Chopin Etude Op. 10 no. 1

[azbroolah]

How difficult to learn is this piece? It sounds amazing and I'd love to learn it, but I've heard it's the most difficult of the Etudes by far. How does it compare to the works of other composers in terms of difficulty? Also, the music I have for it says that it should be played at 144 on the quarter note, but it seems that recordings of it are much faster. Is there a reason for the discrepancy?

[antichrist]

What's your hand span anyway
If you can't hit 10th it is rather difficult

[j_menz]

If you can't hit 10th it is rather difficult

Why? There's not a tenth in it.

[dima_76557]

Would be a good thing to have 2 posts by marik1 about op 10 no 1 etched in stone:

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=34393.msg402073#msg402073

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=34393.msg402240#msg402240

[lojay]

What's your hand span anyway
If you can't hit 10th it is rather difficult

I disagree.

It's a rather difficult study whether you can reach a 10th or not.  I can only see this being easy for someone who has a lightning fast thumb, is very comfortable with extensions, and is comfortable with arpeggios.

[johnmar78]

In the later stage-performance . We focus on its momentum and therefroe a lighter touch/attack. Where as in the early stage develpment, we focus on its muscular development and motion. What it means, at the performance level, at execution , your hands should felt light and relaxed and merely focus on its momentum-speed.= musical interpretation.

[chopinrabbitthing]

This question really depends on you. What pieces are in your repertoire?
What technical aspects do you have trouble with - if you find playing arpeggios difficult, this may be quite difficult.

It's a really personal thing, some concert pianists may find it difficult, while on the other hand, there are 10 year olds that can confidently perform it.

I think 144 is a tad too fast, again, some may prefer it slower, and some may prefer faster.

I'd recommend you to play more Chopin etudes before this, I think Op 25/1 is a good start.

[prestoconfuocco]

It really depends. It's definetly not the toughest etude (Leave that honor to op. 25 no. 6 and op. 10 no. 2), but it could be tricky if you don't have a flexible wrist.
I think you should try a similar but easier etude that tests flexibility - the op. 10 no. 11, before playing this one. It will really help you later when you play the C major one.

[awesom_o]

It really depends. It's definetly not the toughest etude (Leave that honor to op. 25 no. 6 and op. 10 no. 2), but it could be tricky if you don't have a flexible wrist.
I think you should try a similar but easier etude that tests flexibility - the op. 10 no. 11, before playing this one. It will really help you later when you play the C major one.

Op. 10/11 requires total flexibility to play well, as does op. 10/1. Both etudes require terrific independence of the hands.

Op. 10/1 is particularly difficult to play cleanly with good musical intent. The arpeggios are extremely exposed, and one small wrong note can just bugger the harmony entirely, since you cannot change the pedal very often!