"starter" etude

[sweetsinger729]

i'm new to this forum, and this is my first post.

i am beginning to prepare for an audition that requires the performance of a chopin etude, which i have never attempted before. any suggestions as to a good one to start with?

[pooguy77]

No. 2 from the second set in f minor is always a good choice to start out with. Also the 3 etudes outside the main 2 sets are also good, and could be a good choice for an audition because not many people will be playing one of those three etudes.

[sweetsinger729]

Also the 3 etudes outside the main 2 sets are also good, and could be a good choice for an audition because not many people will be playing one of those three etudes.

 my teacher suggested the one of the trois novella etudes, but the etude has to be from op. 10 or op. 25.

she also suggested either the black key etude or the aeolian harp. im leaning towards the aeolian harp. it's beautiful, and the technique is consistent throughout.

[Skeptopotamus]

Op. 10 Nos. 3 or 6
Op. 25 Nos. 1 or 5

[donjuan]

she also suggested either the black key etude or the aeolian harp. im leaning towards the aeolian harp. it's beautiful, and the technique is consistent throughout.

These are both good, but are somewhat overplayed.  If you audition a piece that everyone else plays, (and some of them play much better than you) you need to be innovative for it to actually mean anything to the adjudicators.

However, Aeolian harp is sooo beautiful you just cant go wrong with learning it anyway.

You could look at Etude Op. 10 No. 3 - charming melody line and a good chance to show off your phrasing skills.

[steinwayguy]

25/2 is THE starting Chopin etude. It presents the most basic, and most critical coordination needed.

[vaiva]

You could look at Etude Op. 10 No. 3 - charming melody line and a good chance to show off your phrasing skills.

usually, if there are requested in audition or competition to perform the etude of Chopin-the no.3 is an exception, cause it is not like an etude. to play etude it means to show your technical abilities. no doubt it would be bad decision.
For the beginer I suggest op.25 no.1 As-dur

good luck

[anda]

op. 25 no. 2 would be the main choice for a 1st chopin etude.

also, have a look at op. 10 no. 5 (black key) or op. 25 no. 9

best luck

[pseudopianist]

Op. 10 Nos. 3 or 6
Op. 25 Nos. 1 or 5

I wouldn't say this is one of the simpler etudes, probaly ranks in the middle. It requies some annyoing streches, broken chords, very light touch and those arpeggios in the middle can get quite tricky sometimes.

[sweetsinger729]

These are both good, but are somewhat overplayed.  If you audition a piece that everyone else plays, (and some of them play much better than you) you need to be innovative for it to actually mean anything to the adjudicators.

i'm honestly not worried about doing something "overplayed" because there are only a few other pianists participating in the audition. im just going to hope that no one else picks the same piece as i do. heh.

thanks to everyone for your input! i've decided on the aeolian harp, so wish me luck on my first etude 

[pianote]

op.10 #6

not too difficult

[steinwayguy]

op.10 #6

not too difficult

It doesn't help you do anything though. Play legato, that can be said for a lot of the Chopin Etudes.

and SweetSinger, I strongly advise you to do 25/2 in addition to 25/1 if at all possible. If you're really anal about, it will help you a TON.

[brokenagraffe]

revolutionary or ocean (10/12 or 25/12)

i myself started with the rev.