Scriabin's Etude Op8 No12

[infamousbr]

ive been playing this for a month or so, and just sight reading it through hasn't really gotten much progress, although i def have a feel for the piece now, but i can't seem to get that extra boost that gets me very fluent with the piece...if you've played this before, what's the best way to get through this piece in your opinion? thanks

[Bouter Boogie]

I never played this etude, but I definitely will in the future! It seems like a very difficult piece, but I know people who played it.. Should I ask them how they got through this etude?

[allchopin]

You're right about sight reading through this piece not being very helpful.  I remember about learning this piece that the notes and patterns seemed somewhat random to me.  You have to really bear down and memorize the piece bar by bar if you want to get anywhere.  After you do though, it will feel natural, believe it or not.  Knowing and playing this piece is all about the kinesthetic aspect - you feel everything rather than look.  Lots of fun to play, but keep both hands in their place dynamically (don't let one rampage over the other).

[stevie]

aside for allchopin's advice - especially for pieces like this - make sure you write in fingerings very methodically - its the only way you will memorise it fluently.

[quantum]

Break down the piece harmonically.  Eg: First section play the progression of chords.  Move all notes into your hand span and play them solid, in progression.  Don't worry about RH melody. 

From doing this you should notice that the first section is based almost entirly on a pedal point D#, for the exception of cadences. 

Middle section: First play bass notes only, there is a progression moving in 4ths and 5ths.  Then add the harmony, play solid divided between hands.  Pay attention to the progresstion. 

Now play the LH as written.  The previous harmonic exerciese should help you see what comes next.  Pay attention to the voice leading.  Scriabin was quite careful in the placement of notes with regard to the progression of chords and resolution of dissonances within the LH structure alone. 

In the section near the end with the big LH leaps.  Play the LH and RH octaves alone.  Now play them as single notes in the middle of the keyboard.  Do you recognize the pattern?  This is 4th species counterpoint (a suspension chain) used verry effectively as a way to delay the resolution of the upcomming cadence.   


In places near the beginning where LH has huge jumps with one note in the domain of the RH.  Just play it with the RH, notice it is always the same note as the one that is held in the RH. 

Don't try to sight read this one, you have to memorize it before you can actually play it.  Much of your attention goes to placement of the hands, and in order to do that you shouldn't be looking at the music.  That's the reason for all my analyis above, it should help you memorize components of the piece. 

Just keep at it.  Scriabin is difficult to learn, but very rewarding to play. 

[moose_opus_28]

Yes, finger and analyze it thoroughly.  Hands separately also, of course.  And practice the loud parts softly sometimes.

[infamousbr]

thanks for the replies