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Hi everyone!

Is anyone learning, or learnt or taught the Chopin's "Ballade in G minor" (no.1)
It is my all time favorite piece!! I am in the midst of learning it, (its so long...goes for 10 mins on my CD)
For all who have learnt it before etc:
What is it that you find difficult about the piece, what technique is required to learn it, and how long does it take to learn approx.???

Take care...

It's a good piece. However, I find it doesn't have the subtle refined feeling of his later ballades, particularly his 4th in F minor, my personal favorite.

The G minor one has more appeal though for some, as it is not as complicated in harmony and structure as the F minor. Take care to be accurate in the numerous technical runs, and be careful, the left hand has some treacherous leaps in the fast sections. The coda is what gave me the most trouble. Fast, leaping, and chords as well, and it didn't help that I had to learn that part in about a week.

And the most difficult part musically is the slow part in the beginning. Quite hard to play effectively.

YES! the slow part is so0o0o0o difficult to play the way its supposed to be! i knew somone would say it!!
i also agree his later ballade's are so much more musically challenging, but this piece for some reason caught my ear!!

Thanks for your reply!
Many thanks...and good-luck with your piano