I just got this thing as the new piano homework. How difficult is it compared to Op. 10 No. 12 (revolutionary)? Any practice advice?

Many thanks.

"...this thing..."? Well, try it and find out how difficult it may be for you.

Regards,

To be honest with you...it is way more difficult than the revolutionary etude

In my opinion, the hardest chopin etude there is.

I think this etude, like 'drudged,' would be more difficult than the Revolutionary as well. It will certainly build up your right hand strength and endurance if you persist in playing it regularly as it concentrates on the 4th and 5th fingers.

this etude is about playing at speed with weaker fingers. actually, it's not that difficult to get it under fingers, because passages fit fingers well. but the difficulty is the indicated tempo, very difficult to achieve.

true that.... after months of on-and-off work on it, I still couldn't get it anywhere near speed while maintaining the amount of control I want.... ><"

Cheers
Ted

Thanks. I'll start learning it slowly. I'm not a fan of the hyperfast interpretations on youtube, I like it a little bit slower.

Just go slow and relax for a long, long time at 'mp' and later on 'mf' when you feel you're more comfortable. Do not attempt the indicated speed unless you know you're ready. This is a KILEER etude, extremely difficult.

From what I understand, Revolutionary is one of the easiest and this is one of the hardest

There are a couple of things you could concentrate on in your slow practising. The RH chord is always a semiquaver - it should never under any circumstance be held down for longer. The second thing is to look for the opportunities for uncomplicated legato and to not complicate them. Fight the urge to twist one finger over another. Get used to moving cleanly between finger positions any gaps in sound will soon disappear as your movements gain fluidity.


John

Many thanks for the advices! I think it's going great. I'm working on only the first page (1/3) until I get it down. I will call it "Ghost Etude" as it deserves a name.

Althoug I have no intention to play this etude, I read with interest the valuable advice of drumour

His hints can be used in similar pieces and passages. High speed often requires a quite different technique!