Wrist twisting in Chopin's "Ocean" Etude, Op25 No12

[pytheamateur]

I have been having some trouble with the left hand at Bar 26, where the left hand plays Ab-Eb-Ab-Ab etc.  The fingering I have been using is 5-2-1-5.

The problem is in passing from the thumb to the pinky on the Ab when going up: when I play fast, my pinky quite often misses the note.  Going down seems ok though.  The problem I think is due to the Ab being a black key, hence a smaller area where my pink can land into.

My teacher suggested playing with the 4th finger on the Ab only when going up.  However, playing the Ab-Eb interval with 4-2 seems a little awkward for me.

Today, I tried twisting my wrist slightly to the left, so that instead of having my pinky parallel to the black key, it would be at a 30 degree angle.  This made it a lot easier.  Imagine trying to hit a thin stick on a table with another thin sticker in your hand.  I think it will be difficult to hit it if the two sticks are parallel to each other.  I think it's the same principle here.

Any thoughts on this?  In particular, is it a bad thing to twist the wrist that way?  Anyone uses the 4th finger on the Ab?

By the way I had a similar problem for the right hand going down when it starts with a black key.  Turning the wrist slightly to the right helps too.

Thanks.

[johnmar78]

mate, I have done this study. Unforunately no5 finger is required on black key. You need break up that bar and do hand sepeartely and vary the angle of the hands both horizotally and vertically to work out the best securcred grip. Unless you have a stiff hands, I dnt us ewhrist as much but rather bend my thumb as much in as possible-finger movememt. Try keep your hands still as possible, the more wavy you move like a yoyo, the more likly your throw your gravity out in all directions as a result of slipping keys.
And of course, start of playing slowly right into the keys. Fortimmiso, with reduced tension and motion. I hope this helps...next....