Assistance with arpeggio section in Harmonies du Soir

[ialaban]

Greetings, fellow pianists. I greatly struggle with the arpeggio section in Harmonies du Soir, measures 21-29. I find myself stretching my hands a lot, and I can't really seem to achieve the volume or control I want. Additionally I often miss notes and feel very insecure with this passage. Any tips?

[thorn]

When I studied this piece I practiced this section using Cortot's exercises for Chopin's Op.10 No.11 as it's the exact same technique. It helped a lot. Cortot-Chopin editions are not difficult to find online, some are only in French but the Etudes definitely have English translations as that's what I worked from!

[lelle]

Don't stretch out your fingers, rather keep them quite relaxed and natural. Use your arm to bring your finger to each key so you don't have to stretch out. Relax the finger that has already played a note in the arpeggio, no need to keep them stretched out after that.

[jamienc]

Don't stretch out your fingers, rather keep them quite relaxed and natural. Use your arm to bring your finger to each key so you don't have to stretch out. Relax the finger that has already played a note in the arpeggio, no need to keep them stretched out after that.

100% this ☝️

[lostinidlewonder]

Play the passage with only the outer notes of each hand and then add the middle notes once that is secure.

[ialaban]

Don't stretch out your fingers, rather keep them quite relaxed and natural. Use your arm to bring your finger to each key so you don't have to stretch out. Relax the finger that has already played a note in the arpeggio, no need to keep them stretched out after that.

How would I do that? Each arpeggio for my hands requires a degree of stretching if I want to play them quickly.

[ialaban]

Don't stretch out your fingers, rather keep them quite relaxed and natural. Use your arm to bring your finger to each key so you don't have to stretch out. Relax the finger that has already played a note in the arpeggio, no need to keep them stretched out after that.

Like this?