Preparing for the great études
· Advanced technique · Level 6 · 18 min
Chopin's 24 Études (Op. 10 and Op. 25) are the summit of the technical repertoire: each isolates one difficulty, yet all are great music. You don't approach them by chance: they require progressive preparation, sometimes over years. Here is a roadmap.
A four-stage étude pathway
| Stage | Collections | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Foundations | Czerny Op. 599, Burgmüller Op. 100, Hanon (in moderation) | Even fingers, simple scales, thumb passing |
| 2. Velocity | Czerny Op. 849 and Op. 299 ("The School of Velocity"), Burgmüller Op. 109 | Speed, arpeggios, endurance |
| 3. Classical virtuosity | Czerny Op. 740 ("The Art of Finger Dexterity"), Cramer, Clementi (Gradus ad Parnassum) | Double notes, octaves, independence |
| 4. Concert études | Moszkowski Op. 72, Chopin Op. 10 and Op. 25, then Liszt | Technique in the service of music |
Which Chopin étude first?
The difficulties vary greatly. As a first approach, many teachers suggest:
- Op. 10 No. 3 ("Tristesse") and Op. 10 No. 6: slow, working on cantabile and polyphony (the middle section of Op. 10 No. 3 remains hard).
- Op. 25 No. 1 ("Aeolian Harp") and Op. 25 No. 2: arpeggios and lightness, voicing.
- Op. 10 No. 9 and Op. 25 No. 7: left-hand extensions, cantilena.
The most formidable (Op. 10 Nos. 1 and 2, Op. 25 Nos. 6, 8, 10 and 11) come later.
How to work on an étude
- Analyse: what is the main difficulty? Which repeated gesture? (Op. 10 No. 1: ascending extensions; Op. 10 No. 2: chromatic scale in fingers 3-4-5 with chords in thumb and index.)
- Isolate the gesture: invent a one-bar exercise that contains it. Example for the arpeggio extension:
M:4/4 L:1/16 Q:1/4=50 K:C CGce gc'e'g' c''g'e'c' gecG |]
- Fingering fixed once and for all and written in the score.
- Slow tempo (half the final tempo or less) with a full tone, then the metronome ladder.
- Rhythmic variants and groups (see chunking).
- Music first: as soon as possible, play with dynamics, phrasing and pedal. An étude played mechanically is not finished.
Caution: Chopin's études have injured many ambitious pianists. Warning signs: pain, tingling, lasting stiffness. Work on them in short sessions, alternate with other repertoire and read the lesson on tension.
Tip: an étude is often worked on for months. Keep one "under construction" while you play other pieces: technique matures with time, and returning to it after a break is very effective (that is spaced repetition).