Phone: open this video in a new window.
1. First of all, read point 5 of The weight of the hand article (direct link).
2. Videos
a. The above video is entirely dedicated to the Etude op. 10 n° 1. Although I play the initial, long section using method B (see the link in point 1 above), some of the proposed exercises are based on method A. This does not affect their effectiveness in any way, as you should practice with as many different methods as possible (as I show, for example, in this video).
b. An excerpt from this video (direct link 2:55) shows the basic throwing movements necessary to play this Etude.
c. The video comparing Methods A and B (cf. point 1) is, for the time being, available to my students and subscribers only, from a private PDF (click on the miniature below to see the beginning).
Both the video and the PDF article are entirely correct, but I found them too complicated to be available to everyone. However, I decided to publish them in my private area for pedagogical purposes, having seen the excellent results achieved by using method B.
d. I am preparing another, simplified video and it is quite possible that, together with its publication, I will also make available the video from point c.
3. 12 exercises
In my private area for students and subscribers, I have also published this article, containing exercises only, (click on the thumbnail to see the beginning).
The first two exercises are by prof. Woytowicz, the others are mine and take into consideration the both methods A and B.
Of course, the most difficult is to master the smooth horizontal movement of the hand so as not to make musically incorrect accents and gaps, and at the same time prevent losses of energy that may occur here.
The exercises should, of course, be played in all octaves, all dynamics and using all articulations. In the first place, the most difficult places have to be worked on in this way.
The others can also be practiced this way, but in principle, once the more difficult ones well practiced, the easier ones should come out “on their own”.
I highly recommend practicing without the pedal, because its use masks minor inaccuracies. For the same purpose, you can also practice by playing LH piano and staccato instead of holding long notes.
4. Bar 8 - not very comfortable D#
This is prof. Woytowicz’s way: if playing the RH accented D# of bar 8 is uncomfortable for you, it is possible to play it with the LH. However, you must be very careful, because this ease may make the accent too strong.
5. Hand and body movements
Phone: open this video in a new window.
The below pictures (video frames) and animations show some most effective hand and body movements. I selected them from Garrick Ohlsson’s recording (video above) made immediately after he won the Warsaw Chopin Competition in 1970. Pay particular attention to the abduction and adduction of the hand and the movements of the elbow.
Interesting detail in connection with point 5 of the article The weight of the hand mentioned already at the beginning of this page:
in 1970 Ohlsson played this Etude using method A. I recently had the opportunity to see another recording of the same Etude he made a few years ago - unfortunately I can’t show it here for copyright reasons. Well, more or less 50 years after his success at the Competition, he plays this Etude just as brilliantly, of course, but using method B already!