Op. 10, No. 12 (Revolutionary)- Bars 29 to 32

[perprocrastinate]

I'm having trouble with this section. Any pointers?

And if you don't want to actually look at the sheet music to locate the section:

0:52 - 0:58.

[virtuoso80]

I'm surprised to see you single out that section. You have no trouble with other sections, but you do with this one?  For me, this part is not difficult - just a basic arpeggio pattern that falls nicely under the fingers. What fingering are you using, and what exactly is happening when you try to play it?

[perprocrastinate]

I'm using the fingerings suggested in this sheet music: https://gallery.me.com/imagethai#100819

The problem is that it sounds blurred when I play the section. It's difficult to play fast, and without pedal, it sounds choppy.

[virtuoso80]

That fingering should work fine. Hmm...like I said it's strange you single out that section. If you weren't moving your arm smoothly, it would show up more in other passages. I've never had much trouble with pedaling there either. So not sure what's going on without seeing/hearing it.

[cas70]

The going up the piano in those measures is not so hard, the coming down the piano part is hard.  The only advice I can give is lots of repetition.  Otherwise, you play this very, very well.

[perprocrastinate]

Thanks for the replies, and repetition has seemed to solve the problem.

And by the way, the video isn't me playing, since I could only dream to reach that level of performance. I just picked Paul Barton as a reference video because I think he's comparable to the professional level even though his choice was not to be a concert pianist.

[bacchus1224]

That part for me is the hardest in the piece especially in terms of clarity. So I practiced it staccato and used the pedal only for the first 3 notes of the bass clef in each bar instead of 6 (as the score suggests) but that varies from time to time...sometimes if I have to play it without having practiced or warmed up, I intentionally blur it a bit to cover up any slips 

But yeah, your best bet is to practice the part really well till your fingers get accustomed to the passages and then it won't sound choppy, even without the pedal if you slur it well enough.

[werq34ac]

virtuoso80, I disagree that the section is not difficult. It's got a lot of thumb and pinkie on black keys which make it somewhat awkward. It's an easy configuration, but I found that the black keys are a little awkward for the thumb.


As for that section, maybe rhythms would help? If you don't know how they work, then here's an overview:
1 2 3 and 4 correspond to 1 e and a in a single group of four notes. Notes with a space after them are to be held.

You start with
1 23 41 23 41
Then 12 34 12 34 12 34
1 2341 2341 2341 2341
12 3412 3412 3412 3412
123 4123 4123 4123
1234 1234 1234

You should find that when you play normally, that the passage feels more comfortable and more even.


As for suggestions for improvement, are you aware that not everything is the same tempo? There's some passages in the left hand that you don't play as fast as the beginning in particular the coda. The  piece sorta sits due to the immense space between the right hand notes. Remember that the Right hand has the melody and not the left.

Also, the marking for this piece is Allegro con fuoco with appassionata written somewhere on the score. When the main melody came up, it felt a bit... too matter of fact. Not exactly sure what it is, but it most certainly needs more passion.

Nice work with this piece

[pts1]

This is a very difficult section to play properly. Most pianists -- due to a fundamental technical error -- make it sound sloppy and lurching, uneven dynamically and rhythmically.

The technical problem is that its a true 5 finger exercise that is difficult in that the 4th finger must follow the 5th going up, and also on a black key at times. And going down, the thumb is sluggish as the 5th finger reaches for the keys.

Most amateur pianists accomplish this "wash board" sound because they DO NOT PLAY with the thumb and 5th finger, but ROLL THE HAND and PUMP THE WRIST instead. Its much easier to roll the left hand to the left to "simulate" playing with the 5th finger, and to the right to "simultate" playing with the thumb all the while lifting and lowering the wrist in an attempt to accomodate the rocky keyboard configuration in this passage.

Practice this slowly by lifting the thumb and 5th finger higher than you'll actually perform, forcing them to actually play, and don't allow yourself to roll the hand or pump the wrist up and down. Lifting the 5th finger will also allow height for the 4th, so you can practice this weaker finger with enhanced articulation as well. When you can play this passage at about half speed perfectly even -- both dynamically and rhytmically --then you'll have made big improvement and you'll be surpised at how much the performance has improved!

Once you start practicing this way, don't be surprised if you find your 5th finger and thumb tire easily. This will simply point out how undeveloped they are.

Don't believe that this is easy. Its the most difficult section in the piece. Practice it like I indicate and you'll be rewarded.

[danhuyle]

I always found that accenting the beats is the hard part. The beat falls on the second finger in all 4 bars.

[iratior]

I give the 5th finger of my left hand a holiday in these measures.  I never minded these measures as far as difficulty goes, but I'm left-handed so no wonder huh.  Thanks for putting the video here.