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I am not sure why but I have never played a Chopin piece, I have most of his pieces in my collection. I dont know which piece to play first, I don't have a favorite because I want to play EVERYTHING I am looking for recommendations, tell me which piece you would start with and why. Let's not worry about difficulty, I will judge that when I see it.

The very first piece I learned from Chopin was his Prelude in E Minor (I think it is Op 28 # 4). It is easy because the left hand just plays a repetitive set of chords for 80% of the piece, and only a few measures where you have to change the chord by 2 note in an ascending or descending pattern. The hardest measure is about 3 or 4 measures before the last one where you have the right hand jumping to an octave note and timing it in such a way that it comes together w the Left hand.

hope this helps!

One should always start at the shallow end, with his easiest piece, Op.58. It's also his most varied in mood, full of rumination as well as fire.

It also happens to be the longest work for solo piano Freddy ever wrote, but one shouldn't let trifles like that bother us .

Op 58, by grading standards, is rated grades 10-12... far from the easiest Chopin
There are several preludes in op 28 which would make a good ‘first Chopin’ but I have found the nocturnes to be the most satisfying for me to learn. Op 9 1 and 2, 72 no 1, 55 no 1 and 30 in C sharp minor post are all accessible. They will take a little longer to learn than the preludes, which are generally 1-2 pages.

Listen to the preludes, nocturnes and waltzes and see what captures your heart. I have always found that what I love to play is always easier to learn than something else as the end result is satisfying

I would suggest, since you have a collection of "most of his pieces," that you read through the ones that look less challenging to start with,give them a try, and find what suits you. I think you will find that more satisfying than going on the recommendations of others. We don't know exactly what you might like.

While Chopin is Chopin is Chopin, there are varying techniques required in the different genres: left hand jumps in the Waltzes, broken and solid chord accompaniments in the Nocturnes, a variety of textures in the Preludes, right-hand fioritura in many of the Nocturnes, rhythmic patterns in the early Polonaises and the Mazurkas.

There is, as I say, a great variety even in a consistent style; choose what best suits you.

Regards,

Prelude in E minor is beautiful but I would like more of a challange. I think I was more interested to see what other peoples favorites are and why. I just cant devide on a favorite. I dont care about difficulty, I play at a high advanced level. Dont base replies on difficulty, it may be my first Chopin but not my first time at the piano:). Have fun with the replies, the more interesting the piece, the more intriguing it will be to me.

I rather like the Mazurkas. Op 67 no 2 and 4 are inventive, pleasant to play - no 4 is slightly preferable because of the key change which is something Chopin does so nicely. Neither are difficult, but both I find rewarding - kind of Chopin in miniature Actually, I tend to play through a number of Mazurkas one after the other, (great fun, op7 no1, for example) so as far as I was concerned to start off with I just picked up the book and played through those that I could manage.
However, Waltz Op 18 is probably the piece I like to play most. To me there are a number of different moods which makes it so enjoyable all the way through - the contrasts with the overall 'vivo' expression marking, the dolce section at bar 165 (in my edition) and the con anima section(s) (first at bar 116/117). I have to admit, though, that I first heard it in the ballet music 'Les Sylphides,' and it was kind of 'infectious.'

Berceuse
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QO9VYfDrcqM

Barcarolle
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=crLaBkFzXHo

Nocturne 48 1
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c94nySKKoWE


Why? Because I personally love them .Personally, I would not choose them for my first Chopin..., but that is for you to decide on how much you want to bite off.

Slightly more of a challenge, but similar, might be prelude no. 20, the funeral march. Try playing it and really bring the melody out,not as easy as you might think.

Well if difficulty and challenge are not an issue, i love his barcarolle opus 60 or the ballade 2. Both are very lyrical and dreamy/slightly melancholic. Of all his other pieces i personally prefer the nocturnes or the mazurkas. For example the quite famous opus 27 #1 or 2 on the more darker side of Chopin. The mazurkas are wonderful and more representatives of his polish culture. The choice is difficult !

Was that a joke?

Obviously!

Regards,

Well of course it should have been but it didn't look it.

BTW, did you notice that you raced past me on the post count?

I recommend starting with the Mazurkas. They are very characteristic, and cover all levels of his technique.

Originally, I was going to suggest Op.52, but it's far too short, with its wispy little coda, to pose much of a challenge for anyone, let alone the OP.

C Sharp Minor Nocturne, No 20.

Can pour infinite emotion into this piece, and even if you play it lazily and rubato it a bit it'll still sound beautiful, sad and eery all at the same time. Also some nice parts technically.

Awesome!! Thank you everyone! Really helped me to narrow it down. The Waltz op18 is a fun piece with technical challenges that I would benefit from but the Prelude op28 no20 has a slower tempo, hard choice between the 2 but I am going with the Prelude op28 because it has a slower tempo which will be a relaxing addition to the fast tempo pieces I am working on right now, I will enjoy bringing out the melody notes and the chords are so soul striking I made my decision without looking at the pieces because If I like my first impression to be the love of the sound.

Quite frankly, the Opus 28 No. 20 is short and fairly easy - Grade 3 at best. I'd suggest that you still consider some of the shorter pieces mentioned above for a more rounded exposure to the works of Chopin.

There is nothing wrong with starting with a piece that is easier, especially if you like it.

Yes, easy pieces are enjoyable too I am really loving the chords!