question in Op. 10 no. 11

[pianiststrongbad]

I have a question about a type of notation that I have seen in other places but it hit me today that I should figure out how to actually play this.  In the 2nd full bar of op. 10 no. 11 (https://muslib.mmv.ru/piano/chopin_etude11.pdf) there is an Ab in the right hand with a line going to the D and then another line going to an A natural.  This same idea occurs in measure 6 and several other places.  My question is how do i play this.  Up until this point everything has just been rolled chords.  Do i play the Ab first, then the D and then the A natural?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks

[steinwayguy]

The reason is because you can't write an Ab and an A on the same stem if they are only a half step away from each other. You should play them just the same as all of the other chords.

[SteinwayTony]

The reason is because you can't write an Ab and an A on the same stem if they are only a half step away from each other. You should play them just the same as all of the other chords.

I've seen it done.  In my Alfred () edition of the Chopin Ballades.  It sort of resembles an upside-down 'V.'

[Goldberg]

Hah! Yes!! ALFRED!! 

(that's what I've got for the etudes, and yeah they do the V thing there too)

Great piece, by the way. That's always been one of my favourite etudes.

[pianiststrongbad]

Thanks for the advice.  This is one of my favourite etudes also.  Ive decided that my new project is to learn all of opus 10 in two years.   

[Goldberg]

Not a bad idea in the least! Very doable and certainly rewarding; you may even find time to poke your nose into op. 25 before two years is up, as well.

It's funny you mention it though, because I JUST finished (literally, not even a minute ago) outlining a 95% satisfactory (I might end up chopping a few pieces off or adding one or two) list of things that I'd like to do in two years...last I checked the total came close to 850 pages of music and about 600 minutes in duration, in a very rough calculation!! But most of it isn't as demanding as the Chopin etudes (some of it is nearly impossible though, heh, like for instance the Cziffra transcription of Sabre Danse). It's always imperative, I think, to have written goals and an organised schedule to guide you, even if it isn't followed 100% all the time.

[nanabush]

Whoa...Is that one of the harder etudes?  It doesn't look like it's easy at all...