Waltz in A minor

Frédéric ChopinB. 150

RomanticFamouswaltzA minorTempo di Valse3/4~2.5 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 7ABRSM 6

About this piece

This posthumous waltz is characterized by its bittersweet lyrical melody and simple but effective harmonic structure. It is distinguished by its intimate, sighing quality that captures the essence of Chopin's salon style.

Teacher notes

Achieving a smooth, flowing waltz feel while maintaining expressive rubato in the melodic line is the primary technical hurdle.

Technical focus

waltz-rhythmrubatocantabileleft-hand-independence

Mood

melancholicelegantnostalgic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Waltz in A minor

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

Browse all Henle level 4 pieces (Intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Waltz in A minor (B. 150) by Frédéric Chopin?

Waltz in A minor (B. 150) is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 7.

What level do I need to play Waltz in A minor?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 4 — meaning you can already play level 3–4 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 Waltz in A minor?

A typical performance of Waltz in A minor (B. 150) lasts about 2.5 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Waltz in A minor?

Waltz in A minor (B. 150) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Waltz in A minor?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Waltz in C-sharp minor, No. 2 by Frédéric Chopin, Prelude in E minor, No. 4 by Frédéric Chopin, Allegretto and Mazurka by Frédéric Chopin — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.