Chopin op 66

[teachmepiano]

Hey, I'm an adult beginner (or intermediate perhaps, been playing for 2 years) and I'm about to finish op66 by Chopin (aka fantaisie impromptu). I only recorded first section because I didn't have time to record the rest but I can do if someone really wants it.

A few things to notice:
Please ignore the simple mistakes, I didn't have time to record several times or edit
The quality is bad simply because I'm using my laptop to record and I didn't know where to put it

I'd love to get some feedback, and if it's unbearable to listen to I'll try record a better version.
Link: https://soundcloud.com/whatisthisidonteven-1/fantaisie-impromptu

[perprocrastinate]

I don't have much experience with this piece, but I'll see what pieces of advice I can offer.

The G# introductory octave in the beginning should lead smoothly into the piece without a break in sound and/or pedal. As for the rest of the section, it seems like you have the notes down, but are struggling with evenness. Some runs are done with more ease than others, but overall, I feel you have some difficulty getting this section to flow without multiple significant changes in tempo that cannot be classified as rubato. Also, you may not be connecting the end note of the previous sextuplet (left hand) with the beginning of the next sextuplet smoothly (I suspect that this is a pedaling issue), leading to minor breaks in sound, making for somewhat of a "gallop", which I'm guessing you did not intend to do.

The 'B' section of the piece is extremely relevant, and I don't think you should leave it out. It being significantly slower than the rest of the piece does not excuse it from being any less formidable in difficulty of execution or interpretation. Even considering the number of repetitions of phrases in this piece, Chopin wrote it in ternary form for a reason.

That's all I can think of right now. Good luck with the Impromptu!

[faulty_damper]

It sounds like you are only using your fingers to depress the keys.  Is your pinky curled back or raised?

[stoat_king]

I am no expert, but this is at least this is piece I can play.
Some thoughts:
- The tempo is a little uneven.
- It doesn't sound very smooth - it sounds a bit like you are struggling to play the notes at tempo so that you're 'clutching' or 'grasping' at them. Im not sure if im explaining this very well lol.
A case in point is the motif, repeated throughout the piece, that is the first bar played in the right hand. One of the notes towards the end of the bar is getting a bit lost. I cant say which one it is and it doesnt happen every time its played, but in some bars it does sound like a note is either missing or has been rushed through.
Ditto with the bit two bars later where the right hand goes a way up the keyboard.

I remember having similar problems with this piece. I found that whilst I could get to a certain standard with it fairly easily, I struggled a little to get it sounding at all smooth.
It helped me a lot to practice at different tempos - although im not sure this is wise, it definitely worked for me.

Something else that helped me was seeing a masterclass where someone said that the right hand (in the bit you have posted anyway) should sound 'like the wind in the trees'.

[teachmepiano]

I am no expert, but this is at least this is piece I can play.
Some thoughts:
- The tempo is a little uneven.
- It doesn't sound very smooth - it sounds a bit like you are struggling to play the notes at tempo so that you're 'clutching' or 'grasping' at them. Im not sure if im explaining this very well lol.
A case in point is the motif, repeated throughout the piece, that is the first bar played in the right hand. One of the notes towards the end of the bar is getting a bit lost. I cant say which one it is and it doesnt happen every time its played, but in some bars it does sound like a note is either missing or has been rushed through.
Ditto with the bit two bars later where the right hand goes a way up the keyboard.

I remember having similar problems with this piece. I found that whilst I could get to a certain standard with it fairly easily, I struggled a little to get it sounding at all smooth.
It helped me a lot to practice at different tempos - although im not sure this is wise, it definitely worked for me.

Something else that helped me was seeing a masterclass where someone said that the right hand (in the bit you have posted anyway) should sound 'like the wind in the trees'.

I've actually seen that masterclass, and that's probbly sound advice. Thanks a whole lot for pointing out those mistakes. I've actually noticed that I've been skipping the last or 2nd last note in the RH at some points and I think this is best adjusted by repeating over and over at slower tempo.

[deandeblock]

not bad for only 2 years into the piano! keep it up

[teachmepiano]

By the way, anyone knows approximately where to put my recorder (phone) to get the best quality? I know this is impossible to answer specifically, but should it be in front the piano, higher than the piano, close to a wall or whatever? I play on a grand piano in a fairly large living room.

[chopinlover01]

For the recording: Keep the recording device (which is usually not a good idea to use a phone as one) approx. 5-10 ft away from the strings until you get up to really high quality mics that are designed to be next to the strings. This will (somewhat) prevent harshness in sound quality.