Selecting a Chopin etude

[azbroolah]

I'm thinking of doing either the Op. 10 no. 12 (Revolutionary) or the Op. 25 no. 12 (Ocean), though I'm open to doing the other ones too. Any suggestions?

[chopin2015]

*yawn*

Do op 10 no 1 or no 2

[azbroolah]

*yawn*

Do op 10 no 1 or no 2

I'm not such a big fan of No. 2, and No. 1 looks so hard 
I do really enjoy Op 10's nos. 1 and 8, though, in addition to the ones I said before.

[h_chopin148]

I'm not such a big fan of No. 2, and No. 1 looks so hard 
I do really enjoy Op 10's nos. 1 and 8, though, in addition to the ones I said before.

If its your first Chopin etude, don't do Op. 10/1 or 10/2 as they're both pretty hard.  If I were you, I'd do the revolutionary etude.

[ajspiano]

yes, as h_chopin148 said, OP hasnt stated whether this is a first chopin etude, and if it is then 1 or 2 would be a bad move.

Not sure what chopin2015 is thinking really? (no offence intended) .. you are working on them though right? When you first learn any chopin etude you are struck with the significant benefits and its very easy to start thinking that everyone should be learning them immediately. You have already learnt a couple of his etudes, 25/12 and 25/11 no? and I'm sure you've worked on several others..  you are probably in a more advanced position than the OP is if this is his/her first.

Additionally, you don't know what the OP's past history with chopin is, or what his or her natural tendencies strengths or weaknesses are. Both the 2 etudes you cite are BATSHIT hard, and considered to be so by the worlds top pianists. They are not a starting point for anyone but the bravest and most determined, and in some cases, likely those willing to accept negative consequences especially if they are tackled without professional guidance - and again we don't know if the OP has this.

To the OP, your thoughts, 10/12 or 25/12 both fit into the "starters" category. Others are usually 10/5, perhaps 10/3 (if you like something slower) - or 25/1, 25/2? 25/7 is also easy-ish, but its deceptive. You'd need a good bit of background work in contrapuntal works and playing it really well demands a lot of skill. When choosing, consider both what you like, and what you are already good and bad at. Such as that the rev has a heavily demanding LH part, as opposed to the black-key where all the fast paced harder stuff is in the RH.

The other work you mention, 10/8 is not generally considered as demanding as 10/1 or 2, however is it in the middle to upper end of the pack if we're looking at all 24.

[h_chopin148]

yes, as h_chopin148 said, OP hasnt stated whether this is a first chopin etude, and if it is then 1 or 2 would be a bad move.

Not sure what chopin2015 is thinking really? (no offence intended) .. you are working on them though right? When you first learn any chopin etude you are struck with the significant benefits and its very easy to start thinking that everyone should be learning them immediately. You have already learnt a couple of his etudes, 25/12 and 25/11 no? and I'm sure you've worked on several others..  you are probably in a more advanced position than the OP is if this is his/her first.

Additionally, you don't know what the OP's past history with chopin is, or what his or her natural tendencies strengths or weaknesses are. Both the 2 etudes you cite are BATSHIT hard, and considered to be so by the worlds top pianists. They are not a starting point for anyone but the bravest and most determined, and in some cases, likely those willing to accept negative consequences especially if they are tackled without professional guidance - and again we don't know if the OP has this.

To the OP, your thoughts, 10/12 or 25/12 both fit into the "starters" category. Others are usually 10/5, perhaps 10/3 (if you like something slower) - or 25/1, 25/2? 25/7 is also easy-ish, but its deceptive. You'd need a good bit of background work in contrapuntal works and playing it really well demands a lot of skill. When choosing, consider both what you like, and what you are already good and bad at. Such as that the rev has a heavily demanding LH part, as opposed to the black-key where all the fast paced harder stuff is in the RH.

The other work you mention, 10/8 is not generally considered as demanding as 10/1 or 2, however is it in the middle to upper end of the pack if we're looking at all 24.

