Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 9 (help!)

[echoyjeff222]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if I could get some tips on this etude ... I'm in the process of speeding it up (I think I'm there now ...). I've also been working on the dynamics.

Thanks for any advice!

[awesom_o]

I think you have many of the right ideas going on in some ways. It feels a little bit fast for you right now. I know you're trying to bring the RH melody out, but it felt a bit heavy-handed at times. I'm curious if you'd be capable of playing the LH alone, without pedal, as legato as possible.

If you can do this easily enough, try doing it while singing the RH melody out loud with your voice, while your right arm hangs loosely by your side.

Honestly, if you can do this the whole way through, you shouldn't have much trouble playing the etude as written.

Do you practice slowly and without pedal in general?

[danhuyle]

If you can do a good interpretation at a comfortable speed, then start speeding things up. This is by far ONE of the easier Chopin Etudes to play at performance tempo.

I'm curious if you'd be capable of playing the LH alone, without pedal, as legato as possible.

I've done this in Etude 10/12. Do this in 10/9 as well.

[awesom_o]

There are a few VERY tricky spots in the LH though. I will grant that it is easier than the etudes surrounding it in the opus (7,8,10,11), but it still presents some sickening challenges from the perspective of the interpreter.

danhuyle, have you made any recordings of this or any other Chopin etude?

[danhuyle]

danhuyle, have you made any recordings of this or any other Chopin etude?

I've recorded 10/9, 10/12 and 25/11.

All the Chopin Etudes have their own set of challenges. While 10/9 is technically one of the easier etudes, the interpretation aspect of it is another matter altogether.