Which chopin etude next?

[expressman70]

Hello all,

I am currently studying op 10 n11 and op25 1. I have learnt 25 12 earlier and it is in pretty good condition. Which of these do you think is most beneficial to learn, and are useful in general?

Op10 1
Op 10 4
op10 5
op10 2

Thank you !

My other rep at the moment is Gm ballade Chopin, Rach concerto 2 mv1
debussy tocatta plp.

[chopinawesome]

If you can play that ballade up to tempo and musically well, you shouldn't have a problem with the first three etudes you listed. Also have a look at Op.25/6 and 25/10, which are easier than Op.10/2(probably not  OP.25/10).However, if you can play Op.10/11 without much trouble, go for OP.25/10. The Preludes are also very essential. I would recommend :
Etude 10/4
Etude 25/6
Etude 25/10
Prelude 28/1-12
Prelude 13
Prelude 14-24
Nocturne 48/1
Nocturne 62/1(Trills)
Waltz 34/3( Just for fun and nice to play)
Mazurka 50/3(Coda)
Mazurkas Op.56(Very nice set,no.1 helps with sixths and no.2 helps with trills)
Polonaise Op.44(You should try this out)
Sonata Op.35(Might be a little too difficult, but worth playing)
Sonata Op.58
Fantasy Op.49
Scherzo Op.20
Scherzo Op.54
Barcarolle O.60

Sorry I mentioned other pieces besides the etudes.

[xdjuicebox]

Learn all of them! Plus the rest in both sets!

[jimroof]

Also have a look at Op.25/6 and 25/10, which are easier than Op.10/2

I am working on both 25/6 and 10/2.

10/2 is a walk in the park compared to 25/6.

[preludetr]

I am working on both 25/6 and 10/2.

10/2 is a walk in the park compared to 25/6.

This is the kind of thing which depends entirely on your individual strengths and weaknesses. It does seem like most pianists would say that either 10/2, 25/6 or 25/11 is the hardest.

[kawai_cs]

I knew this topic would eventually turn into "which one is harder" showdown. lol

[chopinawesome]

I am working on both 25/6 and 10/2.

10/2 is a walk in the park compared to 25/6.

Not for me. I am not saying I can play either one of these etudes, but playing that chromatic scale with my weakest fingers(3,4 and 5) is my nightmare. Not saying 25/6 is not hard, but Op.10/2 looks scarier to me.

[jimroof]

Not for me. I am not saying I can play either one of these etudes, but playing that chromatic scale with my weakest fingers(3,4 and 5) is my nightmare. Not saying 25/6 is not hard, but Op.10/2 looks scarier to me.

I think it might be wise to hold off on assigning levels of difficulty until you have spent some quality time with them.  They are both devilishly difficult, but think about it for a second...

10/2 has the weak fingers playing single note 16th's while 1 and 2 pluck quarter notes along the way, as compared to 25/6 that has BOTH weak and strong fingers playing 16th's.  10/2 requires a little more in the way of overall hand flexibility, but 25/6 is simply a nightmare of coordination between the sides of the hands.  Add to that also is the fact that 10/2 has a left hand part that anyone can play while 25/6 left hand is probably 3 to 4 times more difficult and open to musical expression or lack thereof.

Put it another way... show me ten pianists who can play 25/6 and I will guarantee you that 9 and a half them are fully capable of handing 10/2.  Give me ten who can play 10/2 and half of them will likely struggle mightily and never get 25/6.

As for those that 'knew this would devolve into which one is harder'.  That is sort of the whole point of this topic - which one should I try next.  Difficulty CERTAINLY is a consideration in that question.

To the OP's direct question - 10/4.  That is a very well-rounded etude that works multiple sets of skills with each hand.  You get some arpeggios from 10/1 (but not a ton), some weak finger work for the right hand (think 10/2) and overall velocity building.  10/1 is a whole lot of the same thing and your left hand will gain next to nothing from it.  My vote - 10/4

[visitor]

Op should probably circle back and knock out the three novelles. Lump them togerher and treat em as one long 7 minute etude.  Lots of benefits  to be had from nailing these down before moving on

[piulento]

Considering the three etudes you mentioned, I think these might be beneficial for you (as a good techincal contrast):
10/7
10/8
10/10
10/12
(dunno why they're all op. 10 somehow)

[chopinlover01]

IMO Winter wind is a piece that isn't terribly difficult mechanically to play; it's real difficulty lies in balance and making it sound as if it's the easiest thing in the world. The sextuplets really aren't hard, but the natural tendency is to display the showy bit while letting the theme just kind of turn to mush.
As for the next etude, I'd also cast my vote for Op. 10 #4. Though, if your LH is weak, definitely consider Op. 10 #9.

[chopinawesome]

IMO Winter wind is a piece that isn't terribly difficult mechanically to play; it's real difficulty lies in balance and making it sound as if it's the easiest thing in the world. The sextuplets really aren't hard, but the natural tendency is to display the showy bit while letting the theme just kind of turn to mush.
As for the next etude, I'd also cast my vote for Op. 10 #4. Though, if your LH is weak, definitely consider Op. 10 #9.

You can play winter wind and Op.58 mvt 4?? How is it going?

[chopinlover01]

You can play winter wind and Op.58 mvt 4?? How is it going?

They're both huge works-in-progress. I wouldn't say they're anywhere near where I can "play" them to any reasonable standard, but I can definitely say that the sonata movement is FAR more difficult.

[briansaddleback]

I knew this topic would eventually turn into "which one is harder" showdown. lol

Yours is harder than mine at this point.