Last time, we introduced an overall difficulty ranking for classical piano pieces. This time, we’ve compiled a difficulty ranking focusing exclusively on Chopin’s works.

Like before, this ranking is based on our own judgment and biases and should not be taken as an absolute reference.

Rather than relying on accuracy, we hope you’ll take a lighthearted look at it, thinking “So there’s a piece like this!”

Previous article: Classic Piano Piece Difficulty Rankings 1–10! (Beginners & Advanced)

[Beginner to Intermediate] Difficulty Ranking 1–10 (Easier at the Top)

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No. 1: Waltz No.19 in A Minor (Posthumous)

Short in length and relatively easy to read, it’s often cited as a beginner-friendly introduction to Chopin.

Its somewhat melancholic, sorrowful melody is quite appealing, letting beginners experience that “Chopin feel” while they practice.

Many simplified scores exist where the left hand is minimized. Focusing on each note with care can give your performance a tasteful depth.

No. 2: Mazurka in F Major, Op.68-3

Mazurkas are based on the Polish folk dance from Chopin’s homeland. Op.68-3 does not have an overly fast tempo, so it’s relatively approachable.

Featuring a bright yet nostalgic melody, you’ll want to pay attention to the unique accent typical of mazurkas. Keeping a light, dancing feel helps bring out the character.

Great as a first mazurka for beginners.

No. 3: Mazurka No.5 in B♭ Major, Op.7-1

Op.7-1 is an early mazurka by Chopin with the gentle warmth of a major key. The rhythm has a distinctive bounce, so playing strictly on the beat can sound dull.

To capture the essence of the Polish dance, make the melody in the right hand sing while the left hand’s accompaniment has a certain swing and elasticity that deepens that “mazurka feel.”

No. 4: Prelude No.7, Op.28-7

Among the Op.28 Preludes by Chopin, this one is short and has a relatively straightforward melodic line.

It has a bright, somewhat “tropical” feel, and using a gentle touch plus careful pedal work can bring out vivid colors. Though brief, it’s packed with Chopin’s harmonic beauty, making it ideal for beginners to develop expressive power.

The wide-range arpeggio at the end may require some creative fingerings or splitting between the hands—watch out for difficulty if your hands are small.

No. 5: Cantabile in B♭ Major

“Cantabile” means “in a singing manner.” This piece allows you to enjoy Chopin’s sense of melody on a single piano.

While not laden with lots of notes and is fairly easy to read, it requires polished legato playing and precise pedaling.

As the title suggests, how beautifully you can make the melody sing is key, so pay attention to fingertip control and dynamic shaping.

No. 6: A Leaf from an Album (Albumblatt) in E Major

Sometimes called “Albumblatt,” this is a short piece left in Chopin’s manuscripts.

Its E-major tonality exudes a crystalline quality; it’s less about technique than about delicate expression. You need to imbue the right-hand melody with feeling while softly supporting it in the left hand.

Its compact length gives beginners a decent sense of accomplishment once learned.

No. 7: Nocturne No.20 in C♯ Minor (Posthumous)

Famously used in various films and dramas, this sad, heart-stirring nocturne might look straightforward in notation but actually demands refined legato technique and ample expressiveness.

Nevertheless, it’s often said to be more approachable than other nocturnes from a technical standpoint. Focus on timely pedal changes to keep the sound from becoming muddy.

No. 8: Waltz No.6 in D♭ Major, Op.64-1 “Minute (Little) Waltz” or “Dog Waltz”

Among Chopin’s waltzes, this is one of the most famous, known for its charming melody.

Though quite short, it includes tricky fast passages in the right hand and light accompaniment in the left hand simultaneously, which can be difficult.

Still, it’s considered among the easier of Chopin’s “full-size” waltzes, and slowing down the tempo a bit allows even beginners to enjoy it.

No. 9: Waltz No.7 in C♯ Minor, Op.64-2

From the same Op.64 set, but this one has a calmer, more melancholy mood.

It has a fairly straightforward structure with many repeats, but dealing with inner voices and chords can be moderately challenging. If played at a slower tempo, you can highlight a nocturne-like depth of emotion.

Once comfortable, you can let the tempo flow naturally and add shading, bringing out a sophisticated mood.

No. 10: Waltz No.1 in E♭ Major, Op.18 “Grand Valse Brillante”

One of Chopin’s early representative waltzes, known for its brilliance. Popular at recitals, but the flashy passages mean lots of notes, requiring some time to grasp the beat and interplay of right and left hands.

Still, it’s a great piece for beginners to intermediates looking to step up. Aim for a beautiful finish to really shine on stage.

