I Want to Learn Chopin's Ballade in G Minor

[kedix1414]

Hello everyone!  I love Chopin's Ballade in G Minor, and I really want to learn it.  However, I do not think that I am experienced enough. 

This is a list of some pieces that are either in my repertoire or that I am currently working on.

Brahms' Rhapsody in G Minor
Beethoven Sonata No.17 in D Minor
Jardins Jardins Sous La Pluie from Estampes by Debussy
Mozart's Sonata No. 12 in F Major (only the first movement so far)
Schubert Impromptu No. 2 in E-Flat Major
Chopin's Nocturne No. 1 in B-Flat Minor
Prelude and Fugue in C Minor from the Well Tempered Clavier
Brahms' Intermezzo in A

What pieces would you recommend that I learn first before tackling the ballade?

[49410enrique]

experienced how?
The ballades are some of Chopin's masterpieces, containing elements of the waltzes, etudes (techincally formidable etc), nocturnes (lyrical and longing), scherzos, etc.

the best prep for these big beefy pieces is to get comfortable with the smaller ones i.e. play an etude a waltz, a mazurka, a nocturne, etc., also be able to maybe perform sets of them back to back to equal approximately the time it would take to play through No 1, i.e. be able to play about 9-11  minutes music in a single performance/sitting.

other than that i can't think of how much more preactical advice could be given, i dont think you need to play certain pieces befor you play it just have a good musical instinct and musicality and a technique that is developed enough that the challenges of the work do not impede the flow of the music and allow you to effortless express yourself and what you interpret Chopin wanted to bring out.

[starstruck5]

Excellent advice from Enrique -

The Waltzes in Eb and late Eminor-3rd Etude Op10 -Revolutionary Etude -are good preparotary pieces for the Ballade -but so are many others -

[neusys]

personally, i do not find it that hard! the pieces that your are already learning, have put you in a state of preparedness AND readiness. go for it, and i am sure you will be surprised. good luck.

[danhuyle]

What are you so afraid of? I can even create a video tutorial on how to learn this ballade if you want.

If you want to play the ballade then play it. Figure it out yourself like I had to.

Do you believe a piano teacher can "do the work" for you? They'll show you how to practice and how to interpret the ballade, whether you actually do it or not is up to you. Even if you spent months taking piano lessons to learn this one piece, a piano teacher can't guarantee you can ACTUALLY play it at Chopin Competition level. NO ONE CAN.

Want me to do a video tutorial for Chopin Ballade No1? How bad do you want to play this ballade?

The choice is yours.

[pianoman53]

What are you so afraid of? I can even create a video tutorial on how to learn this ballade if you want.

If you want to play the ballade then play it. Figure it out yourself like I had to.

Do you believe a piano teacher can "do the work" for you? They'll show you how to practice and how to interpret the ballade, whether you actually do it or not is up to you. Even if you spent months taking piano lessons to learn this one piece, a piano teacher can't guarantee you can ACTUALLY play it at Chopin Competition level. NO ONE CAN.

Want me to do a video tutorial for Chopin Ballade No1? How bad do you want to play this ballade?

The choice is yours.

Seriously, no. You can't! You barely memorized it, and that's it. Just because you didn't listen to your teachers, and after that were able to memorize a few pieces doesn't mean anything. People who actually have the wish to become something should listen to the teacher. One can change once or so, but if all of them say the same thing, one obviously have to reconsider what you're doing. To play the ballad, you'll need a very solid technique and tone. It's such a difficult piece, so it will be a waste of time if you have to stop everywhere and figure out the technique for a month....

[kedix1414]

Thank you for the advice everyone.  My teacher will support to me.  I just wanted multiple people's opinion on whether or not I could handle this piece of music or if I need more time.  I am willing to put in the work.  Thank you for the offer danhuyle, but I don't want you to have to put in the time to make a full video tutorial.  However, do you have some hints for the more challenging sections?

