Chopin Etude

[chopinawesome]

Hi,
I have been given the choice to play one of these etudes:
OP.10
no.9,12
OP.25
no.2 and 7

How would you rank them in difficulty?
People say Op.10 no.9 is easier than Op.25/2 but I think Op.10 no.9 is a little harder than Op.25 no.2 because of the 10ths.
Anyways,which piece would you recommend?

[pencilart3]

Easiest

25/2
10/12
25/7
10/9

Hardest

[chopinawesome]

Hi pencilart3!
 Have you played any of the etudes I mentioned? If you did, please tell me which piece was the most fun to play.

[virtuoso80]

Op. 25, No. 2 is your best bet I think. Usually considered the easiest 'fast' Etude.

Op. 25, No. 7 is a piece I am never happy with because I'm always wanting the phrasing and balance of the melodies to be better. So to me it's actually one of the more stressful ones.

Op. 10, No. 9 If the left hand leaps are a newer thing for you, it's doubtful you'll have this sounding right in a short time. So maybe not.

Op. 10, No. 12 If I were your teacher, I definitely wouldn't give this to you first. But it's not the worst either, and probably the most fun, which you asked.

The first one I learned was Op. 10, No. 3, which is not unusual. Next were Op. 25, No. 9 & 12, then Op. 10, No. 9. After that a few others started to fall concurrently. Op. 10, No. 2 and Op. 25, No. 3 are still avoided. 

[chopinlover01]

It's completely dependent on your strengths. As nice as P3's list looks to the eye, it unfortunately falls victim to individualism- for instance, I'm working on 10/9 right now, and it's going rather well. However, I wouldn't want to touch the revolutionary.

[piulento]

Hi there!
From easiest to hardest (at least for me):
10/9 - easiest. It's quite approachable technically (don't let those 10ths fool you) and really understandable musically.
25/2 - There isn't much more to it than playing it in proper tempo and keeping the sound clear and well phrased.
25/7 - requires a bit more musical maturity. If you go to youtube and listen to amateur pianists play it, you'll find plenty of bad renditions, because people don't understand how the piece works. It's also harder to figure out what you're doing wrong when problems come up.
10/12 - hardest one here. It's really difficult playing it well (without making it sound like a lump of garbage) and it's also really well known, so you need to find a way to make it unique to you.
If I may recommend one more etude which is a great "first etude" - 25/9. It's fun to learn, very approachable and it's a real crowd pleaser.
Best of luck!

[pencilart3]

I found 10/12 quite manageable after ~ 3 weeks, and 10/9 was simply a no.

[ahinton]

The easiet études in Chopin's Opp. 10 and 25 are those from no. 13 onwards in each case; the others are replete with immense difficulties, for all that the pieces themselves and the efforts to overcome those difficulties can be so very rewarding...

Best,

Alistair

[chopinlover01]

I found 10/12 quite manageable after ~ 3 weeks, and 10/9 was simply a no.

And again, here we have the individual's strengths taking a role more vital than anything else.

[chopinawesome]

op.10/12 sounds very hard and op.10/9 sounds easy.

[pencilart3]

sounds

Ahh, the key word. Playing 10/9 at 3/4 tempo is like twinkle. Playing it at full tempo is like brimstone. I don't have very big hands. IDK. As Harison has been repeating, it is completely subjective. Good luck, let us know which one you choose!

[chopinawesome]

OK  !

[briansaddleback]

Hi,
I have been given the choice to play one of these etudes:
OP.10
no.9,12
OP.25
no.2 and 7

What is your time frame for performance? If it is anything less than several months, I dont think any of these will do. You want to respect the music and the audience. They all take time to mature.

But for learning the notes and the technical aspects of the etudes:
25-2 is easiest.  I have practiced this one, there is no real issue with this one if you are technically sound with rhythm and scalar passages. This is the exception perhaps. You can perform this in a couple of months.

10-9 is a good piece for the left hand in how to accomodate some of those distances. I work the Cortot suggestion of using alternate fingering (i.e. 5 3 in most cases) but because I also practice classical guitar, I try to work it in the original Chopin suggestion of using 5 and 4.
It is musically expressive and that is the part you need to really focus on in this one. Imagine an operatic singer or just sing or hum it to yourself it can help.


10-12 revolutionary I have learned the notes quickly as most will say, but even to this to this day there is ton of difficult spots and is technically difficult at high tempo. It is a piece of cake at a lower tempo.  It still, provided you concentrate on the musicality, can work at slower tempo it is entertaining to hear still if worked out well. This is one fun etude to practice and play. Never get sick of it. Musically you really need to watch out voicing of the actual melody apart from the rummaging of the left hand fingers. Many students do not delineate out this.

25-7 sorry but it puts me to sleep. Bores me. Never tried it.

[chopinlover01]

I must say, 25-7 is IMO the most beautiful etude of the set. Don't know how one could sleep through it.

[pencilart3]

It is beautiful, but a bit too long for my taste. I think it should be like 3 - 3.5 minutes. It is an etude, after all. I think 25/5 is the most beautiful

[chopinlover01]

Oh contrare, my friend.

[chopinawesome]

What is your time frame for performance? If it is anything less than several months, I dont think any of these will do. You want to respect the music and the audience. They all take time to mature.

But for learning the notes and the technical aspects of the etudes:
25-2 is easiest.  I have practiced this one, there is no real issue with this one if you are technically sound with rhythm and scalar passages. This is the exception perhaps. You can perform this in a couple of months.

10-9 is a good piece for the left hand in how to accomodate some of those distances. I work the Cortot suggestion of using alternate fingering (i.e. 5 3 in most cases) but because I also practice classical guitar, I try to work it in the original Chopin suggestion of using 5 and 4.
It is musically expressive and that is the part you need to really focus on in this one. Imagine an operatic singer or just sing or hum it to yourself it can help.


