Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner Members Recordings - Pianist Corner Frederic Chopin Waltz in A minor B.150 Opus Posth

Hi to everybody. After not playing piano for long time I dare to play my first Chopin waltz. First, I was going to participate in Waltz Recital in March with this pice but it was mach harder to learn that I was anticipated. After 3 and half months of practicing I have recorder this video. I would like to hear yours comments but please don’t be to harsh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SNKDHT0lPU

Nice.

I think you've made a very good start in your piano career with this, and the only way is upwards and onwards ! The only comment I would make is that you're achieving the legato by using the sustain pedal for longer than is really necessary. As you get better, you'll find legato with the fingers gets easier as your dexterity improves.

Other thoughts you might like to consider, could include : think of a waltz as one beat in a bar, rather than three (helps playing second and third beats with less emphasis) and don't be afraid to let the music 'breathe', so it sounds how you want it to sound. Singers are dreadful in this respect, and can put in pauses at the end of phrases that run up nearly to the next beat, before getting on with it.

Thanks for sharing this. Your 3 and a half months of hard work has certainly paid off. This is a very competent, musically satisfying interpretation. Congratulations. I agree with Fareham's suggestions above. I'm curious - are you working with a teacher - or on your own? Did you have any musical training or experience prior to taking piano up in your 40s?

Thank you both for the comments. I started to learn piano in summer 2016. Since 9 months I have lessons with yang piano teacher, one hour every other week. Before piano about 30 years ago I was playing accordion for about 3 years so I was not starting with piano from scratch.

Excellent articulation on the right hand. Focus more on the waltz rhythm with the left hand. The best Chopin waltz rhythm you can learn from is watching Artur Rubinstein playing the Waltz Op 64 No 2; there is a video on YouTube which you can see his left hand.

Out of curiosity, does your piano accordion have the same size keys as the piano ? I once 'had a go' on someone's accordion and found that the smaller keys made life very difficult. After a lifetime of playing the piano, and knowing instinctively where every note was placed, I found it very disconcerting to find the notes somewhere else!

Accordion has smaller key then piano. It isn’t easy to switch. But I was playing it about 30 years ago.

Very excellent considering your time taking lessons!! I don't think you're using too much pedal but there were a few times where the harmonies blurred so either you didn't change the pedal at all or, more likely, didn't change it exactly at the right time(a little too late) with the syncopated pedaling.

Very beautiful.

Tremendous feel for the piece.

Really excellent playing!!!
Wonderful!