im begginer what should i improve in my chopin waltz op 64 no 2 in c sharp minor

[luk0ss]

Hello everyone! I'm playing piano for about 10 months so i'm pretty much of a begginer. i have learned this waltz in c sharp minor op 64 no 2. can you tell me what i need to improve or what i need to work on? i wanna know if i play this right. down below is a recording of me playing this piece, so listen and enjoy!

[droprenstein]

I'd usually say to avoid Chopin until you've been playing for a year and a half or so, but not too bad for someone who's been playing for only 10 months. Still wouldn't recommend it, but not bad. Some things though:
Your quavers(8th notes) aren't even. For example, measure 10 to 16 in my edition is very uneven, noticeably syncopated. This becomes even more noticeable in the more difficult passages, like measure 33 to 47, where you gradually accelerate(some accelerando is acceptable, but not that much), and there is syncopation. Practice slowly with a metronome and ensure all your quavers are even.
Your grace notes are pretty sloppy. I don't really have advice for this, just more slow practice with only speeding up the grace notes, ensuring it is clean and doesn't blend with the following chord. That's what helped me with my grace notes, though it might have only worked for me.
You have a bit of a problem with dynamic control. Dynamics are important, especially in Chopin and romantic era music in general. There are several exercises out there for dynamics. I learned dynamic control by playing scales in contrasting dynamics, fortissimo to pianissimo, starting at different points in the scale.
All in all, not bad. I'd suggest learning some easy Chopin Preludes, like that in C minor, A major, or B minor, to build up a better understanding and technical foundation to play 64/2 better.
One last thing. You could use the damper pedal to better effect. Don't overdo it, but some pedal doesn't hurt in romantic era music.

[victoriachan]

Wow that's great. I am a beginner too, I got my piano in March this year. I have been eyeing on this waltz  as it's always been one of my favourites. But decided to work on Waltz in B Minor (no. 69) first as that is easier, and seemed a natural progression after Chopin Waltz in A minor (posthumous) which I had learnt earlier. Your progress is very encouraging!

If you don't mind my non-expert comments, here are just some quick impressions:

1. Your 'section A' is really great and smooth and can hardly tell you're a beginner/amateur, but the other sections are more awkward. I wonder if you often start your practice by playing from the beginning? It might be good to just focus on the sections you are less familiar with. Graham Fitch suggested you could start at middle bars, or even work backwards, just to jiggle things up a bit.

2. Secondly, the fast bit is too fast. Even with Rubato, it is too uneven. You should still be able to count the beats, even with rubato. You can listen to your recording and tap along to it, and it should still be fairly smooth, and even it varies, it should be like an elastic band, stretching and pulling, but not abruptly change. Have you heard the recordings played by Rachmaninoff? It is marvellous!

Keep up the great work! 

[luk0ss]

thank you soo much for your advice! is section "A" the quickest section in this piece? im sorry for asking but i cant read music and i learn to play from some youtube tutorials.