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Hi
I wonder how long before an adult beginner could play some simple Chopin pieces? Assumming a person taking 1/2 hr lesson per week and progress steady on Alfred books?
Thanks for your input

The easiest chopin pieces are few mazurkas and preludes, grade 4.

Most normal pianists would need 2-4 years to come to this level:)

How long are playing? Can you name few pieces?

If u wish i can give you number and opus for those pieces:)

Thanks GreenRain:
I just started 2nd book of Alfred adult beginner!
I still got a long way to go.......
Thanks for your help.

I dont know this book:(
Are you working on grade program?

Anyway, the easiest prelude is 7th:) (from opus 28)

Just wait and practice and you will see that this way is actually not so long as you think

4th prelude (E minor) can be played by early beginner, there is only two measures there that may present any difficulty; the rest is pretty simple. You can get the notes right pretty quickly.
The question, of course, is, can you play it musically, not just getting the notes right, but getting the subtle tonal coloration that Chopin pieces so rightly deserve?

BTW, the topic has been discussed at length; do a search for "easy Chopin"; I am sure you'll get plenty of hints that way.

Thanks Yuri:
I love Chopin so much that if I can play 1 piece of his music right I'll be happy.
Thanks again

Ah, I am pretty sure you'll be playing some Chopin in no time. Take a look for example here (op.28 no.4):
http://www.musopen.com/sheetmusic.php?type=sheet&id=82
(public domain score)
BTW, is it San Jose, California?

(which B&Ws go with you Krell amp? )

No. 4 is early intermidiate level.

There should be a few easy arrangements of Chopin pieces in books. You may not be playing the original Chopin but they might give you some satisfaction until you have progressed enough to play the originals. For example one might be listed as 'I'm Always Chasing Rainbows'.

You might ask your teacher or a someone in a music store. Maybe someone here might come up with a specific book for you.

BWKRELL,

You have good taste in wanting to play "Chopin"!

I have 2 thoughts to share with you:
1) I would encourage you to wait until you have the experience to approach Chopin's music with the musical capacity that Chopin requires.

His music is not compatible with being in a method book it is the entry to performance level in difficulty.

Chopin is Chopin and deserves to be studied and honored at the level that his original compositions are written in.

Can I suggest you listen to lots of Chopin, and other composers you enjoy, emphasizing that the pianists are professionals and not amateurs on YouTube. There is a tremendous difference when Chopin's music is played at it's complete best.

Also, reading about Chopin will supply lots of background and there are many books out there in print.

The Chopin topic here on Piano World Forum is full of discussions to appreciate.

2) Adaptations and arrangments and themes of classical music simplified into easy keys are available and I will list a few for you and your teacher to consider. I have used these materials in my teaching from time to time, but I prefer to enter classic teaching with original compositions as written by the composers.

A) ALFRED PUBLISHERS
Classic Themes (Alfred's Famous & Fun Piano Series - Carol Matz, Arranger) (Symphonic, Opera and Piano works)(Books 1-3 for Early Elemtary to Late Elementary)

B) HAL LEONARD
Classical Themes (Hal Leonards Student Piano Library - Fred Kern, Pillip Keveren, Mona Rejino, Arrangers) (Favorite orchestral works arranged for piano solo) (Levels 1 to 5). Accompaniments availbe on CD)

C) ALFRED
C1) Simply Classic,Book 1, Margaret Goldston, Arranger
Elementary Students of All Ages (1B level in Alfred)

C2) 42 Famous Classics arranged for easy piano, Allan Small, Arranger Grade 1-2.

What other composers do you like? And, do you like symphonies - orchestra - opera - ballet?

D) SCHAUM PUBLICATIONS

D1) Easy Master Themes - Wesley Schaum, Arranger
Orchestral, opera, ballet oriented, but not piano literature oriented.
Supplements all piano methods - Primer to Level 4

D2) Classic Themes - Wesley Schaum Arranger
Orchestral, opera, ballet oriented, but not piano literature oriented.

There are probably more available from the website of these publishers above, plus one would want to check the KJOS publishing company website, or go to "SHEETMUSICPLUS" on the right side of this page and do a search.

Good luck!

Betty

Hi Yuri:
You got me. I am a stereophiles nuts. I am no longer run the Krell amp. I am now on Parasound monoblocks JC1, design by John Curl right in your beautiful town of SF. Yes I am in SJ, CA.
My B&W is the 803 Signature. AudioQuest interconnect and speaker cables. Well I need to stop or I will go on and on. Seem like you know these stuff well.
Anyway, That what I use to listen to my Chopin nocturnes...and I always listen to them in the dark of my listening room with only some glowing light of the stereo system.
What do you run? BAT tube?

Hi Betty:
Thank you so much for your post. If you ever come to SJ, CA please come and play a few pieces of Chopin on my piano for me. You are welcome. I wish to listened to its singing the Chopin's. If it waits for me to play....it might be along time to go...but I know I will.
Thanks again.

Actually, BWKRELL, there was a time when you would have found me in San Jose! Three of our five children were born there, and my husband grew up in Santa Clara. We still have a few relatives in the area.

You will play Chopin if you will continue to make progress each day and keep your goals in sight.

Are you near any of the colleges or universities in the area - you might try catching some of their recitals and concerts for the enjoyment of it. San Jose State, University of Santa Clara, community colleges?

Where else in the community might you hear Chopin played live?

Thanks for the invite! It's fun to think that I might someday meet you and others on the piano world forums.

Betty

Thanks Betty.
Anytime! I am glad you're familiar with SJ.
Yes I will check out SJSU, Santa Clara U and Stanford Univ. for their recitals.
Thanks for all your advise again.