Chopin Etudes

[schubert960]

Hi everyone.

I'm taking a year out between my Bachelor's and Master's. In that time I really want to do a lot of work on my technical shortcomings. I'm looking for quite a concise way to do this, and I'm quite enthused by the prospect of working through all of Chopin's etudes and learning them to a performable standard. I've played 8 of them so far over the last four years or so.

I feel this will be a worthwhile investment of my time, but I'm looking for opinions from people who've maybe learnt all the Chopin etudes and/or performed them and whether you feel they were beneficial to you, or whether maybe there is maybe a more concise way to gain this kind of technical facility.

Thanks!

[pianoville]

I learned some of time. They didn't do much for my technique (apart from maybe op 25 no 6) but least they sound nice! For me technique comes with time and I don't like working on just technique (which is why I have never played any Hanon), although I think my technique developed a lot when learning the solo transcription of La Valse. That piece uses a lot of different techniques and not only that but it is a masterpiece too! If you want to develop techinique you should take a look at it.

[anaimadureira]

Personally, I think you should invest and work daily, paciently, and rigorously Czerny's op. 740. In my first year of graduate, my piano teacher made me work only 5 of those studies and they really improved my technique.

I also think that Bach's keyboard works are the solver of many technique problems. To me, Bach represents the great sum of piano playing. His musique contains the all physical and dynamical movements. Start in the inventions at 2 and 3 voices, and keep going until the WTC and keyboard concertos.

In my opinion, these are the two great basis where you could start

[klavieronin]

I've heard it said that Liszt studies are for building technique, Chopin studies are for when you already have it. I can't personally vouch for the validity of that but thought I would mention it anyway.

[marik1]

Hi everyone.

I'm taking a year out between my Bachelor's and Master's. In that time I really want to do a lot of work on my technical shortcomings. I'm looking for quite a concise way to do this, and I'm quite enthused by the prospect of working through all of Chopin's etudes and learning them to a performable standard. I've played 8 of them so far over the last four years or so.

I feel this will be a worthwhile investment of my time, but I'm looking for opinions from people who've maybe learnt all the Chopin etudes and/or performed them and whether you feel they were beneficial to you, or whether maybe there is maybe a more concise way to gain this kind of technical facility.

Thanks!

I think this kind of question is the best to address to your teacher, who knows your strengths and weaknesses. Also, you do not list the etudes you already played. Not all of them were "designed to build" technique, however, in broader sense since technique is an art of sound and its production, so of course, they are very helpful.

If you think of improving your technical facilities I'd suggest to look at Czerny etudes--first, there are plenty on each imaginable type of technique, and also--a beautifully played Czerny etude is a great indication of real pianistic mastery.

Best, M

[tenk]

I also think that Bach's keyboard works are the solver of many technique problems. To me, Bach represents the great sum of piano playing. His musique contains the all physical and dynamical movements. Start in the inventions at 2 and 3 voices, and keep going until the WTC and keyboard concertos.

In my opinion, these are the two great basis where you could start

These are wise words, and I agree 100%. WTC especially highlights so many different technical challenges while still being beautiful music. Bach can be frustratingly slow to learn, but it is time well spent and pays big dividends for your technique.

[chopinlover01]

First step is to identify what technical problems you actually have.

None of these are going to help if you don't have a diagnoses. Imagine going to a doctor and asking for health advice without giving them any issues - general stuff like eat better, more exercise would be given, but nothing out of the ordinary.

[brogers70]

Personally, I think you should invest and work daily, paciently, and rigorously Czerny's op. 740. In my first year of graduate, my piano teacher made me work only 5 of those studies and they really improved my technique.

I've been having a similar experience with Czerny. I'm finding that working over the long term on a handful of his etudes identifies problems with my technique and then helps fix them. Can't say I really like them musically, but they're better than Hanon.

[marik1]

Can't say I really like them musically, but they're better than Hanon.

There are quite a few real gems there. Also, it really depends on the performance--what can be fresher than a beautifully played Czerny, Schlozer, or Moszkowsky etudes:

Best, M

[pianoplayer002]

I second Czerny, Mozskowski etc. I embarked on a quest to learn all of the Chopin etudes a few years ago and what I realized after a while was that my time was better spent working on the basics first. If I couldn't do Czerny with beauty and ease, then why the hell was I bothering with the Chopin etudes?

You have to learn to walk before you can run.

[ahinton]

I've heard it said that Liszt studies are for building technique, Chopin studies are for when you already have it. I can't personally vouch for the validity of that but thought I would mention it anyway.

It's an interesting thought but I don't think that it's as simple as that, not least because both Liszt's and Chopin's études (and Alkan's for that matter) have both a pedagogical and a concert existence, which is more than can be said for Czerny's, for example; that said, I do think that the influence of Chopin upon Liszt and Alkan at various times was probably somewhat greater than the influence of either of them upon him, for what that may or may not be worth in this context (and it's worth nothing that not only did Liszt play Chopin's études but Alkan, towards the end of his life when he resumed giving performances, made a point of playing works by his old friend Chopin).

Best,

Alistair

[visitor]

*sigh.... Arensky, money on the table man, ignoring these is just leaving good money on the table.