Chopin fantasie impromptu op. 66

[pianoville]

I'm a piano student who have played piano for 4 years and I am looking for a new piece to play. I am thinking of a Chopin impromptu, and fantasie impromptu got me. So I'm wondering if i would be able to play it or should I pick another impromptu? Just to give you an idea of which level I am at I've just finished Pour le piano by Debussy, I'm studying the second impromptu by Chopin and also playing the first sonata by Haydn in C-major!
Btw how does L'isle Joyeuse compare to the other pieces mentioned?

[rubinsteinmad]

I'm a piano student who have played piano for 4 years and I am looking for a new piece to play. I am thinking of a Chopin impromptu, and fantasie impromptu got me. So I'm wondering if i would be able to play it or should I pick another impromptu? Just to give you an idea of which level I am at I've just finished Pour le piano by Debussy, I'm studying the second impromptu by Chopin and also playing the first sonata by Haydn in C-major!
Btw how does L'isle Joyeuse compare to the other pieces mentioned?

Don't do l'Isle joyeuse

[pencilart3]

Yes. Play it now, before you're sick of it.

[rubinsteinmad]

Fantasie Impromptu is a beautiful piece.

[chopinlover01]

Yes. Play it now, before you're sick of it.

This.

[rubinsteinmad]

This.

I'm not sick of it; I actually don't hear it played often

[adodd81802]

.

[pencilart3]

I sadly agree, as soon as the G octaves start

*G sharp

[pianoville]

I'm sorry but i havent for my question answered I'm afraid So my question is: is the fantasie impromptu a too big step and should i wait with it?
/ville

[adodd81802]

.

[pianoville]

Lol you make a fair point.

It is rather difficult yes. There is weird timing (maybe you are aware of the timing?) check the first few bars and try playing them out slowly. If you can get your head round it maybe give it a shot, but I wouldn't make it the only thing you're learning, based on the pieces you've mentioned it's quite a step up yes. Why in particular Impromptu?

Because my teacher told me to pick an impromptu. But i also play the haydn sonata i mentioned and Shchedrin two part invention
/Ville

[adodd81802]

.

[pencilart3]

Op 90 no 3 is a good Schubert one.

+1, as visitor would say.

[pianoville]

Ah OK, well what about a Schubert or Schumann Impromptu?


Op 90 no 3 is a good Schubert one.

I think Schumann has a famous one too but i can't remember it, very quick for the right hand i think triplets? I'm sure someone will know what i'm on about.

Ok, in other words, she told me to play a Chopin impromptu so ya, I'll have to choose from no. 1, 3 or 4. I actually don't like the first one but which one do you like the most of the other two?
/Ville

[pencilart3]

The first one is my favorite. Listen to yundi li play it.

[pianoville]

The first one is my favorite. Listen to yundi li play it.

Ok, i will. I actually don't like the 1st impromptu very much so i think I'll choose the 3rd or 4th, but the first is great to, just not my favorite

[ffchopinist]

I love the Fantasie Impromptu and still remember begging my childhood teacher repeatedly to let me play it when I was young until she finally agreed!  I think it was one of the first "bigger" pieces I learned back then.

I definitely recommend mastering a few of the harder Chopin nocturnes before attempting it.  It's important to get acquainted with his style, and many of his nocturnes will be a good foundation for the melodic middle section (using a singing tone for the melody is key) and for the left hand patterns.

Don't give up, though...you'll be there in no time if you keep working hard.

[pianoville]

I love the Fantasie Impromptu and still remember begging my childhood teacher repeatedly to let me play it when I was young until she finally agreed!  I think it was one of the first "bigger" pieces I learned back then.

I definitely recommend mastering a few of the harder Chopin nocturnes before attempting it.  It's important to get acquainted with his style, and many of his nocturnes will be a good foundation for the melodic middle section (using a singing tone for the melody is key) and for the left hand patterns.

Don't give up, though...you'll be there in no time if you keep working hard.

I've actually not played any of his nocturnes but I have played the op 69 no. 2 waltz and the second impromptu but do you think i should learn some nocturnes first or am I acquainted with his style already with tjoar pieces?
/ville

[CC]

It is difficult only if you don't know how to practice it, and how to get up to speed. By now, both problems have been solved, so there is no reason why you shouldn't try it.  Of course, if your level is lower, it will take longer, but all the methodologies for practicing, especially the polyrhythm, are known.  If you just start practicing it without instructions, it will seem impossibly difficult. What is so amazing about this piece is that, by using polyrhythm, Chopin found a way for you to play three times faster than your fast speed! He did an even more amazing thing. He discovered that when played too fast, this three times effect disappears. If you could play accurately at any speed, acoustics theory tells us that the ear hears a faster speed up to about 20 Hz, but above that, the "speed" transforms into a new type of sound. I doubt that even Chopin had that kind of accuracy (but I can't rule it out), but at Allegro (first section), the polyrhythm "three times" speed is below 20 Hz, so it can be heard, but at Presto (third section) it is well over 20 Hz and becomes the new sound! Note that the first section is "agitato" which is needed to hear the "three times" effect. Therefore, you need a very delicate balance between the right and left hands in the first section -- you can't just ignore the left hand, and you can't just play at any fast speed, as most "professional" recordings do.

[chopin1021]

Play it. I did and it tremendously boosted my technique and is not really difficult to play at all. Only thing to watch out for is the coda section. Once you've got the three against four rhythm. It is worth it.

[dcstudio]

this one is not nearly as hard as it looks or sounds... my rule of thumb with students playing this one is that if they can make it through the first 8 measures (after the intro)... they can play it.  If they offend my ears... we wait.  Once students conquer the first page...it's smooth sailing for the most part..

so give it a try..  some students have no trouble whatsoever with the 4 against 3..  if they have already played the Debussey Arabesque.. and conquered the 3 against 2...this is a piece of cake.  

[aweshana21]

fantasy imrpotou is a fine piece

[handz]

I really never understanded this negativity against Fantasie Impromptu... Yes it is played a lot - because it is GOOD, and still I am not overeaten from it.  Fur Elise? Yes this simple piece is typical example of something overplayed, but Impromptu is not so easy so not literally everyone is playing it, It is popular because it is a great interesting piece, sounds much more hard than it is but still it is not "kids material". Go for it, it definitely help your skillz, Polyrhytm is tricky but once you manage it, it gives you some new experience.

[CC]

PS:  Forgot to add in my previous post that I describe how to learn this piece in some detail in section (48) of my free downloadable book, see link below.

[jeffkonkol]

It's a fine piece.  I highly agree with the suggestion to work with some Nocturnes though or the middle section is just going to fall flat.  If you do like the piece, expect to come back and revisit later when your technique matures.

And with all things Chopin.... if you can't be relaxed while playing it... well... that's the problem that is likely derailing you.