Chopin Revolutionary Etude (Op10 #12)

[c_vince]

I am an ARCT student in RCM (wonder if any of you know what it is).

I started playing this piece in the beginning of this year, and I still have problems playing it...

I practice it very regularly, and I try hard to fix my problems, but I still can't get it to sound (technically) the way I want it to sound.

My left hand is always tired when I place this piece, and I always break down around the middle (where the beginning returns).. Its really bugging me, because I'm in love with a piece I cannot play... My left hand doesn't want to go as fast as I'd like it,  and regardless of how much I practice this thing, I can't get it to go fast enough, and end up getting super tired near the middle...

does anybody have any pointers of how to practice the piece? My teacher tells me to relax, but with all these fast notes... I can only relax till around the end of the first page.

Thank you for all your help, and hecking with my appologetic nature (I know.. its a problem)

[Pumpkinhead]

Yeah, Vince I love this piece too! anyways, I had that same problem for the first 2 months of practice. However, it's all about the looseness of the wrist. Practice down the first run and use a circular motion with the wrist. Once you know the song like the back of your hand, it comes alot easier. Believe me, with the looseness, I have no fatigue after playing the Revolutionary. Best Regards

[Max]

Remember, its a study on legato, more than speed - when practising it, I would slow it down slightly, and make sure that your left hand legato is up to scratch.

As for speed, you should play until you start to get tired, then stop, wait for the 'tiredness' to go, then try again. Do it a few times a day, and you'll see improvement.

Heh, are you taking a diploma at the Royal College of Music? I would love to in a couple of years (when I'm 18) but I want to get the academic stuff out the way first.

[c_vince]

Remember, its a study on legato, more than speed - when practising it, I would slow it down slightly, and make sure that your left hand legato is up to scratch.

As for speed, you should play until you start to get tired, then stop, wait for the 'tiredness' to go, then try again. Do it a few times a day, and you'll see improvement.

Heh, are you taking a diploma at the Royal College of Music? I would love to in a couple of years (when I'm 18) but I want to get the academic stuff out the way first.

No.. Not that prestigious... the Royal Conserveratory of Music

https://www.rcmexaminations.org

I have a life outside of piano as well. I'm going into my first year of university this september.

[johnjwong]

im Grade 10 RCM in canada, u live in canada too right?
Hmmm, Can you tell me what book you use for ARCT?  Like what piece do you practice for ARCT level and what are the qualified ARCT Performance Exam Pieces?

[in_love_with_liszt]

If this etude is tiring to you, you should really look at how your playing. Etudes aren't meant to exhaust you, they're meant to test your fluidity at various skills. Make sure you're not tense, as that is usually the cause of fatigue.

[johnjwong]

Well, the same thing happen to me when i played fantasia impromptu, but i found that the problem was i have to relax my hand and maybe because of my keyboard, my keyboard's keys are hard and cannot use it to play high level fast runs.  Try to relax your hand when you play and if u practice more, you'll get it ^_^