Picking the right etude

[psaiko]

I want to focus on technique for the next months, and I am trying to find the best etude. There are two aspects I want to improve:

1)  general coordination and speed of left hand
2) left and right hand arpeggios

So far I have considered Chopin 10/12 (revolutionary) and 25/12 (ocean)

25/12 satisfies both conditions, but I fear it could be too difficult. Its important that I spend my time in the most efficient way.

My recent repertoar is

Grieg: nocturne, Wedding day
Chopin: etude 10/3, fantaisie-impromptu, ballade in G minor
Sæverud: småfuglvals, kjempeviseslåtten (giant of revolt)

Can anyone give me some advice. Was the time learning ocean etude worth it for you? Do you think I am ready for it? Also give advices of other etudes.

Thanks

[cmg]

Are you choosing these etudes for performance or technique building?  They are both notoriously difficult to pull off under pressure, such as a recital and seem to take years of settling in before you go public with them.  But they are great technique builders (and real masterpieces) and working on them could only benefit you.  But watch out for tension in hands, wrists, forearms, etc.  Make sure you practice very slowly and concentrate on the most relaxed hand position possible.  Otherwise, they can't hurt you, even if they may be a stretch for you at this time.  But that's how we progress -- pushing the envelope.  Enjoy!

[dnephi]

25/12 "exact the highest degree of virtuosity and should be left to the professional.",  but I wouldn't "discourage any decent player from essaying such universal favorites as the Butterfly, Black Key, or Revolutionary..."

The Literature of the Piano, Ernest Hutcheson.

I suggest Czerny Op. 740

P.S. Repertoire, not repertoare

p.P.S. Do you have a teacher?  I would suggest talking to him/her  . 

P.P.P.S. If you want to work on left hand, try Godowsky-Chopin Study #42 on Op. 25 12.  It's easier than the Chopin and is more dramatic.  You might like it... if you dare tackle a Godowsky study.

[psaiko]

P.S. Repertoire, not repertoare

I know, I am mixing languages 

p.P.S. Do you have a teacher?  I would suggest talking to him/her  . 

Not for the moment since I am away for a year.


My main motive is to build technique, but I wouldnt mind performing 25/12 since it is also a really nice piece. I look at the score and notice the general pattern for RH is 1 2 3 (4) 5 1 2 3 (4) 5 1 2... with finger 1 repeating the note played by finger five. Normally arperggios are played as 1 2 3 (4) 1 2 3 ... with a jump from finger 3 (or 4) to finger 1.

Will 25/12 only teach me that special arperggio with 1 repeating 5, or is this a very clever way to learn arperggios of the normal kind?

Hope someone can answer that last question.

[thierry13]

Playing all etudes is the best