Piano Forum

I've been playing this étude for probably 3 years now. It didn't take long to get the notes in my fingers but we all know most mortals will be studying these etudes for a lifetime and probably never be content.

My issue is playing at the proper tempo. I can generally get the sounds and voices at tempo right but doing so my forearm nearly cramps up by the end. By the time I get to 1:20ish I am fatigued. I have this issue with a couple other pieces I've learned which are much longer and admittedly above my level (feinberg arrangement of Tchaikovsky 6th symphony) but it's concerning I haven't figured this one out in 3 years as it's not particularly difficult since the technique is pretty much the same throughout. I think a lot of it has to do with the stress I put on my 5th finger. I understand the concept of expanding and contracting but I can't seem to do it properly. I think it is the movement going up that causes the fatigue.

I don't care about the tempo being 200 bpm or whatever it's supposed to be but I hate the fact I haven't learned how to make it sound great AND play ergonomically. I can sacrifice the sound and roll the arpeggios like chords without tension and I think a lot of pianists do this but I think it creates a horrible end product that sounds mechanical and broken. I'm much happier with a performance that sounds okay with searing forearm than one that sounds poor with no discomfort...

Being mainly self taught, it is frustrating to not have the technical insights a great teacher could give. Perhaps there's someone here who can give me some pointers I can try in practice or change my viewpoint on the piece? Not sure if it's at all relevant but I can comfortably reach a 9th. It makes the 10th and 11th arpeggios a bit awkward even with arm movement and expansion/contraction. I have no discomfort with the 9ths or 12s.

I welcome any discussion on the piece and would especially be thankful for any technical advice especially having to do with the ergonomics.  On a corollary, I have mad respect for anyone who can play op 10 no 2 right after this one.