I think 10/9 is a good beginning etude too.

[ajspiano]

I think 10/9 is a good beginning etude too.

Yes I would agree.

I also think that if you are truly serious about piano, and if you're able to tackle a Chopin etude you probably are, then you should have the attitude that you're going to be learning quite a few, if not all of them eventually..  Though obviously for most of us that's a very extended project that we may not even finish unless we are lucky enough to be able to devote most of our time to the piano.

And with that in mind, its wise to pick with technical purpose as much as just pick one we like. For example, I think that the ocean precedes the revolutionary quite well..  and that 10/11 in very significantly linked to 10/1..   and that while 10/2 will usually be learnt after 10/3 it is a massive help to the latter's execution.

They are all worthy, but for different reasons. Each of us has our own best starting point - or points - and realistically it may not even be chopin for this purpose.. it may be Hummel or Moszkowski or something else.

If you're picking 1 chopin etude, of the bunch.. its probably because you are picking an etude so I don't think restricting yourself to chopin is the right idea. You pick what you need at the current point in time. This as a contrast to choosing a chopin etude just because you love that specific one as a piece of music, which is an equally acceptable reason..  but if that's the reason then you probably know yourself what you want to do and wouldn't be asking.

[azbroolah]

Yes I would agree.

I also think that if you are truly serious about piano, and if you're able to tackle a Chopin etude you probably are, then you should have the attitude that you're going to be learning quite a few, if not all of them eventually..  Though obviously for most of us that's a very extended project that we may not even finish unless we are lucky enough to be able to devote most of our time to the piano.

And with that in mind, its wise to pick with technical purpose as much as just pick one we like. For example, I think that the ocean precedes the revolutionary quite well..  and that 10/11 in very significantly linked to 10/1..   and that while 10/2 will usually be learnt after 10/3 it is a massive help to the latter's execution.

They are all worthy, but for different reasons. Each of us has our own best starting point - or points - and realistically it may not even be chopin for this purpose.. it may be Hummel or Moszkowski or something else.

If you're picking 1 chopin etude, of the bunch.. its probably because you are picking an etude so I don't think restricting yourself to chopin is the right idea. You pick what you need at the current point in time. This as a contrast to chosen a chopin etude just because you love that specific one as a piece of music, which is an equally acceptable reason..  but if that's the reason then you probably know yourself what you want to do and wouldn't be asking.

To be honest, I'm just picking one of the Chopin etudes because I like them the best and they're probably feasibly within my reach at this point, having just finished Liszt's HR2. I'm not looking to go for something so hard as the Transcendental Etudes but I still want to challenge myself.

[ajspiano]

To be honest, I'm just picking one of the Chopin etudes because I like them the best and they're probably feasibly within my reach at this point, having just finished Liszt's HR2. I'm not looking to go for something so hard as the Transcendental Etudes but I still want to challenge myself.

Not to argue, I'm not saying don't do chopin..  Liszt has other etudes besides the transcendental though of-course.

I actually didn't mean to direct that at you.. just a generalization..  I have no idea what you have previously studied to be able to make such a suggestion with any real authority..   and chopin etudes are, well, VERY valuable, and if you're ready for them others have a hard time out ranking them. At least thats how I see it.

[chopin2015]

yes, as h_chopin148 said, OP hasnt stated whether this is a first chopin etude, and if it is then 1 or 2 would be a bad move.

Not sure what chopin2015 is thinking really? (no offence intended) .. you are working on them though right? When you first learn any chopin etude you are struck with the significant benefits and its very easy to start thinking that everyone should be learning them immediately. You have already learnt a couple of his etudes, 25/12 and 25/11 no? and I'm sure you've worked on several others..  you are probably in a more advanced position than the OP is if this is his/her first.

Additionally, you don't know what the OP's past history with chopin is, or what his or her natural tendencies strengths or weaknesses are. Both the 2 etudes you cite are BATSHIT hard, and considered to be so by the worlds top pianists. They are not a starting point for anyone but the bravest and most determined, and in some cases, likely those willing to accept negative consequences especially if they are tackled without professional guidance - and again we don't know if the OP has this.

