Group 3
Unlocking A deeper Understanding of Chopin's Music!
Together we will work on four etudes which can transform your approach to Chopin’s music as well as expand your concept of piano playing! In the first Etude from Op. 10 I will give exercises for tackling the right hand arpeggios, which will develop your ability to hear sonorities build upon one another across the entire keyboard. Through a discussion of Chopin’s use of the pedal and exploitation of the piano’s natural overtones, you will learn to pace yourself through this famously difficult work and achieve unity of sound within one harmony.
I will then focus on the Second Etude of Op. 25 where the lens will zoom in on Chopin’s use of polyrhythm and how this is integral to the fundamental “problem” of this Etude.
The discussion of the third Etude of Op. 25 will talk about the use of the thumb versus fingers 2-5 and how to achieve lightness and speed in this charming work.
Finally, we will revisit my lesson on Op. 10 No. 2 and dive even deeper into the secrets to being able to play this famously difficult work!
Improve your Chopin Etudes in Two Weeks with Henry Kramer!
- Sign-Up : September 14, 10 am PST
- Course Period: September 19 - 30
- Class Size: 4 Groups á 10 Participants
- Optional check-In via Zoom: tba
- Livestream: September 20th, 11am PST
FIRST TASK: SAY HELLO TO EVERYBODY!
Assignments:
Watch Henry's first of four assignment videos!
Download Cortot’s edition of Chopin etudes at:
- Choose 3-5 arpeggios in this Etude (eg c major, augmented 6th, a major etc)
- For each arpeggio show at least two octaves of playing each note of the arpeggio where you bring the thumb to the first finger joint of fingers 2-5 immediately after striking the key. For the thumb notes you should just play staccato
- Choose 2 of the Cortot exercises on pages 4 and 5 and apply them to your 3-5 arpeggio choices
- Share a video of you performing these exercices!
Watch Henry's second assignment video!
Watch Henry's THIRD assignment video!
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Thanks, everybody, for participating in this TWI with Henry! I hope you had a fantastic journey with the four Chopin Preludes and learned much over the past two weeks! See you in the next TWI, which we will announce next week!
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Hello everyone!
Very excited to be part of this short course. I’ve had a preview of the four etudes mentioned and there are a lot of challenges there but at the same time such beautiful music.
Looking forward to meeting everyone else and sharing videos.
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Hi everyone, really looking forward to delving deeper into Chopin's etudes. I have tried a few of them on my own but they are very far from fluent and I would love some guidance and direction. Looking forward to learning more and reading your comments ! Tina
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Greetings! After watching Dominic's Livestream on Chopin Etude #1, I was inspired to actually learn one. I haven't worked on any of these since I was a kid (since I haven't had formal lessons in a million years). I am actually really nervous about trying these, so I thought the group would be a great way to help me feel more comfortable.
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Same here. I haven't practiced since I was a kid. When I try to practice I start with the basic 4 octave C major scale and would give up after a few minutes because I play so bad. Looking forward to some real practice after all these years.
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Hello Ernest, Gail, Tina, Angela, and everyone else in group 3!
I was a debating a little bit with my self if I had time for this Intensive now, but decided that I should be able to do it. However, I am thinking of working on these etudes long-term, maybe 4 months or so, and use this two week intensive as a kick start. There is just too much to learn here...
Op. 25 no 2 is the only Chopin etude I have played before, but it's been a long time, around 18 years. I think I might focus on Op 10 no 1 and 2 for these two weeks.-
Sindre Skarelven Hi Sindre,
I was thinking something similar and that I would perhaps look at the first sections of each of them but mainly focus on one complete one. That way I would hopefully cover the basic technical principles of all of them if not all the notes!
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Angela Fogg Yes, that's a great suggestion, think I will copy that. Mainly focus on Op 10 no 1, and do the first sections of the others to get a feel of it. Thank you :)
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Hello everybody!
I am so happy and excited to have this oppounity to learn about Chopin's Etude! Since I am a self-taught piano student and have "zero" experience of playing Chopin's music, hope I can handle the exercises and looking forward to gain much more insights from you all.
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kramer group 3
First Assignments are posted!
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Hi everyone! I'm so excited to be part of this group! I've always struggled with Chopin etude so I look forward to learning so much from this 2-week intensive.
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Hello Everyone,
played piano as a child and now, about 2 years ago, I restarted a little bit just to enjoy for myself. A like already a lot the idea of releasing the thumb and rest it at the other finger. Looking forward to the practice.
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Cortot Chopin Etude Op. 10 #1 English exercise translation (1)
Hi Friends, I made a quick little audio translation of the French explanations of the first 5 Cortot exercises. Let me know if you'd like me to translation the 2nd page of exercises, too, if this is useful.
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Gail Starr That's very thoughtful of you! I noticed someone posting the Cortot English edition in the public space (which is great), but it is much better to listen to you! :D
How's it going with the practice?
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Sindre Skarelven Tu es gentille, mon cher ami! But, honestly, I think I’m going to skip Op. 10 #1.
I have nerve damage in my right hand and arm from an illness a few years ago, and the stretches hurt.
. I’ll try the next one today, though: 
Sindre Skarelven -
Sindre Skarelven There are still many etudes that could work for me. Maybe the one in thirds that Henry taught us about a couple of days ago? How is YOUR practicing coming along? How about your new CD?
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Gail Starr That's very understandable, Gail! Yes, don't play Op. 10 nr 1 if it hurts your hand! I can recommend op 25 no 2. It's a long time since I played it, but I remember it feeling very good in the hand! And it's also a beautiful one, witch add to my motivation :)
I have practiced op 10 nr 1 a little bit, and I can feel some benefits from it in releasing the hand. I treat this etude just as an exercise, and nothing I have any desire of ever performing :)
I've not been able to work on my own project this last month, just to much other things to do! Also, I need to give it full priority and long term focused attention, to finish it and make a recording I will be satisfied with. I will make a plan! :) -
Sindre Skarelven I decided to just "skip" Op. 10 #1, and I'm enjoying Op. 25 #3 much more...although I think ALL the etudes (except the one you suggested #2) are really difficult for me.
Can't wait for YOUR CD!
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Thanks for this Gail!
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I just posted Henry's video for the next Etude!
kramer group 3
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martin Thank you!
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We used to live in the Atlanta area! I wish we were there now to hear your play in person.
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So sorry but can’t make the time slot for the update. Will have to watch it afterwards. I was wondering however about when you get to the top of the arpeggio, do you continue to support the little finger with the thumb? To do so often moves the thumb passed its’ next note. What about the descending arpeggio? Does the thumb continue to support before moving to its note at the bottom?
Thank you!!
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So sorry I missed today’s update. Will it be possible to view it later on Tonebase itself or will it be uploaded on our chat? Thanks
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Tina Ellul ok I asked a silly question because the videos are uploaded here. Thanks! :)
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