Beginner to Intermediate: Chopin pieces with relatively low difficulty. Recommended works by Chopin.
Frédéric Chopin, the great Polish composer known as the Poet of the Piano.
Even if you don’t often listen to classical music, you’ve probably heard Chopin’s name and his music at least once.
Chopin, a leading figure of the early Romantic era, created works that are romantic yet somehow simple and familiar.
This time, we’ve selected relatively easy piano pieces by Chopin that we recommend for beginners to intermediate players.
Among the works introduced, some have high difficulty in their original form but are widely available in arrangements that can be played at an elementary to intermediate level.
If you’re interested in Chopin’s music, be sure to check them out!
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[Beginner–Intermediate] Chopin pieces with relatively low difficulty. Recommended Chopin works (21–30)
Waltz No. 19 in A minor, Op. posthumousFrederic Chopin
Composed in Chopin’s later years and published after his death, the Waltz No.
19 in A minor is relatively approachable among Chopin’s waltzes, which vary widely in difficulty.
Because No.
19 has a calm character, the key is to value the horizontal flow and perform it gently.
In the brighter middle section, switch to a lighter touch to bring out the waltz’s triple-meter dance quality.
Use the pedal skillfully to connect the sounds while taking care to avoid muddiness.
Heroic PolonaiseFrederic Chopin
Among Frederic Chopin’s piano works, the Polonaise No.
6 in A-flat major, Op.
53—affectionately known as the “Heroic Polonaise”—is especially popular.
Its chromatic ascending passages and powerful rhythms make a strong impression.
Most distinctive of all is the succession of octaves in the middle section! Because even professional pianists find this passage difficult to execute perfectly, it’s by no means easy.
A good approach is to first enjoy the character of the piece using an arrangement that omits the octave technique, and then, once your technique has developed, challenge yourself with the original version.
Fantaisie-ImpromptuFrederic Chopin
When asked to name a piano piece by Frédéric Chopin, many people probably think of the Fantaisie-Impromptu.
It’s a classic masterpiece recognizable from its very first phrase.
Known for its passionate, romantic character that shines on stage, it’s also not extremely difficult and is often performed at recitals.
The passages employing polyrhythm—six subdivisions in the left hand against eight in the right—do require a certain level of skill, even if advanced techniques aren’t strictly necessary.
For anyone who plays the piano, the Fantaisie-Impromptu is a cherished work—be sure to give it a listen.
Waltz in C-sharp minor, No. 7, Op. 64-2Frederic Chopin
Waltz No.
7, Op.
64-2, composed in 1847, is one of Frédéric Chopin’s late works.
It is said to be a culmination of his compositional technique, featuring a mazurka—Poland’s national dance—as its main theme.
The piece is also known for being relatively accessible in difficulty and is frequently performed at piano recitals.
By clearly expressing the contrast between passages that quietly convey sorrow and those where emotions overflow with movement, you can achieve a performance that is richly expressive, not merely dark.
Waltz No. 2 in A-flat major, “Grand Waltz”Frederic Chopin
Nicknamed the “Brilliant Grande Valse,” Frédéric Chopin’s Waltz No.
2, Op.
34 No.
1 is a piece many people will recognize, as it’s often performed at concerts and recitals and frequently used in commercials.
Composed by Chopin in 1835, this waltz is striking for its dazzling, lively character.
It’s also highly effective in performance and makes a strong impression, so if you have an opportunity to showcase your piano playing, be sure to give it a try.
Nocturne No. 20 in C-sharp minor, Op. posth.Frederic Chopin
Nocturne No.
20 in C-sharp minor, Op.
posth., is marked by a bittersweet yet beautiful melody characteristic of Frédéric Chopin.
It is said to have been composed around 1830, when Chopin was about twenty, as a piece for his elder sister to practice the Piano Concerto No.
2.
If you’re a film lover, you may also remember it from the acclaimed movie The Pianist, where it features prominently.
Interestingly, this piece is also believed to have been written during the time Chopin harbored unrequited feelings for the soprano Konstancja Gładkowska.
The wave-like, undulating melody that conveys passion and melancholy in love may well reflect the emotions of the young Chopin.
Impromptu No. 1 in A-flat major, Op. 29Frederic Chopin
Frédéric Chopin, known as a leading composer of the Romantic era, was born in Poland in 1810 and, despite his short life—he died at just 39—left behind numerous masterpieces.
This work, composed in 1837, is notable for its flowing triplets.
The bright resonance of A-flat major and the plaintive expression in the F minor middle section are striking.
Technically, attention is required for the wide left-hand passages, but the piece shines with the delicate sensibility so characteristic of Chopin.
It is a captivating work that lets you feel why he was called the Poet of the Piano.