Help and How long has it taken....

[SDL]

This question is for all who are learning Chopin Op 10.2.  I know this has appeared alot but I wonder how long it took you to get up to speed comfortably. Please dont refer me to previous threads because Ive read them.

Ive read many hints and tips but the only way that works for me is  what Ive discovered myself.  Many books say it takes time ... but for how long?  Richter gave up on this study.  Ive managed to get comfortably around 116 all the way through and I dont get tight hands together.  I can play RH about 120 - 138 without the chords (i.e just top line).  I have been playing the right hand differently.

1) chords drop kind of short free fall with down wrist bouncing back up with top line kind of semi-legato, and
2) then staccato flicking upwards with top line legato.

The first is more comfortable as I dont ache at all at around 116  but I cant get as legato and even as the second method.

The second I get a hint of almost getting up to speed in places (132-138) but then I get stiff in the middle section (the hardest bits!) and I tend to get more movement and drive upwards from the chords on this method, and its legato and even.

Can anyone whos done this etude see anything familiar in what Ive said and can you comment on what Im doing.  Ive done rhythms, accents etc.  The annoying thing is that some days I can go faster than others and that it doesnt feel the same all the time.  And its frustrating when I think something has changed inconsistantly.  Has anyone had similar things happen to them?

My teacher thinks I will do it and that I have the hand for this study - Ive only had one lesson on it.  But Ive been working on it for about 2-3 months self taught.  Is this a long time?

 Thanks for your help in advance

[pianowelsh]

A year + is NOT a long time for this etude! Keep persisting! and enjoy it

[SDL]

Thanks pianowelsh.  I take it you've succeeded then? Have you done 10.1?

[BoliverAllmon]

One of my teachers played op. 10 for his doctoral recital. He said that he worked on the set for 10 years. He worked on each etude individually for nearly a year to get it where he wanted it. So it can take some time.

[SDL]

Wow thats a long time!  Ive learnt about 7 over the years but I was also quite junior in technique at the time.  Im determined with these though.  I bought my henle version in 1988 2 years after Id started and was doing my grade7 thinking this Chop-pin looks ok.  Little did I know!!

[keys]

I started working on Op10/7 in September and performed it yesterday. It still had a couple of rough patches but it's up to speed a reasonably accurate. I found the key was 'dramatic practice'. Slow practice got me no where. Play the Etude as a caricature of its self, over emphasize dynamics and expression. It helped me find the correct movements and it's fun to play.

[SDL]

I read Chang's Piano technique book - its interesting what he has to say about slow practice. - that you have to speed it up just to get an idea of how the arm/wrist movements need to be at speed then practicing them slower.

I know Im on the right track now anyway but its takes longer than I thought.  I got 10.8 up to speed in 2 months previously, and 10.12 about a month although I think these are easier.

[keys]

oops. I ment Op. 10/8. You'd think after six months I could at least remember the bloody number