Canon in F minor

Frédéric ChopinB.129a

RomanticSpecialistinventionF minor~2 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 4ABRSM 4

About this piece

A rare example of Chopin experimenting with strict counterpoint, likely written during his studies with Elsner. It is distinctive for its academic rigor, contrasting sharply with his famous ornate nocturnes and waltzes.

Teacher notes

Careful attention must be paid to the phrasing of the canonic subject to ensure it sounds cohesive across both voices.

Technical focus

counterpointarticulationfinger-independence

Mood

intellectualcontemplative

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Canon in F minor

Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.

Browse all Henle level 3 pieces (Late beginner) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Canon in F minor (B.129a) by Frédéric Chopin?

Canon in F minor (B.129a) is rated Henle level 3 of 9 — late beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 4–5. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 4.

What level do I need to play Canon in F minor?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 3 — meaning you can already play level 2–3 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.

How long is Canon in F minor?

A typical performance of Canon in F minor (B.129a) lasts about 2 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Canon in F minor?

Canon in F minor (B.129a) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Canon in F minor?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Canon in F minor by Frédéric Chopin, Waltz in D-flat major, No. 1 by Frédéric Chopin, Waltz in A minor by Frédéric Chopin — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.