Help with butterfly etude

[Kaylia_D.]

Most of you might laugh about my question. I am no genius at the paino but i approach this forum humility, seeking for advice in my approach to Chopins etudes. This will not be my first Chopin song i'm learning but certainly his first etude.  I was trying to learn Butterfly Etude this morning and it seems as though i am making no/little progress. Its neither my first attempt to learn it. Its such an alluring piece that each time i give up i start all over fresh...Will somebody pls give me advice on how to approach this piece. Your response is greatly appreciated

[goansongo]

This is a pretty easy etude to play.  You just need to know notes for each hand and put it together very slowly.  It has almost a ragtime feel to it.  The thing you must worry about is keep the notes clear, especially near the end...

[matt_haley]

This is a pretty easy etude to play - GoAnSoNGo

hi dont be phased from what  he said, it is not and i repeat not an easy etude,a lot of care and finese has to be taken into consideration when performing this etude. you should establish a good feeling within the first dozen measures, the first two notes of each bar are a means of a broken chord followed by two clear graceful octaves.   good pedalling is required within this piece.  my advice is like goansongo said put the two hands together slowly,the left hand is fairly easy to be honest and yes it does hav a rag time feeling, a lot of practice and good touch is needed!

good luck kaylia,  ul b fine,  hope to hear from ya soon how ya doin  

[nerd]

It would help if you told how you tried to approach it and what problems you had. I haven't played it much but here are some things which could help:

- First learn each RH four-note group and the first note of the next group. For example (starting from the beginning):
1. Bb GbBb CbCb CC Db
2. Db AbDb EbEb DbDb Gb
3. Gb EbGb AbAb AA Bb
etc.
Play the group as it should be played (speed, articulation etc) and then stop on the first note of the next group. Stay on that note as long as you need. When you're ready, play this group and stop on the next group's first note. And so on...

- Then learn to play a whole measure up-to-speed (or faster) with correct articulation etc. and stop on the first note of the next measure.

- Gradually play longer sections

- The same method works for the left hand. First:
Gb BbDbGb F
F AbDbAb Eb
...
Then a whole measure etc.

- When you can play a certain section HS at least at full tempo start playing HT (start slowly, make as few mistakes as possible)

- If this method doesn't work try something else

EDIT: Yay! I'm not a YaBB Newbie anymore

[Kaylia_D.]

Hi Everyone thanx for the advice.I wasnt expecting a response. There seem to be mixed approaches, but i shall indeed try all. I used to try to get the right hand notes as well and play them slowly and then put the left hand to it. But i always got impatient and left it at that. I guess thats why i never make progress. Indeed the piece  reminds  me of a ragtime piece. Today i got time on my hands so i will try these methods. Once again thank you again everyone, i am extremely grateful. i will try to keep everyone  posted on the progress i make if any.

Kaylia D

P.S How long did it take you guys to learn it?