Ok, i've FINALLY tackled Nocturne no. 2 in Eb by Chopin, but i'm wondering what (roughly) grade it is? My current piano teacher hasn't done ABRSM grades for many years, and when I asked her she replied with '5ish I would have thought.' Butttt, I thought it seems a bit harder than this? Im having a dejavous (Sp) with this post, but I did a search and I haven't posted it before =)

I thought it was about grade 6 standard when I learnt it but others have said it is at least grade 8 standard. I clicked with it straight away really and found it quite straightforward once I had overcome the big jumps.

thanks for your opinion on that! i've looked on other sites and people seem to say grade 7 standard.
yeah I suprised myself with how well I clicked with it. When you get all the chords right it sounds amazing! The piano just rings

Yeah and E flat is such a super key! I love the crescendo before the very end, I just hammer it out, it's wonderful!

Um...as said earlier, it is actually about Grade 8...if not Performers Certficate/DipABRSM

Hmm very skeptical about that I'm afraid. I'm not that standard, but without sounding big-headed, I can do this piece justice!

According to Eleanor Bailie's book "The Pianist's Repertoire CHOPIN : A Graded practical guide" published in 1998 by Kahn & Averill it is Grade 7. The book gives a complete survey of Chopin's piano music, graded lists and suggestions for study and performance (ideal for those doing diplomas)

there you go, I knew i'd asked it before! Although i'd be chuffed if it was that high, i can't help feeling it isn't! I took a huge leap to this piece (had only got grade 5 previously) so yeah. Maybe i'm just doubting it or something. But I did know that when my teacher ummed and ahhed over it being around grade 5 (she even said grade 4 at one point!) something was up
I think I could talk about this piece all day It actually beats moonlight sonata for me. The key is lovely when you're used to it Although it's so hard to play through without one tiny little mistake on a chord or something! Only downside is, that to a non-pianist I think it sounds easier than it really is. You have to be really good to do it justice! I can get through it all note wise, I think I've just gotta put more expression in it now

I think it is Grade 6 AMEB (Australian Music Examination Board). After all, I think this is considered the easiest nocturne out of all of Chopin's nocturnes? (I guess this is a very subjective thing, just like 'which is the hardest Chopin etude'.) Not to say it sounds bad though, because I believe it is also the most recognised of the nocturnes. All that aside, I love this song! I usually play Op. 9 as a whole. If you liked No. 2, there's a good chance you'd love No. 1 and No. 3 as well! Now that you've tackled No. 2, I recommend trying No. 1 (which is Grade 8 AMEB level I believe).

Nocturne in Eb?? Yes, it's a wonderful piece....i reckon it's about grade7~8 level. It's slow, but don't under-estimate it....the cadenza-like demi-semi-quavers are not easy at all...!!

I played it when I was grade 6 standard, I find it one of the easiest along with the E minor one which I also love. They were my introduction to Chopin, the first "proper" pieces I could play in their original format.

With romantic music, it's not just the technical difficulty that's taken into account when grading a piece; it's the difficulty involved in getting to grips with the subtleties of expression - balance of hands, rubato, cantabile, pedalling, etc. In my opinion, all of Chopin's music requires very careful thought about the use of the pedal - "the soul of the piano" in romantic music.

It's a beautiful piece, but I think it's a lot harder to really pull off than it might look.

One of my favourites

Thanks everyone! I guess i'll settle for 'between 6-8' standard
x

Yup I'd have said about grade 6-8 standard too...learnt it when I was about that standard....gorgeous piece!

Very nice, but I prefer the Op. 9 no. 1...

I just have this thing for minor keys

I would have thought that the C# minor post. or the G minor 15/3 (I think) is slightly easier. Anyway, it's kinda been decided but yeah, grade 6-8. The last bit is a nightmare sometimes.

Well things actually vary, depends how well do you want to play it....if you just want to play it as written...then it may be at grade 6 standard...but if you want to play it at a professional standard, you might need to be at least grade 8...

But why would you want to do that??

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to tackle those devilish demi semiquavers? I always get stuck on them! Gah...
As to the standard, it's around Grade 7 standard. I've seen it in a graded repertoire(sp?) somewhere on the net. Then again, I don't have a teacher right now so I can't ask. I stopped piano after taking Grade 3. And now, I'm absolutely loving music!

Start slowly and gradually speed up as you get more familiar with the finger patterns

Practise them staccato, practise them staccato and practise them staccato.
Trust me, this technique really works! Works for everything from this nocturne to fantasie-impromptu to 'winter wind' etude. It has never failed me!

Does work! Also, be consistent with your fingering, then it becomes automatic more quickly.

Haha okay! I'll try that! Thanks alot! The playing with staccato thing is new. Will have to give it a go. Thanks for your help everyone!

Yes, I agree with 6-8 standard. I like the C# mino post. better, though!!! A brilliant piece anway, I really enjoy playing it!

me too - I think it's because of the film, "The Pianist".