SUPPLEMENT

Garrick Ohlsson WATCH THE LESSON

AT TONEBASE.CO
Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 1
Since his triumph as winner of the 1970 Chopin International Piano
Competition, pianist Garrick Ohlsson has established himself worldwide
as a musician of magisterial interpretive and technical prowess.

"EVERY TONE YOU PLAY IS THE VERY END OF A PROCESS."

Don't force strength and speed. Train for it, as a weightlifter would.
Rely on the natural shape of your hand. Bend your fingers and utilize your elbow.
This etude is not only a study in expansion of the hand, but also contraction.

“YOU CAN’T PLAY EVERY NOTE IN THIS CHOPIN ETUDE CONSCIOUSLY.”

The point of practicing is to de-stress.

The notes go by too fast to consciously articulate each one.
The fingers will tremble and respond poorly to too much stress. 
Eventually, your body must learn to play the notes automatically and gracefully,
just as your heart beats, or a horse runs. Don't fight the body, but go with it.

Begin slow, but be sure to slowly increase the tempo as you get comfortable.
"IF YOU CAN PLAY THE FIRST TWO BARS, YOU CAN PLAY MOST OF THE PIECE"
Play the arpeggios as one seamless motion. Practice the opening two measures
in groups of 4, 5, or 6 notes. Master each unit before stringing them together.

Each group should be single automatic motion. Practice measures 1 and 2 in

groups of 4, 5, or 6.

The most difficult arpeggios are the ones using both white and black keys, such as
measure 29. Use these rhythms to strengthen your fingers in difficult passages.

To stay relaxed in measure 30, release your finger just after you strike a key.
In measure 31, try passing your thumb over your other fingers, instead of under.

As a Juilliard student, Ohlsson’s teacher, Olga Barabini, made him practice

Chopin Etudes No. 1 and 2, in their entirety, back to back, three times each!
This piece will surely present roadblocks, so train like an athlete!