Should I tackle La Campanella?

[pianoxtreme]

Hi, everybody. I've been playing for about 8 years, I can comfortably play Chopin Ballade in G minor, etudes op 10:1 and 25:1, I'm almost done learning the Scherzo in B flat minor and I can play the Moonlight 3rd movement to a high level. I'm also trying to learn Waldstein and Debussy "Reflets dans Leau."

From the moment I first heard La Campanella I loved the piece. Do you think I'm advanced in technique enough where I could learn it, or should I wait? If not, are there any "buffer pieces" that you recommend I learn before attempting the etude?

Many thanks.

[anonymouspianist]

Get more experience, and then play it. Ask your teacher!

[krajcher]

I'm almost done learning the Scherzo in B flat minor and I can play the Moonlight 3rd movement to a high level."

Show us how you play

[krajcher]

I mean, for example this kid "plays" very difficult piece, and I am not sure he would tackle minuet in g lol

[philb]

If you can play Ballade 1, Waldstein, and Op. 10 no. 1 at a high level, you shouldn't have many problems playing this piece.

[werq34ac]

It depends, Ballade 1 is probably considered a more difficult piece, but not in terms of technical difficulty. I'd say if that Coda is well under your fingers, then go ahead and tackle La Campanella.

[danhuyle]

La Campanella is a wonderful piece to play.

I would suggest learning Czerny Study Op299 No22 (repeated notes). It's fast to learn. I did and that helped me learn the triplet variation of the theme. Good trill technique is a must.

[p2u_]

Should I tackle La Campanella?

This is not a piece from which the audience can judge about your musicality. The least you have to do here is get ALL the glittering notes right + know how to "sell" such pieces. No compromise, because the piece is too well-known. Therefore I would say: it's probably a little early. Do play it through, though, as a future project and deal with the mostly rather straightforward technical limits elsewhere, but without forcing yourself.

Paul