Chopin Ballade No 2 - how to start practice of fast sections

[warrenm]

Though I'm in my 60s, my skill level is only modest (and my hands are fairly small). How do I approach the fast sections of Chopin's 2nd Ballade?

[zoetrope]

I'm also working on this piece and not a teacher or anything like that (also modest skill level and also small hands), but one thing that helped me especially for the first part with the big leaps was practicing with my eyes closed. Other than that just lots of metronome practice, hands separately then together, etc.

[anacrusis]

It's a tricky piece. In my experience all piano playing, and particularly Chopin, becomes easier if to make sure that you are avoiding any stiffening of your wrist or fingers as you play, and that you feel calm and at ease when you practise. (Check that the non-playing fingers of your right hand always stay completely relaxed with your left hand, for example, while you practise the right hand, and vice versa).

Are there any particular things in that part you have questions about?