[chadbrochill17]

I feel everyone wants to play this piece

[chopin2015]

I think you can do it. I still eff up Fantasie Impromptu every time I play it yet I play through the ballade. It is more enjoyable to play, I think. You will have a beautiful time learning it. Just remember. RUBATO means your left had keeps tempo and your right hand has more freedom, not always but especially in that part right before the arpeggios. If you have any questions let me know, we can all help you.

[chadbrochill17]

I think you can do it. I still eff up Fantasie Impromptu every time I play it yet I play through the ballade. It is more enjoyable to play, I think. You will have a beautiful time learning it. Just remember. RUBATO means your left had keeps tempo and your right hand has more freedom, not always but especially in that part right before the arpeggios. If you have any questions let me know, we can all help you.

How can you keep tempo with one hand and not with the other? What?

[davidjosepha]

How can you keep tempo with one hand and not with the other? What?

I'd say it's one of the most difficult parts of playing piano, but if you can separate your hands so they don't have to be locked together, you can make your playing sound tons better. Of course, there are many times where you want your hands to be perfectly together, but rubato in many places (Chopin Nocturnes, for instance) should be done by keeping the left hand pretty much constant and the right hand playing "naturally".

[chadbrochill17]

I'd say it's one of the most difficult parts of playing piano, but if you can separate your hands so they don't have to be locked together, you can make your playing sound tons better. Of course, there are many times where you want your hands to be perfectly together, but rubato in many places (Chopin Nocturnes, for instance) should be done by keeping the left hand pretty much constant and the right hand playing "naturally".

That is not at all how I've played rubato, especially in his nocturnes. If you do what you are saying, then eventually you will not be playing the same measure with both hands. And listening to Rubinstein, he for sure does not do that.

[chopin2015]

That is not the only way to play rubato, but in the book Chopin pianist and teacher, he explains that if you play rubato by keeping time with your right hand and following with your left, you are faking rubato.  Because every time your right hand slows down your left will too, and you are to keep specific counts with your left hand. Is that not so? I recommend this book. 
 If you have any questions, please ask.

[davidjosepha]

If you do what you are saying, then eventually you will not be playing the same measure with both hands. And listening to Rubinstein, he for sure does not do that.

You shouldn't, if you play rubato correctly. It's supposed to balance it. It's push and pull. If you have too much of one, then yes, you would get off from a metronome when playing, but if you balance it out, you should be able to stay with a metronome.

[danhuyle]

Thank you for the advice everyone.  My teacher will support to me.  I just wanted multiple people's opinion on whether or not I could handle this piece of music or if I need more time.  I am willing to put in the work.  Thank you for the offer danhuyle, but I don't want you to have to put in the time to make a full video tutorial.  However, do you have some hints for the more challenging sections?

Do learn this if you have a teacher who is willing to teach it.

To get the best outcome in your lessons, you want to focus on the interpretation and rubato aspects of the piece. Going to piano lessons to learn the technical aspects of a piece is no fun, especially for Ballade no1.

The most challenging for me technically is the material between the 2nd and 3rd statement of the main theme if that makes sense. The coda is a lot of fun.


Don't spend the lesson on the technical aspects, unless it's to fine tune some things.

[chopin2015]

If you need any additional fingering help, I have some good ones from my teacher.
Other than that, off you go!!!

I attached the print I like. I hate it when they print difficult pieces in bigger print/more pages.
This one is not too tiny but not too big and is 10 pages of music.

[pianoman53]

Do learn this if you have a teacher who is willing to teach it.

To get the best outcome in your lessons, you want to focus on the interpretation and rubato aspects of the piece. Going to piano lessons to learn the technical aspects of a piece is no fun, especially for Ballade no1.

The most challenging for me technically is the material between the 2nd and 3rd statement of the main theme if that makes sense. The coda is a lot of fun.


Don't spend the lesson on the technical aspects, unless it's to fine tune some things.

Yeah, cause the first ballad is easy enough to sight read, then you'll know the technique -.-

[kedix1414]

Thank you for the sheet music and the advice everyone!

[perprocrastinate]

Yeah, cause the first ballad is easy enough to sight read, then you'll know the technique -.-

No matter how hard you try, I don't think it's possible to demotivate Dan.