To the OP, your thoughts, 10/12 or 25/12 both fit into the "starters" category. Others are usually 10/5, perhaps 10/3 (if you like something slower) - or 25/1, 25/2? 25/7 is also easy-ish, but its deceptive. You'd need a good bit of background work in contrapuntal works and playing it really well demands a lot of skill. When choosing, consider both what you like, and what you are already good and bad at. Such as that the rev has a heavily demanding LH part, as opposed to the black-key where all the fast paced harder stuff is in the RH.

The other work you mention, 10/8 is not generally considered as demanding as 10/1 or 2, however is it in the middle to upper end of the pack if we're looking at all 24.

Not offended!
Hey, you started with 10.1 and so did another girl I know. I started with 10.12 and I am not a fan of that one as a starting point.

To OP, what are some of the pieces you are playing/have worked on?

[ajspiano]

Hey, you started with 10.1

no I didnt.

I worked on 10/3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12 and 25/1, 2, 7, 11...  some completely, some partly, before No 1.

no 1 is just the one I'm best at now

[chopin2015]

no I didnt.

I worked on 10/3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12 and 25/1, 2, 7, 11...  some completely, some partly, before No 1.

no 1 is just the one I'm best at now

Oops, OK! My fault. Hmm...I'd say pick a short one. An etude with like 4 pages of music should be a good place to start.

[ajspiano]

Oops, OK! My fault. Hmm...I'd say pick a short one. An etude with like 4 pages of music should be a good place to start.

The piano street edition of 10/6 is only 3 pages.. but its also a couple of bars longer than 10/2 which comes in at 4 pages..

There's also a good few fugues in the WTC that are only 2 pages if we're looking to cram value into less and less pages..

[chopin2015]

The piano street edition of 10/6 is only 3 pages.. but its also a couple of bars longer than 10/2 which comes in at 4 pages..

There's also a good few fugues in the WTC that are only 2 pages if we're looking to cram value into less and less pages..

Agreed, would you recommend 10.6? Seems like a fit...

[ajspiano]

Agreed, would you recommend 10.6? Seems like a fit...

Well it depends.. 10/6 is a multivoice work with a boatload of subtlety..  so I would recommended only as a follow on from some earlier counterpoint, such as bach sinfonias/fugues, in addition to a number of easier examples of romantic period multi-voice works in the grade 6-8 range.

for example..
Chopin 28/6
Faure op 17/3

...

we can probably safely assume that OP has done that having played HR2.. but who knows..

[chopin2015]

To be honest...i think some of Liszt etudes are just as hard or just as easy as a Chopin. Worth checking out. Have you asked your teacher? Ask about Liszt.

[werq34ac]

I found 10/8 harder than10/12 but thats just me. I often hear 10/5 cites as a starter etude.

[drew98]

I just learned my first Chopin Etude and I went with Op 25 No. 10. I personally don't think it's too terribly hard. Maybe it's just me...

[canada100]

Learn them all!

[awesom_o]

Learn them all!

  Correct answer!

[g_s_223]

Si vous pouvez lire Francais, je recommande https://www.amazon.fr/24-Etudes-Chopin-Vers-interpr%C3%A9tation/dp/2858682240/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392506646&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=monique+dechaussees

[future_maestro]

Wait, you think that Etude Op 1 No 1 looks hard, and you're going to play "revolutionary" or "Ocean"? Those are two of his hardest Etudes! No 1 is a cakewalk compared two those.

I don't believe that you're ready to tackle these pieces yet.

[awesom_o]

Wait, you think that Etude Op 1 No 1 looks hard, and you're going to play "revolutionary" or "Ocean"? Those are two of his hardest Etudes! No 1 is a cakewalk compared two those.

Op. 10/1 is no cakewalk compared to anything!