Chopin - Etude no 4

[pianisten1989]

Hmm.. I am really not happy with this recordning, but it's what I've got atm.
I don't know if it's me or my "Yamaha pocketrak"-record-thing

Anyways, give me as much advice as you can

[jbmorel78]

Dear Pianisten1989,

It very good playing here.  Ideal tempo, character, spirit.

I would suggest that you consider a few things:

1) The first downbeat as "up:"  a beginning, rather than an arrival.  This étude can become a bit heavy with all of the chords (the most perilous being this initial downbeat), and it is important that it retain a rhythmic lightness.

2) At the same time, take care not to rush in some place (you will hear them when you listen back to the recording - take note of where this tends to happen and figure out why).  The excitement comes from a continual forward motion, without accelerando (the coda excepted).

3) I realize this is rather obvious, but I say it anyway - if you clean nothing else in the piece, take care to clean up that final arpeggio gesture before the last chords.  End clearly and confidently.  As one professor I met likes to say, always remember the three W's - "Where, what, why?"  Where does the mistake occur?  What is happening in my physical choreography?  Why does the mistake occur?

Again, very well played - I hope that my suggestions will give you fuel for your practice.

Best wishes,
Jean-Baptiste Morel

[pianisten1989]

Thx, yet again for this confidence-boost

I guess I'll slow it down, just a tiny tiny bit. Now it's like running in a down hill (is that the word?) and I can't really stop my fingers from doing an accelerando.

[jbmorel78]

Thx, yet again for this confidence-boost

I guess I'll slow it down, just a tiny tiny bit. Now it's like running in a down hill (is that the word?) and I can't really stop my fingers from doing an accelerando.

I just want to make sure I've been clear in my opinion - it is not that it is too fast, it is just that certain sections tend to accelerate.  If it is not your intention for them to do so, it is important to figure out why it is happening.  Choice of tempo (slower or faster) can be done for musical reasons, but if you will pardon my frankness, it is not a "band-aid" for things that are out of control.  Ask yourself in these passages what is standing in the way of you playing in strict time - is it a fingering choice, and unnecessary gesture, a faulty mental grouping of tones...? 

Best wishes,
Jean-Baptiste Morel

[pianowolfi]

Hi pianisten

I think this is definitely on a good way. To me this was always sorta the hell of a hard piece, one that sounds much easier than it really is.

I agree with jbmorel.

I would put now the emphasis in achieving a really steady tempo and work more on dynamics and "dramaturgy" so to say.
I like when this piece is played very rhythmically, and with a light touch. Avoid all heaviness, also in the ff sections. It should have the clarity of a Bach Prelude but the con fuoco and rhythmic drive of a Beethoven presto.

[birba]

Hey pianistin, not bad!  The tempo is alright.  With time, you can push it a tiny bit more.  My main complaint are the chords accompanying the 16th notes.  They're way way too heay and you lose the brilliance of the piece. In fact, I take that back about pushing it a bit more.  You're playing a good speed.  But those clunk clunks of the chords make it sound slower. You won't believe the difference it will make when you lighten up the accompaniment.  It will "sound" even faster, believe me.  In the middle section, at 33 and 37, do a subito piano and crescendo.  The coda was very good.  I like it a touch faster, like you did it.
Bravo!

[pianisten1989]

Ok, thx.

I have always seen the chord as the melody and the 16th as accompany (how does it spell in english?). But yeah, you're right. It sounds way slower... So I change that!