Music Theory

Learning Chopin: Best Songs to Play Right Now

Musicnotes

• 4 min read
Chopin Music

Frédéric François Chopin may be the most beloved composer of piano music in the Western canon. His music is performed around the world at concerts, recitals, weddings, funerals, and just about every occasion you can imagine. Playing a Chopin piece can even help you relax after a stressful day. While many of his pieces are very difficult and present challenges to the most advanced pianists, there is something for everyone who would like to play Chopin, regardless of skill level.

Who Was Chopin?

Chopin was born in a town outside of Warsaw, Poland in 1810 to a French émigré father and a mother of the minor Polish aristocracy. His Polish birth name was Fryderyk Franciszek Szopen, which you will sometimes still find printed on scores of his music. His family was artistic and creative and encouraged his early interest in piano playing.

By age seven he was composing his own pieces and at eight he was performing in public concerts. At age 16 he enrolled in the Warsaw Conservatory of Music to further his studies. Chopin developed a delicate technique of playing that enabled him to play rapid passages very quickly and lightly. This was quite a revelation at the time and soon he was composing pieces that made those demands of other pianists as well.

In 1830 Chopin traveled to Vienna with plans to visit Italy and other countries when Poland revolted against Russia. The ensuing war made it impossible for him to return home. Fortunately for lovers of his music, he found his way to Paris where he met and was influenced by other composers, such as Franz Liszt, Felix Mendelssohn, and Hector Berlioz.

Although he made Paris his home base until he died in 1849, he remained a Polish patriot at heart. He composed countless piano works inspired by the folk songs of his native land. His Polonaises, Mazurkas, and other Polish songs form the largest part of his oeuvre.

What Chopin Piano Pieces Should I Play?

The answer to this question depends upon your skill level. If you are just learning how to play Chopin, it’s best to start with easy arrangements of his compositions. Pianists at an intermediate level can tackle some of the preludes and nocturnes. More advanced pianists might be interested in the études or polonaises. The good news is that Chopin composed so many piano pieces that you will not run out of beautiful music to practice.

Learning to play Chopin well requires diligent study and effort. You must work on your scales and arpeggios as Chopin uses both extensively. Lots of slow practice with the hands separately is the way to begin. Pay close attention to your fingerings and make sure you always use the correct ones to develop your facility in the fast passages.

Most importantly, to play Chopin well means to develop a light, delicate touch that still delivers a full tone. Chopin was an excellent piano teacher and taught his students that the hands should always be flexible and approach the keyboard gently. Learning more about Chopin’s playing style is a great way to build your technique.

What Are Pieces for Early Pianists?

Chopin did not compose music for beginning pianists, so it’s best to start with some easier arrangements of his music. There are several beautiful arrangements of his most famous pieces that you can try, such as:

Each piece is an excellent introduction to Chopin’s piano music. They will give you an opportunity to master the correct style before plunging into more technically difficult work.

What Can An Intermediate Pianist Play?

There are many pieces appropriate for the advancing pianist. As Chopin was a teacher himself, he composed works that allowed his students to progress naturally to greater levels of difficulty.

If you’re ready to learn intermediate-level works, take a look at the following:

Several preludes are excellent pedagogical material for this level. Chopin composed a collection of short pieces titled 24 Preludes, Op. 28 that cycles through all the major and minor keys. Intermediate pianists can work on the Prelude in A Major, Prelude in C Minor, Prelude in E Minor, and Prelude B Minor.

What Should An Experienced Pianist Play?

If you have been playing for several years and have healthy practice habits well established, you might be ready to learn some of the most difficult Chopin piano pieces. These are the concert pieces; the repertoire you hear on recitals and playlists or CDs.

Even in this category, there are easier works you can start with. For a lighter challenge, tackle the Polonaise in F sharp Minor, Op. 44 or the Nocturne in C Minor, Op. 48, No. 1. The Prelude No. 3 in G Major is a nice workout for the left hand while Prelude No. 10 in C Sharp Minor will keep your right hand busy.

The truly virtuosic Chopin piano pieces include:

Chopin composed two piano concertos as well. These pieces are good choices for competitions. Have another pianist play the orchestra part on a second piano with you for rehearsal purposes.

Are There Benefits to Playing Chopin?

Learning the piano music of Chopin will improve your technique for all types of repertoire. If you practice correctly and master a few of his pieces, you will acquire a deftness of touch that will serve you well in the music of Bach, Mozart, and many other great composers. You can also learn a great deal about phrasing and how to execute a musical line.

Of course, the most important reason to play Chopin is to bring joy to your life. His gorgeous, emotional melodies and sweeping, panoramic passagework are satisfying and rewarding to play. Peace of mind may just be a nocturne or two away, so choose a piece today and get started.

Sources:

  • https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frederic-Chopin
  • https://www.classical-music.com/composers/chopins-legacy-the-enduring-appeal-of-the-remarkable-composer/
  • https://spot.colorado.edu/~korevaar/Chopin%20talk.htm

Published on January 13, 2023