The Easiest Chopin Pieces, In Order
Every pianist wants Chopin; most start with the wrong piece. There is no truly beginner Chopin — but there is a realistic on-ramp, and it starts around Henle level 3.
The on-ramp, easiest first
- Prelude in A major, Op. 28 No. 7 (level 2–3): sixteen bars, pure elegance — the gentlest true Chopin.
- Prelude in E minor, Op. 28 No. 4 (level 3): slow, devastating, and technically merciful.
- Waltz in A minor, B. 150 (level 3–4): the classic "first real Chopin" — posthumous, and perfect for it.
- Prelude in B minor, Op. 28 No. 6 (level 3–4): melody in the left hand; wonderful voicing practice.
- Mazurka in A minor, Op. 67 No. 4 (level 4): your first taste of Chopin's dance rhythms.
- Waltz in B minor, Op. 69 No. 2 (level 4–5): fuller textures, still forgiving tempos.
- Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2 (level 5): the famous one — earn it here, not first.
The full list, including every prelude and waltz with its level, lives on the Chopin composer page.
What makes Chopin feel harder than the level says
Rubato and voicing. Chopin's notes are often playable long before the music is convincing — the melody must float free of the accompaniment, and the tempo must breathe without collapsing. Budget half your practice for sound, not notes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest Chopin piece?
The Prelude in A major, Op. 28 No. 7 — around Henle level 2–3. Sixteen bars long, slow, and genuinely beautiful.
Is Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 good first Chopin?
It's a common choice but not the easiest — Henle level 5. The A minor Waltz (B. 150) or E minor Prelude make gentler first Chopin, one to two levels earlier.
How hard is Fantaisie-Impromptu?
Henle level 7 — late advanced, with relentless four-against-three polyrhythm. It's several levels beyond first-Chopin territory.
Every Chopin piece ranked by difficulty: see the Chopin page →