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!
- Piano Masterpieces: Surprisingly Easy Despite Sounding Difficult!? A Curated Selection Perfect for Recitals
- [Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals Too]
- [For Elementary School Students] Brilliant, Showy Masterpieces That Sound Impressive at Piano Recitals
- [For Adults] Recommended for Piano Recitals! A Curated Selection of Impressively Sounding Masterpieces
- [For Piano Recitals] Simple yet Cool Classical Pieces
- [Beginner] Recommended Piano Pieces to Play at a Recital
- Lower difficulty: Not as hard as it sounds!? Debussy’s piano pieces
- [Beginner-friendly] Easy Mozart piano pieces. Recommended Mozart works.
- [For Intermediate Players] Challenge Yourself! Recommended Masterpieces That Shine at Piano Recitals
- Beethoven: A selection of gem-like masterpieces that are easy to play on the piano
- [Beginner-friendly] Play right away! A comprehensive introduction to Schumann’s piano works
- [Classical Music] All pieces under 3 minutes! A collection of short and cool piano pieces
- [Low Difficulty] Recommended Tchaikovsky Piano Pieces [Intermediate]
[Beginner–Intermediate] Chopin pieces with relatively low difficulty. Recommended Chopin works (41–50)
Nocturne No. 9 in B major, Op. 32 No. 1Frederic Chopin
Composed by Chopin in 1837 and dedicated, together with No.
10, to Baroness Camille de Billing, this piece may not be heard often, but it is a dreamlike, romantically atmospheric nocturne of great beauty.
It doesn’t merely flow gently; the middle section introduces an unsettling mood, and just when it seems to swell, it suddenly subsides—making it an ideal work for practicing a wide range of dynamic and expressive contrasts.
If you’d like to explore Chopin’s nocturnes beyond the standard repertoire, be sure to give this one a try.
Waltz No. 10 in B minorFrederic Chopin
This piano piece, the Waltz No.
10 in B minor, is notable for its strikingly wistful opening melody and was published in 1829 by the Polish pianist Frédéric Chopin.
It carries a Slavic melancholy, and in the mazurka-like middle section, major and minor keys alternate.
While not especially difficult technically, it’s a captivating work whose musical maturity reveals itself the longer one plays it.
It is a romantic piece, but the key to performance is to avoid becoming overly sentimental and not make it excessively sweet.
Album Leaf in E majorFrederic Chopin
Frédéric Chopin, the piano poet born in Poland.
Composed in 1843, this piece was discovered after his death and first published in 1910.
Though only 1 minute and 11 seconds long, it is a beautiful miniature that shines with Chopin’s characteristic delicate melody and harmony.
In the key of E major and set at a calm tempo, it distills the emotionally rich expression typical of the Romantic era.
While not especially demanding technically, it allows for profound exploration of emotional nuance.
It is an ideal piece for those who wish to experience Chopin’s world and enjoy a performance filled with lyricism.
Piano Sonata No. 2, Third MovementFrederic Chopin
No.
2 is one of the three sonatas Chopin left behind.
Among its movements, the third—also known as the “Funeral March”—is particularly famous.
In Japan, it became widely known after being used as the game-over music in a popular arcade game in the 1980s.
With its eerie, haunting melody layered over a growling left-hand accompaniment, the piece is both unsettling and unforgettable.
When you play it, try to convey the weight of your whole arm into the keys and aim for a deep, resonant sound.
Nocturne No. 6 in G minor, Op. 15 No. 3Frederic Chopin
The third piece of Chopin’s second set of Nocturnes, Nocturne No.
6 in G minor, Op.
15 No.
3, features an unusual structure, modulating from G minor to C-sharp major, and then to G major.
Although it’s quite minor within Chopin’s oeuvre and thus not often heard, its difficulty level is relatively approachable, making it perfect for those tackling a Nocturne for the first time.
It’s also recommended for anyone who wants to perform a Chopin piece at a recital that others are unlikely to choose.
Waltz No. 18 in E-flat major, Op. posth. “Sostenuto”Frederic Chopin
Discovered in a British private collection and published in 1952—more than a hundred years after Frédéric Chopin’s death—Waltz No.
18 in E-flat major, Op.
posth.
Also known by the title “Sostenuto,” this piece is approachable because it contains no major changes or passages requiring advanced technique; at the same time, its very simplicity makes it a work that tests one’s expressiveness.
Incidentally, among Chopin’s waltzes, the highly popular “Grande valse brillante” is Op.
18.
In terms of numbering, it is not No.
18 but “No.
1,” so please be careful not to confuse them!
Polonaise No. 11 in G minor (Posthumous)Frederic Chopin
Composed by the Polish-born Romantic master Frédéric Chopin at the age of seven, this piece is truly remarkable.
Its approachable melody and structure—despite its brevity—convey a rich sense of pianistic expression.
There are few technically difficult passages, and with a careful touch that evens out each note, it can become a captivating performance.
You can’t help but think, “Chopin, who wrote something like this when he was so much younger than I am now, really was a genius!” It’s also a highly recommended piece for those who have just begun learning the piano.