[Advanced Players] Difficulty Ranking 1–10 (Harder at the Top)

No. 1: Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante, Op.22

Starting quietly with the Andante spianato, it transitions into a brilliantly unfolding Grande Polonaise—one of Chopin’s large-scale works.

Beyond sheer technique, you need to understand the dramatic structure and show a wide range of expression.

It has flashy passages rivaling Liszt, making it a stamina challenge. Indeed, it’s a masterpiece for advanced Chopin aficionados.

No. 2: Ballade No.4, Op.52

Often considered the most difficult of Chopin’s ballades. It weaves delicate passages with an intense climax, featuring intricate inner voices and shifting tempos—testing one’s overall performance abilities.

Renowned for its strong narrative, it moves listeners deeply but demands substantial time and technique to understand its structure and create a convincing interpretation.

You may notice some shapes reminiscent of Chopin’s etudes, making it more enjoyable if you recognize those patterns while listening or playing.

No. 3: Étude Op.25-12 “Ocean”

Nicknamed “Ocean” for its continuous wave-like arpeggios in both hands.

As you generate a sense of movement, you must also make the melody stand out, requiring stamina and precise fingerwork.

Maintaining dynamic range without losing clarity is tough, delivering constant tension. It’s an etude with an epic scale akin to a large work.

No. 4: Étude Op.25-11 “Winter Wind”

Known by the nickname “Winter Wind,” featuring a striking right-hand run of semichromatic passages at high speed.

There are complex fingerings and leaps of octaves, demanding strong rhythm maintenance and tempo control.

Harmonically dramatic, mixing tension and pathos, so a performer needs strong technique as well as expressive ability.

No. 5: Étude Op.10-12 “Revolutionary”

The “Revolutionary” etude is one of Chopin’s most famous. It’s also included in the VR piano game “Sigure” as a challenge piece for advanced players.

It’s defined by its fierce, repeated left-hand figure against a robust right-hand melody. Maintaining a fast tempo demands high finger independence and endurance.

Though emotional, you can’t rely on just brute force—the key is balancing both hands accurately. It’s a short piece but packs a major dramatic punch.

No. 6: Étude Op.10-4

One of the most challenging pieces among Chopin’s early etudes.

Both hands feature intricate, quickly moving passages that overlap, with crossing motions. Once speed is added, maintaining clarity is extremely demanding.

You’ll need advanced skill to keep each note distinct while still imparting musical expression.

No. 7: Scherzo No.2, Op.31

A popular piece that fuses dramatic contrast with Romantic style. After a short intro, the piece bursts into a fast, driving theme interspersed with a sweet trio section.

Alongside a flurry of detailed passages and chord successions, controlling the agitato mood is tricky. Rich in narrative, so balancing interpretive depth with technical skill is crucial.

No. 8: Polonaise No.6, Op.53 “Heroic Polonaise”

Affectionately called the “Heroic Polonaise,” it’s a grand, dazzling piece among Chopin’s oeuvre.

The middle section’s chain of octaves and big leaps demands hand strength and precision. Moreover, to maintain the characteristic polonaise rhythm while projecting a majestic flair requires advanced technique.

A highlight on any concert stage, it’s a dream piece many aspire to play.

No. 9: Prelude No.15 in D♭ Major, Op.28-15 “Raindrop”

One of the most famous from the Op.28 Preludes.

The left hand repeats raindrop-like single notes continuously, so balancing dynamics carefully is key to avoid monotony.

The middle section shifts into a stormy feel, demanding accurate portrayal of emotional outbursts. It’s for advanced players who can handle both technique and expression at high levels.

※ D♭ major and C♯ minor are closely related. Essential to keep the melody singing against the repeated notes (like raindrops).

No. 10: Fantaisie-Impromptu

Its dreamlike, beautiful melody is widely recognized, so many people have heard it at least once.

The tricky part is how the right and left hands run on different rhythmic patterns simultaneously—this can feel awkward initially.

The sweet middle section demands strict legato and a lot of emotion in your interpretation. It’s a classic example of Chopin’s interwoven brilliance and poignancy.

Summary

That concludes our difficulty ranking for Chopin piano works, with 1–10 for beginners and 1–10 for advanced players.

Following our previous “Classic Piano Piece Difficulty Rankings,” this time we focused on Chopin’s pieces.

We hope you’ll enjoy the rich charm of Chopin’s music and have a wonderful time at the piano!

※ Please note this is purely our subjective guideline, not an accurate or definitive standard. Real difficulty can vary based on personal strengths/weaknesses and different piece arrangements.