Group 1
Unlocking A deeper Understanding of Chopin's Music!
Together we will work on four etudes which can transform your approach to Chopinās 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 Chopinās use of the pedal and exploitation of the pianoās 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 Chopinās use of polyrhythm and how this is integral to the fundamental āproblemā 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 Ć” 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 Cortotās 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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Does anybody else in my group have problems with the zoom meeting? Did I get the time wrong?
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Andrea Buckland Hi Andrea, I think Henry mentioned that there were some technical issues and he too was trying to get in. Iāll stay awake a little longer and see what happens.
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Iām very sorry Henry kramer but I wonāt be able to join the zoom session today. But here is a little upload for the second assignment. Would be glad if you could just check out if Iām on the right track with this one. Thank you very much!
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Andrea Buckland Hi Andrea :) sorry I'm just getting to this! I would try to completely move the thumb toward your second finger. It seems to stay in place on the key. Also, you might want to try resting between each figuration to test that you are relaxed in the thumb. I would also recommend practicing without the sustaining pedal
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Henry kramer Many thanks for your feedback, Henry!! Will work on it again and might upload another version, together with a practice video for the third assignment. I very much appreciate your teaching. Thanks again!
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These are my practice videos.
I wonder if I need to use my wrist snap or not, for my second video.
I am reading the book" Piano pieces" by Russell Sherman according to your recommendations.
Thank you so much for your wonderful teaching.
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Ko This looks great! Love the sound quality and your hands look just right. Now you might try a more leggiero touch!
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Appreciate it. I will try that.
Thank you so much.
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Thanks, Henry Henry kramer for the video assignment and the great tips!
I am practising the first 4 bars of Op. 25 no. 3, and trying to play it smoothly without hesitation. I've played the exercises, but also started to work on the etude itself. My immediate goal is to play the first 4 bars smoothly..... baby steps ;)
I've been practising hands separately, also each of the SATB lines separately, then S and T, S and B and then A and T, A and B, with the same fingering.
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Natalie Peh Great! In your voice separation are you noticing the parity between the second finger of each hand?
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Henry kramer thanks for the note, Henry. I haven't consciously listened out for this and will do so.
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Henry kramer Iām glad you mentioned the fingering. I checked and havenāt been using 2 on my left hand at all! Iāve been practising with 5 5 for the bottom notes and 1 3 for the semi quavers. I will try practising with the fingering in the Cortot edition and with 1 2 for the semi quavers.
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