How to develop my left hand?

[perfectpitch]

I am a level 7-8 player but need some help to develop my left hand.

Which studies/etudes would you advise to help me?

Any general advice to improve my left hand technique would also be appreciated.

Thanks

[henrah]

Chopin 10/12? That's mainly LH, and helps with precision. 10/4 you could use as the LH plays similar things to the RH and you can use the RH to 'teach' the LH, it works quite well. Also 25/12 will help as the LH will have to be even with the RH, and is basically the same so you can use it to teach it also. Although slight differences, same basic structure.
Henrah

[steve jones]

I think the Godowsky Chopin Etudes are the ultimate in LH training. I gather they are pretty hardcore though, so handle with care!

Maybe some Bach might help?

[alzado]

I am naturally left-handed.  I believe this gives me quite a head start with developing a very good left hand.

For one thing, I can play left-hand octaves very quickly and accurately. 

Naturally, for someone like myself, right hand can be quite a struggle sometimes.

For one thing, I play left-hand trills very smoothly and well, but struggle with right-hand trills.  I expect this would be reversed for persons who are naturally right-handed.

[steve jones]

I am naturally left-handed.  I believe this gives me quite a head start with developing a very good left hand.

For one thing, I can play left-hand octaves very quickly and accurately. 

Naturally, for someone like myself, right hand can be quite a struggle sometimes.

For one thing, I play left-hand trills very smoothly and well, but struggle with right-hand trills.  I expect this would be reversed for persons who are naturally right-handed.

Its funny really, because I am a bit of both. My scales and arps are better with the RH, but my LH is much stronger and more flexible. Iv had to work the RH much more to get it up to speed, so to speak.

Now I need to give the LH some attention. Lol, its getting to be a full time job this piano lark!

[g.gould]

What about Liszt Mazeppa etude?
It's the most hard Transcendental etude of liszt and it's great for LH...





Here is Berezovsky plays the Liszt Mazeppa:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=9XTpwihpddI&search=mazeppa

[zheer]

What about Liszt Mazeppa etude?
It's the most hard Transcendental etude of liszt and it's great for LH...





Here is Berezovsky plays the Liszt Mazeppa:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=9XTpwihpddI&search=mazeppa

           WAW

[hiline]

What about Liszt Mazeppa etude?
It's the most hard Transcendental etude of liszt and it's great for LH...





Here is Berezovsky plays the Liszt Mazeppa:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=9XTpwihpddI&search=mazeppa

Incredibly hard , as I can see.

[bearzinthehood]

OP states he's level 7-8 and you are saying Mazeppa, Chopin/Godowsky?  what?

Chopin Op. 10/12 even would be very challenging.

[turner]

Actually, Transcendental Etude No. 10 in F Minor by Liszt also drills the left hand quite relentlessly.

All the ones mentioned here so far are quite advanced.  But there are many pieces a notch or so below that are great for the left hand.  You just need to be on the look-out for them.  One piece that comes to mind is Chopin's 1st Impromptu in A-Flat.  It's in A-B-A form, and the A part is wonderful for rotational technique of the left-hand.  Also consider Chopin's G Major Prelude, Op. 28, No. 3--great runs for the left hand from start to finish.

A friend of mine is working on Beethoven's B-Flat Sonata Op. 22.  The middle section of the 3rd movement, a Minuet, has a great run for the left-hand.  I see nothing wrong in learning just this movement for developing your technique.


 

[pianobabe_56]

My teacher has also given me songs entirely for the Left Hand. I wish I had the music right here with me, but I don't. If you'd like, I can look into some for you.

[annoying_airhead]

This isn't an etude or a study, and on the whole, probably v. v. unhelpful =? , but you could always try playing the "Six Variations on 'Nel cor più non mi sento' from 'La Molinara' by G.Paisiello" By Beethoven.  Some of the variations focus more on the LH.

B

[freakofnature]

OP states he's level 7-8 and you are saying Mazeppa, Chopin/Godowsky? what?

Chopin Op. 10/12 even would be very challenging.

Yeah, sometimes I wonder what some people think. Why not suggest the OC - I mean it will probably build the left hand, too!

Actually, I think the Chopin Prelude No 3 as suggested by turner would be quite a great choice! I was hoping to find something by Heller, but couldn't find something that would fit (I'm in the same situation - my left hand is quite slow and uneven).