Chopin

Chopin - Waltz in D-flat Major ('Minute', Op. 64 No. 1)

The "Minute" Waltz continues to delight audiences and pianists over 175 years since it was composed. The publisher’s title suggested a "small" waltz, not one to be played within one minute. A more interesting story suggests that Chopin was actually inspired by seeing a little dog chase its tail! In any event, the piece endures as a favourite and is highly pianistic. In this video lesson, Fred Karpoff guides you how to play this elegant piece with ease, including the "tail-chasing" figure of the right hand, the lilting waltz rhythms of the left hand and three-dimensional shaping of the running... Read >>

Chopin - Mazurka in A Minor, Op. 68 No. 2

ABRSM Grade 7 - B1

The mazurka is a stylised Polish folk dance in triple meter, usually at a lively tempo, with strong accents on the second or third beat. Chopin wrote over 50 mazurkas and this is an example of a slower one - there needs to be some leeway with the prescribed metronome speed of 116, given the lento marking. Sad and wistful in character, the mood changes when the music moves briefly into C major, requiring a new colour. The middle section in the brighter key of A major requires a flexible approach to the new (faster) tempo. Pedal markings require some... Read >>

Chopin - Fantasie-Impromptu in C-Sharp Minor (Op. 66)

Annotated Study Edition

Chopin’s Fantasie-Impromptu (Op. Post. 66) is one of the most popular works in the piano repertoire and many pianists attempt it before they are ready for the challenges it poses. This collection of resources accompanies our study edition for the work and features detailed annotations, additional video demonstrations and practice... Read >>

Chopin - Waltz in E Minor (Op. Posth.)

Chopin’s brilliant Waltz in E minor is justly popular with pianists entering the advanced level. This From the Ground Up edition helps students to lay a solid musical and technical foundation for learning the piece efficiently and quickly, with particular attention given to using rhythmic practice to solve technical challenges.... Read >>

Chopin - Nocturne in E-flat (Op. 9 No. 2)

Op. 9, no. 2

Frédéric Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Op. 9 No. 2, has long been a favourite of both pianists and audiences with it's richly-ornamented melody, supported by exquisite harmonies in the left hand. This From the Ground Up walk-through provides a detailed guide to learning this piece efficiently and with understanding and... Read >>

Chopin - Mazurka in G minor (Op. 67 No. 2)

ABRSM Grade 6 – B1

The mazurka is based on the Polish folk dance that originated in Mazovia, near Warsaw. Chopin wrote more than 50 mazurkas and listening to a variety of them will help develop a sense of the characteristic style. This example, in G minor, was written in the last year of Chopin’s life (1849). Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022, Grade 6 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. Click here to view open domain editions for these works (external link).... Read >>

Chopin - Fantasie-Impromptu in C-Sharp Minor (Op. 66)

Walkthrough

A series of detailed video demonstrations on solving the various challenges posed by Chopin's Fantasie-Impromptu, with a special focus on the three-against-four polyrhythm.... Read >>

Chopin - Prelude in B Minor (Op. 28 No. 6)

Chopin’s dark, somber Prélude in B minor is much more difficult to play than it looks. The pedalling requires a lot of thought as Chopin gives us only three pedal markings, in those places where he wants special pedal effects that provide generous resonance. In other places, we must therefore be careful to pedal more sparingly and discreetly. The melodic interest is in the long LH rising and falling phrases, yet we clearly hear the tolling of bells in the RH repeated notes. There are some beautiful - and surprising - harmonic moments that you’ll need to savour in order... Read >>

Chopin - Nocturne in C-sharp Minor (Op. Posth.)

Chopin wrote the Nocturne in C-sharp minor, op. posth. in 1830, but it was only published in 1870. He dedicated the work to his sister, Ludwika “as an exercise before beginning the study of my second Concerto". This series of articles provides a comprehensive walkthrough and detailed practice worksheets for... Read >>