Easiest Chopin Etude'

[madsfr1234]

I will just ask about what the easiest Chopin Etude is?

i'm at grade 6-7 at arbsm Level

From Mads

[quantum]

Easy is relative depending on what you are comfortable doing.

You could try 25/2 or Nouvelle in Ab (numbering is inconsistent with editions).

[dnephi]

I recommend Op. 10 No. 2.  How hard could it be?  It's just a few notes in the RH...

But seriously, Op. 25 No. 1 or Op. 25 No. 2 would be good choices.

[madsfr1234]

Thanks for the answers

[amelialw]

the 3 new Etudes, op.10 no.6 and op.25 no.1 & 2

[rhapsody4]

Are Chopin etudes really beneficial to someone at grade 6-7 level?
I imagine that they would take so long to just being able to play the notes that I don't see how they could possibly either improve technique or able to sound good without bothering with other repertoire.
If, however, you do choose to learn one, then the 3 nouvelle etudes (as said by pretty much everyone else) are really the right place to start.

Good luck,
Rhapsody.

[cygnusdei]

The Nouvelle etude no. 2 is not easy.

... apparently there is a numbering inconsistency in various editions. I meant the one in D flat.

[dan101]

You'll be out of luck in finding an etude at that grade level, although opus 25 no. 1 does lie easily under the hands. The slower opus 25, C# minor etude is not overly difficult, but has complex voicing issues.

[hwangs]

The first etude I learned was Opus 10, No. 8. Maybe that wasn't the best choice. I think I was more comfortable with the next two etudes I learned which were Op. 25, 1 and 2.

[amelialw]

The first etude I learned was Opus 10, No. 8. Maybe that wasn't the best choice. I think I was more comfortable with the next two etudes I learned which were Op. 25, 1 and 2.

the 1st one I learnt was op.10 no.8, it is not the easiest one, rather somewhere in the middle. Anyway it was my 1st etude and I took 11 months to master it. The difficulty lies mainly in the middle section after it modulates to d minor. The R.H has to be very relaxed when this etude is played otherwise it will be tiring.

I know I learnt alot from it though as i'm learning op.10 no.4 now and it has made it easier for me.

[zheer]

I would not use the word easy to describe any of the etudes, you could start with op 10 no 3
in e major, its a very moving peice,musically very demanding and the technical difficulty can be overcome with practice if you are level 6 -8.

[quantum]

I would not use the word easy to describe any of the etudes, you could start with op 10 no 3
in e major, its a very moving peice,musically very demanding and the technical difficulty can be overcome with practice if you are level 6 -8.

That was my first Chopet.  Although I don't necessarily recommend it as your first.  There are some tricky chordal passages alternating between groups of fingers. 

As Zheer says, none of the Etudes can really be thought of as easy.  You are almost guaranteed to find a challenge with which ever you pick.  But it is quite a worthwhile challenge to take up as the music is very rewarding to play.

[madsfr1234]

Then what about a grade 6-7 nocturne?

[quantum]

9/1, 9/2, 15/2, E minor posth, C# minor posth


Have you tried out one of the Etudes yet?  how did you find the difficulty? 

[mike_lang]

Why not begin with 25/1?  It really frees up the arms, the body, and initiates one into the physiological vocabulary of the composer.  I think it is the prerequisite to the other études and ought to be learnt first.  It is not a question of the easiest étude, but rather of the best one to learn first.  On the other hand, you might examine your repertoire and see which étude most benefits the pieces you are presently studying.  On the third hand  , you might just see which interest you most, as you will eventually learn all of them anyway.

A side note, to the masses: I read today that Neuhaus advocated learning 10/2 and 25/6 simultaneously.  Interesting, isn't it?

[kriskicksass]

Learn one of the Nouvelle Etudes. Even though 25/1 is great to start with, it's too early.

A side note, to the masses: I read today that Neuhaus advocated learning 10/2 and 25/6 simultaneously.  Interesting, isn't it?

Why is that odd at all? They both use the same fingers (3, 4, and 5) in about the same context, but with slightly different motions. It's a great way to learn how to shake notes out of the upper half of your right hand.

[mike_lang]

Why is that odd at all?
 

I didn't say it was odd - I said that it was interesting.  Most people consider these two etudes to be the most difficult of their respective sets, and to be enough work in and of themselves.  Neuhaus' insight is a valuable one, revealing that they work together as a unique pair within the 24(27) etudes.  I mentioned it because it did not occur to me to study them simultaneously, but seems to be an ingenious idea.

Best,

ML

[gyzzzmo]

To my opinion, if youre grade is like 6/7, you shouldnt have the goal to 'play' a certain chopin etude. Instead, pick an chopin etude who deals with  your biggest technical flaw and start playing it slowly with the goal to improve your flaw.

Etudes like 10/2 is a hard etude, but is an excellent way of improving your right 3,4,5 finger techinique-flaw, even at grade 6/7. AS LONG AS YOU DONT RUSH

gl, gyzzzmo

[violinist]

How about start at the beginning with 10/1 ?  That's what I'm doing

[richard black]

First one I learned to play anything like properly was 25/12.

[gyzzzmo]

I didn't say it was odd - I said that it was interesting.  Most people consider these two etudes to be the most difficult of their respective sets, and to be enough work in and of themselves.  Neuhaus' insight is a valuable one, revealing that they work together as a unique pair within the 24(27) etudes.  I mentioned it because it did not occur to me to study them simultaneously, but seems to be an ingenious idea.

Best,

ML

I dont think its a good idea training these at the same time. Because you train the same fingers in these etudes its too much stress for these fingers. Thats why i think that IF you want to do 2 at the same time, its better to do etudes with different goals. Like 10/2 and 10/12 for example.

gyzzzmo

[jepoy]

The first Chopin etude "officially" assigned by my teacher is 10/9 (F-minor). I've dabbled with the other more famous etudes (10/3, 10/12) but I'm not really ready for those yet. I can manage 10/9, just a little taxing on the left hand with the long stretches but I think I'd be able to pull it up to speed pretty soon. Good luck!

[mcgillcomposer]

Op. 25 No. 12 isn't very difficult either.