Chopin 48-1 Nocturne (c minor)

[violinist]

Hello piano folks!

I got small hands for the piano 

I can only reach a ninth with some straining.  Octaves are practically all I can do.

I've been wanting to do the Chopin 48-1 Nocturne (c minor), but I don't know if I can do the parts with the ton of octaves - louder parts toward the end.  Any suggestions?

I've downloaded the music and I can play the first page, but the second page (C major) started to scare me with the large chords, maybe I need to stop.

Anyone play this?  I'm sure it's popular.

Thanks for any help or tips on how to get thru this...

[acha114]

Large chords that you can't play as one block should be rolled, e.g. as an arpeggio.

You can roll the chords if your hands aren't able to play them as one. Indeed the majority of the large chords in this piece should be rolled, anyone who can play octaves comfortably should be able to play this piece.

[klick]

I got small hands for the piano 

Chopin composed this piece and performed it (according to my book at least) and his furthest stretch was only an 8th. I am barely fimiliar with the piece: All I know from reading is you only should need an 8th stretch. All chords bigger are rolled quickly; this should come easiliy with good finger dexterity.

As for the octaves, try practicing Octave scales (Major and minor) both hands (2 octaves) to gain strength, and Chromatic Scales in octaves hands together starting on any key. The chromatic octaves will not only develop strength and speed, but they also appear in the piece, lowering the learning curve in that section by a significant amount.