Getting the revolutionary up to speed

[kaveh]

Hi all,

Quick question-

I've recently started working on the revolutionary etude.  I'm practicing the outline (HT), runs (HS) and arpeggiated patterns in tandem.

I'm doing ok with the runs (170 RH, 150 LH), outline plays comfortably, but I can't seem to get the left hand arpeggios above 130, relaxed and accurate. 

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Any online video clips of a good pianist playing this, so I can analyse the necessary movements?

Thanks,
Kaveh

[llamaman]

Keep your hand movements as small as possible. It helps me. And keep your hand rather loose, that helps my too. They may help me and not you though.

[bearzinthehood]

I'm doing ok with the runs (170 RH, 150 LH), outline plays comfortably, but I can't seem to get the left hand arpeggios above 130, relaxed and accurate. 

By arpeggios do you mean measures 37-40?  If that's what you mean then I would practice those in chords first, concentrating on making the transition as small and fast as possible.  Measure 40 is the hardest one of that section IMO.

I'm not sure if this is what you mean though, because IMHO measures 25-36 are the hardest section of this piece.

If by arpeggios you mean the stuff in measures 10-11 and so on, then I personally used a couple strategies.  One was chords, and the other was alternating rhythms, focusing on total relaxation in the long beats and legato, playing to the bottom of the key, etc.  The solution to these parts really seems to lie in not "reaching" for notes with your fingers, but focusing on moving the center of the hand instead.

Anyways, I hope some of this helps, gl with the piece.

[zheer]

I remember playing this etude when i was 16, i played it badly.All that i can suggest now is that you try and let your hand and arm slide up and down the piano like ice skayting keeping the wrist relaxed.