Learning Chopin Opus 25 Ab Etude (no. 1) “Aeolian Harp”

[roxoco]

Hi - I am starting to work on learning this piece. I see numerous posts saying to start out with minimal pedal (to improve articulation) but also that attaining the legato sound and light touch in the arpeggios is very important. But with the large LH jumps how is it possible to get legato in the LH (or RH for that matter) without pedal?

I guess I'm asking what's the recommended practice techniques sequence to learn this piece well. Slow and no pedal first to get the arpeggios learned then pedal with legato practice?

Also what is a recommended tempo to use when getting started and getting the arpeggios learned?

Thanks
David

[kevonthegreatpianist]

hmmm. i never played this piece before, but you should play the left hand in a slow speed. I mean, even Rachminoff can't stretch two octaves.

Op.25 No.1 is one of Chopin's easier etudes, so I think you could master this fairly fast. I recommend half speed to practice the apreggios.

[roxoco]

ok - thanks for the advice. Its actually the first Chopin etude I've attempted although I play some of the nocturnes and waltzes. At this early stage of learning it seems quite daunting and so thanks for the vote of confidence. The piece is very beautiful and that's the main reason I want to learn it.

[hardy_practice]

The key is to play the big notes with your arm/little notes with your fingers.

[michael_c]

Hi - I am starting to work on learning this piece. I see numerous posts saying to start out with minimal pedal (to improve articulation) but also that attaining the legato sound and light touch in the arpeggios is very important. But with the large LH jumps how is it possible to get legato in the LH (or RH for that matter) without pedal?

It isn't. Don't waste your time trying to achieve the impossible.

Learn the piece with pedal, giving the utmost attention to how you think it should sound and how it actually sounds. By all means practice passages without pedal, in order to make sure that everything is clean, but when playing without pedal don't try to make an impossible legato.

[roxoco]

Ok - thanks. That helps a lot. I'll give it a try.

[kevonthegreatpianist]

It isn't. Don't waste your time trying to achieve the impossible.

Learn the piece with pedal, giving the utmost attention to how you think it should sound and how it actually sounds. By all means practice passages without pedal, in order to make sure that everything is clean, but when playing without pedal don't try to make an impossible legato.

This is one of Chopin's easier etudes, but there are massive leaps in both the left and right hand. I recommend Chopin's Op.10 No.9 before you learn this. At least only the left hand in that etude has leaps.