Technique

[etude_3]

Any tips on improving technique from grade 10 to being able to play some of chopin's etudes and polanaises - I seem to be stuck at grade 10

[stevebob]

What does Grade 10 mean?  There's no standardized system of grade levels, so it would be more helpful to share a bit about what you've recently learned, how long it took you and how well you play it.

As regards your specific question, what do you feel is the obstacle to learning some of Chopin's polonaises and etudes?  On its face, "Grade 10" sounds reasonably advanced; perhaps some of those pieces are already within your reach.  What does your teacher think?

[etude_3]

I've passed Grade 10 exam and can play Brahms intermezzos opus 118, Schubert impromptus, Debussy (the 2  Arabesques,) Clair Du Lune, Bach 3 part inventions and some Rachmaninov .  My teacher says I'm at Grade 10 level pieces -wise.  Not sure how one works up to learning Chopin's Etude in E (which is what I'd like to attempt ) or whether for some students the etudes will always be out of reach or whether I should just plunge in and see what happens...

[stevebob]

I've passed Grade 10 exam and can play Brahms intermezzos opus 118, Schubert impromptus, Debussy (the 2  Arabesques,) Clair Du Lune, Bach 3 part inventions and some Rachmaninov .  My teacher says I'm at Grade 10 level pieces -wise.

Again, "Grade 10" is meaningful only to someone in your locale using the same curriculum that you are.

Not sure how one works up to learning Chopin's Etude in E (which is what I'd like to attempt ) or whether for some students the etudes will always be out of reach or whether I should just plunge in and see what happens...

What does your teacher have to say about that?  If you haven't discussed the future course of your piano studies, then you probably should.

I think the way to prepare for pieces of increased difficulty is to learn pieces of increasing difficulty; music that challenges your skills in a well-rounded way prepares you for further challenges.  Even if everyone's ultimate potential is different because of individual factors and circumstances, you shouldn't to stop at a given level unless you actually want to.  And if you do stall at some point, it might be a temporary plateau that can be overcome.

The bottom line is that if you expect to keep progressing, then you should keep pushing yourself.  I hope your teacher will agree. 

[thalbergmad]

Not sure how one works up to learning Chopin's Etude in E (which is what I'd like to attempt ) or whether for some students the etudes will always be out of reach or whether I should just plunge in and see what happens...

I would take a chance and plunge in. If it proves to be too difficult, take some more intermediate pieces and build your way up.

You might be a year or two away, but there is only one way you are going to find out.

My other piece of advice would be to ask your teacher as your question is almost impossible to answer without have seen/heard you play.

Thal

[stevebob]

My other piece of advice would be to ask your teacher ....

I wish I had thought of that.  Oh wait ... I did.   

[thalbergmad]

I wish I had thought of that.  Oh wait ... I did.   

If I had read your post, I would have noticed

Thal

[quantum]

The Chopin etudes are a very challenging set of pieces.  No matter how much you try to prepare by learning other pieces, there will most likely still be an element of difficulty when you decide to tackle on of these etudes.  This challenge and struggle that you face when learning an etude is not necessarily a bad thing if taken in manageable doses.  It means you are addressing a part of your technique which can be improved.

As others have asked, what grading system are you referring to when you say Grade 10?  Is it RCM, or another system?  At any rate, it sounds like you are already at a sufficient level to start on your first Chopin Etude.

You say you've played Brahms Op 118.  Have you played all of them or only a selection?  Op 10/3 may compliment these Brahms pieces, although it is not the easiest Chopin Etude to start with. 

[stevebob]

If I had read your post, I would have noticed

And yet you noticed my subsequent one.  I'm honored. 

[thalbergmad]

I generally read posts where I have been quoted.

Thal

[nanabush]

I'm guessing you're doing the RCM system (if not, then whatever).  Most of the pieces you listed are in the Grade 10 for that level.


I'd suggest buying a syllabus (or finding online if you're very lucky); some post-grade 10 pieces that I started with include:

Brahms - Rhapsody in G minor
Chopin - Op Op 10 #5 (black key)
Bach - Prelude and Fugue in G major
Liszt - Un Sospiro

Those were probably the FIRST pieces I got a hold on after finishing my Grade 10 (I ended up using the Brahms, Bach and Liszt as part of my ARCT program)

If you've finished your grade 10, then that means that you've learned a HUGE amount of technical stuff that the system demands.  The E major Etude is definitely a level above Grade 10, but would also be a good starting point to more difficult stuff.

Don't go off finding really difficult pieces (Gaspard, late Beethoven sonatas, Winterwind etude, etc) because you'll probably get discouraged and hit a plateau with your progress on these. 

Bach Preludes and Fugues are a great 'next level' piece after the 2 and 3 part inventions.  For sure check those out, because they really help with coordinating your fingers and developing good voicing, and are all quite short (4-6 pages on average).

[miken49]

Really I agree with the other members that it's impossible to access your level of skill over the net, but I would give you a little advice. Studing a set of etudes is the eqivalent of learning a compositional language. While as you progress you will always seem to hit a slight bump when divinging into the works of another composer you'll find in time that eventuall with everything else in the liturature it will fall under the fingers.

From what it look like though you should be able to start on the etude in E.

[jinfiesto]

Or the f minor in Op. 10. Revolutionary and the harp are also easy.

[pianisten1989]

Or the f minor in Op. 10. Revolutionary and the harp are also easy.

No, they are not.

[slow_concert_pianist]

No, they are not.

My God this is a first.....I agree with Pianstein

[pianisten1989]

My God this is a first.....I agree with Pianstein

Probably because you had your first good idea. So gratz on that Now, maybe you could keep the good ideas coming and leave your bad recordings at home?

[gyzzzmo]

Youre probably at a point where you increase your piano-skills, but theyre not that obvious anymore. First your progression was pretty obvious: you can play faster notes and you could impress the 'musical ogres' around  you by playing the middle part of the turkish march.
But now your progression lies much more in the way HOW you can play those fast notes and controll in general wich is harder to recognize as skill-improvement in short term.

Usually students at this level have to switch the way they learn. Now you're probably getting some czerny (or w/e) for technique and some more romantic-like pieces wich you all probably learn to a 'decent' level before continuing to your next one.
Instead you should now 'learn how to learn most effectively', wich means recognizing your technical weaknesses and focus on training those abit every day. Btw wich are one of the few things excersises like Hanon and Brahms are useful for as long as you dont over-use them.

It often helps to have a 'target piece' wich is slightly harder than your current level, but wich you really want to learn to play the RIGHT way (so no more 'decent' anymore). Use that piece to recognize those technical flaws of yours and start learning etudes that will improve that flaw.

And remember, gaining technique takes time for your brains to learn. There is no point in spending an hour on a particular flaw each day, it might actually hurt you. Better scatter it.

Good luck,

Gyzzzmo