Chopin etude op. 10 no. 2

[etudefan]

Anyone have any tips on practice Chopin Etude op 10. no. 2?   I have hard time gettin through it.   It wears me out!

Any helpful practice tips will be grateful.

[Colette]

the most important thing not to do when practicing this etude is to be tense. it will undoubtedly bring tendonitis if you practice it the wrong way hour after hour. I think the best way to go about tackling this etude is to absolutely master the right hand fingering first---without the left hand, and importantly, without the chords aiding the right hand flow. if you learn the chromatic scale with out the supporting chords in the rh, your ears and fingers are more easily trained to understand the continuity of the legato passages throughout. the chords can be incorporated later and be played as simpy supporting, background material to the chromatic scale. when playing the chords, don't pound them out but almost pretent that the aren't there, that they are just a natural part of the chromatic scheme.
the left hand, of course, is a strict contrast to the right as it is to be played staccato---aim for a very light touch, fluid elbows, and a sound that goes up with gravity, not down with it.
once you put the r and l hands together, play very very slowly, and in small sections. when u master a small section at a slow tempo, you can gradually increase your speed always keeping in mind the lightness of your touch (whether u play legato or staccato) and the relaxation of your body.
good luck! it's a fun piece if know how not to freak out in the process!

[ned]

Colette knows what she is talking about.  You might also want to read a lengthy discussion of Chopin op 10 no 2 on page 3 of this category (just scroll down.) Started by Anne_W, it has comments from Robert Henry, who is pretty well known as a concert pianist, and always has useful info.
Ned.

[JTownley]

And whatever you do, don't listen to Louis Lortie's recording of it until you can play it as fast as he can. I made that mistake and ended up in bed for a month w/ a bout of severe depression!!
http://www.JoeTownley.com     Lots of piano videos!

[10Fingers]

Mentioning Lortie, he played all 24 etudes at a cocert without one wrong note! Yes! It's true!  

[A-flat-minor]

good method is to practise one hand only (in this case, right hand) and to practise with out the intervals but only the chromatic scale (with your fourth and fifth finger that is)
it really helps! now I feel much better with this wordly renowned hard piece.