-note tuplet) that are not as scary as they appear, but require poise.
Op. 15, No. 3 in G minor: Requires delicate handling of the chorale at the end.
Op. 55, No. 2 in E-flat major: Requires good control of voicing to shape the melodic lines.
Op. 32, No. 2 in A-flat major: Demands good voicing in chords.

I'm not posting the ones that fall under "Advanced".

Good luck!

[malko_malkovich]

Ive been working on op 32 no 2 for a while now, and after several months it's just about playable for me, but I don't think I can play it to a satisfactory level for my own standards and I'd really like to learn a new piece which I can actually complete in a decent time frame and play *well*.

I know that all of the nocturnes are difficult, but it's just a personal long term goal for me to learn as many of them as I can.

I've heard conflicting opinions about 15 no 3 and no 21 (c minor posthumous) being the easiest but I could do with some clearer information before I commit to learning something.

I've never done grades but I would guess I'm around ABRSM 5-6 - in that I can learn and play pieces graded around this level in a reasonable timeframe.

Dear Squiro,
I happen to be a syllabus nerd, and I compiled for you a list with some gradings for all nocturnes: Henle, ABRSM, RCM, and Piano Library. Here it is:

#	Titolo	HENLE	ABRSM	RCM	PLib
1	Notturno Op. 09 No. 1	6	---	10	3
2	Notturno Op. 09 No. 2	6	---	9	2,5
3	Notturno Op. 09 No. 3	7	---	---	3,5
4	Notturno Op. 15 No. 1	6	---	10	3,5
5	Notturno Op. 15 No. 2	6	---	10	3,5
6	Notturno Op. 15 No. 3	5	---	8	2,5
7	Notturno Op. 27 No. 1	6	---	A	3,5
8	Notturno Op. 27 No. 2	6	---	A	3,5
9	Notturno Op. 32 No. 1	5	---	9	3
10	Notturno Op. 32 No. 2	6	---	10	3,5
11	Notturno Op. 37 No. 1	5	8	9	2,5
12	Notturno Op. 37 No. 2	6	---	A	3,5
13	Notturno Op. 48 No. 1	7	---	A	4
14	Notturno Op. 48 No. 2	6	---	---	3
15	Notturno Op. 55 No. 1	6	---	9	2,5
16	Notturno Op. 55 No. 2	6	---	A	3,5
17	Notturno Op. 62 No. 1	6	---	A	3,5
18	Notturno Op. 62 No. 2	6	D	---	3,5
19	Notturno Op. 72 No. 1	5	---	10	2,5
20	Notturno Op. Posth. B. 49	5	---	9	3
21	Nocturne Op. Posth. B. 108	5	---	---	2,5

Notes.
1. Henle (www.henle.de) uses a system that goes from 1 to 9, divided into three sets: 1-3 easy, 4-6 medium, 7-9 difficult.
2. The ABRSM I gather from syllabi from different years, but there is little Chopin on the graded years, let alone nocturnes. Be as it may, ABRSM grades go from 1-8, and then the diploma levels are here indicated by D (DipABRSM), L (LRSM), and X (FRSM).
3. RCM uses a grade system that goes from 1 to 10, plus 2 diploma levels: A (ARCT) and B (LRCM).
4. PianoLibrary (www.pianolibrary.org) uses a system that goes from 1 to 5 by increments of 0,5.

My suggestion would be the Op. 37 No. 1, which is ABRSM 8 (yours Op. 32 No 2, if listed on ABRSM, would fall on the first Diploma level). Apart from being one of the most beautiful of the series, it appears on all lists for a reason.

Best regards,
Malko.