Chopin op. 10,1 Which handspan is required?

[pianowolfi]

I ask myself this because I try to figure out which is the minimal handspan that is necessary. I try to keep my hand as closed as possible. Have your say

[elevateme_returns]

im not sure there is a specific handspan, just a fairly big hand and good technique

[jabbz]

Hardly any span is required to play this at all, there should be no stretching or snatching, the hand should move from the forearm. The most important thing is a very supple wrist

[pianowolfi]

im not sure there is a specific handspan, just a fairly big hand and good technique

Well a fairly big hand, what is that exactly? My theory is that the span of an octave is enough. I can't prove this, I am still trying and I can reach a tenth white/white, but I guess that there are several people with only an octave span who can play this etude.

Hardly any span is required to play this at all, there should be no stretching or snatching, the hand should move from the forearm. The most important thing is a very supple wrist

Yeah that's what I think too. So far. Any more experiences?

[thalbergmad]

Depends how much you use your left hand really.

Thal

[elevateme_returns]

good point thal, there we go. the minimum is an octave. because the LH is in octaves. RH doesnt matter about span

[counterpoint]

Am I the only one who thinks that size matters in this etude?

It's possible to replace all stretching with arm movements, but at the real tempo, the arm is way too slow to make all these movements. It's like Erlking, but only in horizontal direction.

[jabbz]

I'd disagree, because the 5th finger should propel the entire hand/wrist forward, thus bringing you to the next position. I don't disagree that having big hands would be an advantage (it is, I can span an 10th comfortably), but it's inessential, even at tempo.

[amanfang]

Ian Hobson did a seminar at my school and proposed this alternate fingering which may work:

3 1 2 4 2 1 2 4 2 1 2 4 2

[jakev2.0]

Ian Hobson did a seminar at my school and proposed this alternate fingering which may work:

3 1 2 4 2 1 2 4 2 1 2 4 2

THIS IS FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T PLAY THE ETUDE PROPERLY.

[jlh]

You need an octave.  Even if you can reach a 10th, if you're not using your wrist properly you will run into problems.  The first C you play in the RH should get off that key and your wrist is in motion to get to the next one.  The wrist is actively involved and if not used properly you will most likely injure yourself even if you can get it up to speed.  The notes are too spread out to get the power you need as well as the lightness if you stay in the C area (for instance).

I've seen short girls with small hands play this etude convincingly.

[counterpoint]

I've seen short girls with small hands play this etude convincingly.

Are you aware that even "short" girls can have long fingers?
I would be very interested in a concrete example, where someone with a max. span of an octave played op.10-1 properly in reasonable tempo. I don't believe that this is possible until I see it.

[franzliszt2]

This etude is nothing about hand span. This etude is an etude of pure dexterity and suppleness. The key is the contractions. People focus on the expansion, but really there is none. (At least in the technique I have adopted). I always keep the wrist low, fingers pointing slighty towwards the right FLAT (that is a major issue) and let the thumb follow the hand and come down. This eliminates all isues on hand span, as they all become easy like this.

Has anybody used the fingering 1 3(or2) 5 2 1 3 5 2 .....

Cortot used it. I have practiced it like that a lot, and it is very good, alhough I would never perform it like that, it really shows you the correct movements if you can get the thumb over the 5th finger perfectly legato. It forces the hand to do the correct movements and and if perfectied it can be used in performance.

[counterpoint]

Paradox situation: a dozen people - who have a hand span of a decime or more - tell me, that it would be possible to play as easy with a span of an octave.

I don't have much problems with that etude myself, but I can span a decime (hardly).
And all people I know, who can play this etude have a span of a decime or more.

[pianistimo]

i'm playing it ok with a span of a ninth.  i don't find any troubles yet.  just move with the tide.

[dnephi]

However, your tone is uneven and your tempo is also wavering slightly.

.  Fixing that is the majority of the difficulty.

[elevateme_returns]

what is the aim of the study?

[franzliszt2]

Legato over wide stretches and relaxation of the arm and hand.

[elevateme_returns]

lol everything that im bad at

[dnephi]

Doesn't that make it the perfect etude for you, then?

[elevateme_returns]

i dont know how to relax! i mean in piano

[franzliszt2]

Relaxation in op10no1 is easy if you know what to do. Don't worry elevate, when you come visit me I'll show you the secrets 

[thalbergmad]

what is the aim of the study?

Music.

Czerny wrote Etudes, Chopin wrote masterpieces.

Use what ever methods are required to give the best effect.

I always used to use my left hand and i don't give a monkeys armpit what criticism i get.

Thal

[marco_from_brazil]

my teacher barely reaches an octave and rips this etude to shreds...

i have almost an 11th and have only learned the notes, been studying for a bit over a month. long way to go still.