10-12 revolutionary I have learned the notes quickly as most will say, but even to this to this day there is ton of difficult spots and is technically difficult at high tempo. It is a piece of cake at a lower tempo.  It still, provided you concentrate on the musicality, can work at slower tempo it is entertaining to hear still if worked out well. This is one fun etude to practice and play. Never get sick of it. Musically you really need to watch out voicing of the actual melody apart from the rummaging of the left hand fingers. Many students do not delineate out this.

25-7 sorry but it puts me to sleep. Bores me. Never tried it.

I have 9 months to a year.

[chopinawesome]

How hard is Op.25/5? It is my favorite etude after Op.25/1.

[pencilart3]

One of the "easiest". I highly recommend. Great first Chopin etude.

[chopinlover01]

Ehh, it's not particularly ridiculous, but the middle section can trip you up. The outer sections aren't tough, but the E major runs in the RH are hard.

[symphonicdance]

Interesting...  Op 10 No 3 and Op 25 No 1 weren't given as choices to OP.

[pencilart3]

10/3 is quite difficult...

[oldave]

Check out Paul Barton Piano on YouTube. He has 2 videos of 25/2 tutorials. The first is why you should do it first, and the 2nd is a 45 minute tutorial on how to practice it.  Do you have the Cortot edition? He talks about the exercises and how to get the most from them, and many other practice and performance methods. Well worth a look. Good luck!

[briansaddleback]

I have 9 months to a year.

Then any one of these will do for you to bring up to a very respectable musical performance in front of venerable audience members well-attune to classical music and Chopin.

I really suggest then to go for most bang for your buck and learn Revolutionary. It is an etude furious and musically difficult (and technically), you can always learn more from it each time you rework it, comprises difficulties you need to overcome in variety of technical issues, it is cherished and applauded the world over always turns heads, and most importantly , very fun to play. You will have a blast with this one.

If there is any one etude from your list to be married to for a year, it would be Revolutionary. I don't know how the one dimensional 25-2 and 10-9 would make you feel two months into it.

[chopinawesome]

Is Op.25/5 harder than Revolutionary? Is Op.10/3 harder than Op.25/5?

[pencilart3]

Is Op.25/5 harder than Revolutionary? Is Op.10/3 harder than Op.25/5?

In my opinion, it would be something like

E

10/12
25/5
10/3

H

But again, it is completely subjective. These three are some of the closest in difficulty, in my opinion, but 10/3 has significant musical challenges that 10/12 does not. And the middle section of 10/3 is harder than the middle section of 25/5, again Imo

[chopinawesome]

Isn't Revolution harder than Wrong Notes? I am thinking of doing Wrong Notes because it is in moderate tempo.

[chopinawesome]

Isn't Revolution harder than Wrong Notes? I am thinking of doing Wrong Notes because it is in moderate tempo.

Revolution I think is harder for me because I am right-handed and long passages are not my thing. The middle section of Wrong Notes is OK because right hand passages are easier for me.

[pencilart3]

I am right handed also. Very right handed. Quick runs and finger dexterity/flexibility are very easy to me. But that's why I said it is different for everyone. I also pointed out that these are very similar in difficulty so the first 6 people you ask may have a different lineup Wrong notes is in my top 3!! You should play it and be sure to upload it!

[chopinawesome]

Sure!
What was the first etude you played?

[pencilart3]

Sure!
What was the first etude you played?

Haha, you make it sound like I'm some pro! I'm actually 16. The first one I did was 10/5, it's on youtube. You can follow the link below. Then I did 25/6....

[alice_park]

In my opinion, the 10/12 would be a good choice on such time frame; though, my favorite is 25/5. Good luck!

[bachopiev]

EASIEST

Op. 10, No. 9 [This one is all just left hand extensions. Tons of left hand stuff.]
Op. 10, No. 12 [Again, this is an etude for the LH.]
Op. 25 No. 7 [This etude focuses not on virtuosity, but rather on producing a gorgeous sound, like 10/3. This one would be perfect if you're looking for something slow and beautiful.]
Op. 25 No. 2 [If, as indicated earlier, you're a right hand specialist, then this one would definitely be easiest, as it focuses almost entirely on the RH. However, for most people, I would assert with some reservation that this is the hardest]

HARDEST

-----

LEAST FUN (Disclaimer: Extremely Subjective; the opinions here are the opinions of bachopiev and not necessarily of pianostreet.com)

Op. 25 No. 2 [Though this one is fast, and virtuosic, it has never really seized me. I love every single one of Chopin's 24 etudes, but out of this bunch, this one grabs me the least.]
Op. 25 No. 7 [Heart-wrenching, gorgeous gorgeous etude. The fact that this does not make the top just goes to show how wonderful Chopin is. This one is a true delight to play -- not a delight in virtuosity, but a delight in profundity.]
Op. 10 No. 9 [An absolute delight to play. One of my favorite things about this etude is the delightful amount of rubato one can employ, and the liberty the pianist has when performing the etude.]
Op. 10 No. 12 [Absolutely incredible and exhilarating to play.]

MOST FUN

[anamnesis]

To be honest, none of these would be my first choice to give a student. 

[pencilart3]

Op. 25 No. 2 [Though this one is fast, and virtuosic, it has never really seized me. I love every single one of Chopin's 24 etudes, but out of this bunch, this one grabs me the least.]

25/2 is in my top 5.

[chopinawesome]

My teacher wants me to do Op.10/5,too because she says that I helps me get used to black keys.

[pencilart3]

Hey! That was my first one