AM I READY?

[anounymousbutknown]

Hello! I am 12 years old and have been playing piano for 2-3 years. I am Grade 3-4 but I have learnt numerous pieces above my level. I want to learn BALLADE NO.1 OPUS 23 by CHOPIN. Do you think it is possible for me to play it?

[lelle]

It's a very hard piece to play after just 2-3 years! It also depends a bit on how big your hands are at the moment. But I would say, don't expect to play it well or fast. You might enjoy playing some of the slower bits but the fast parts are unlikely to be playable anywhere near full speed.

[transitional]

I mean this piece is grade 8+ so it'll a long time for you. You might be able to play some of the slower/technically easier parts if you really like the piece. In the meantime, why not try some of the easier mazurkas/nocturnes/preludes first?

The most useful thing, though, is always trying it for yourself, or asking your teacher.

[jaquet]

Hey dude, i learnt this piece after about a year of learning when i was 14. Just a few points you should adhere to. Learn this slowly, study fingerings(PLEASE) i didnt do this and had some almost impossible fingerings for the meno mosso part which made it sound terrible. I had to eventually relearn maybe 60% of the piece half a year later. Dont rush at all when practicing, and please ask your teacher when you get stuck. I personally wouldnt recommend to learn this first but you could do it just with time and patience. I would reccomend learning maybe some chopin waltzes before hand. Good luck

[ravelfan07]

Hello! I am 12 years old and have been playing piano for 2-3 years. I am Grade 3-4 but I have learnt numerous pieces above my level. I want to learn BALLADE NO.1 OPUS 23 by CHOPIN. Do you think it is possible for me to play it?

Hmmm
Probably everything except the final coda
What is your repertoire?

[iamdopeuarenope]

Hmmm
Probably everything except the final coda
What is your repertoire?

The transitional phases are by themselves 8+ and the main melody sections are also very hard at at least 8
in terms of ABRSM levels at least

[iamdopeuarenope]

Definitely not yet!
You should try to be AT LEAST playing at ABRSM 8 level to even try to attempt the harder sections (Such as the scherzi/coda)
I would say learn some of his other pieces before trying this (Maybe one of his etudes, nocturnes, watz's, polonaises, etc.)

You could still attempt this but it will be very hard to play well.

[liszt-and-the-galops]

Hello! I am 12 years old and have been playing piano for 2-3 years. I am Grade 3-4 but I have learnt numerous pieces above my level. I want to learn BALLADE NO.1 OPUS 23 by CHOPIN. Do you think it is possible for me to play it?

In case you're somehow still here...
Can you tell us what pieces you've learned that are "above your level?" It would also be nice if you could give some examples of pieces that are at your level that you've learned. I'm almost entirely self-taught, so I'm not familiar with the grade-level system. If you give some of that info, we can make much more accurate guesses as to whether or not you can actually learn it.

[iamdopeuarenope]

In case you're somehow still here...
Can you tell us what pieces you've learned that are "above your level?" It would also be nice if you could give some examples of pieces that are at your level that you've learned. I'm almost entirely self-taught, so I'm not familiar with the grade-level system. If you give some of that info, we can make much more accurate guesses as to whether or not you can actually learn it.

A level 3 (assuming abrsm) would be something like "The Entertainer" - Joplin

Unless they're playing like 5 levels above that, they are most certainly not ready!

[pianistavt]

It would be fun to know how many posts there are in here by piano students (or potential students) who want to know if they are ready for Chopin Ballade 1...   I'm willing to bet over 50.  Really, there should be just one post for this, pinned, so  they can each add their list of completed pieces, read & learn from the prior discussions...

[liszt-and-the-galops]

It would be fun to know how many posts there are in here by piano students (or prospective students) who want to know if they are ready for Chopin Ballade 1...   I'm willing to bet over 50.  Really, there should be just one post for this, pinned, so  they can each add their list of completed pieces, read & learn from the prior discussions, and make an educated guess ...

That seems like a good idea. Should we message nils?