Chopin – Impromptu No. 1 in Ab Major, op. 29. Piano Tutorial

Chopin - Impromptu No. 1 in Ab Major, op. 29. Piano TutorialChopin’s Impromptu No. 1 – a delightful piece full of color and movement! 8)

Playing it can be a joyful experience… or a very frustrating one.

So how do we conquer this little musical jewel? How do we avoid falling into the most common ‘pitfalls’ – tension, speed walls, poor coordination and expressionless playing?

As always, the secret is correct practice :P.

The video below is not a simple piano lesson.

It’s a fragment from our interactive Questions & Answers project at PianoCareerAcademy.com – offering solutions to the real problems experienced by Ellen (one of my students) when practicing this piece.

Besides answering Ellen’s question, I share many additional tips helping you to bring this Impromptu to a sparkling performance level 8).

Enjoy! ;)

First, download the needed score:
Chopin – Impromptu No. 1 in Ab Major, op. 29.

Chopin – Impromptu No. 1 in Ab Major, op. 29.
Expressive Analysis and Practice Tips.

Video highlights:

00:33. Introduction.
01:06. The question that inspired this tutorial.

01:39. Do we really need to create a perfect legato in the RH? Understanding the artistic concept of the Impromptu, and the resulting expressive tasks.
02:37. Which articulation is needed for bringing out the light and ‘sparkling’ effect?
03:48. Step-by-step practice tips. The importance of serious LH practice.

04:46. RH practice. Understanding the layout of the text, and applying the most efficient arm/wrist movements. Non-legato practice.
07:05. Legato practice. Lightening the key attack. Using a ‘throw and gather’ motion. The needed ‘detached’ legato.
08:49. Adding the pedal. What is the most appropriate pedaling principle for the outer sections?

10:59. Practicing both hands together. How to improve your coordination. Sound balance.
13:25. The spots where we can make an exception from the ‘detached’ legato principle. The ‘lyrical element‘ from bars 8-12.
14:25. How to voice the melody formed by the LH quarter notes (bars 8-12). The needed practice steps. The importance of phrasing.
17:18. Combining both hands together. The 3 layers of sound intensity.
18:47. The importance of intonation in playing Chopin. Intoning the wider intervals.
19:35. Pulsation and its role in reaching the final tempo.
20:40. Conclusion. Where to find the full tutorial :).

Get access to the full tutorial (and to my video answers from ALL the past editions of our Questions & Answers project) by becoming a member of my Piano Coaching Program at PianoCareerAcademy.com! ;)

In the Private Members Area you will also discover many hundreds of other exclusive tutorials for ALL levels (including step-by-step courses and interactive projects) that reveal the professional secrets of the Russian piano school.

It’s time to transform your technical & expressive skills, and take your playing to a whole new level of freedom, brilliance and artistry! 8)

Enjoy every step of the way,
Ilinca

P.S. Many new online piano lessons and video tutorials are coming soon on PianoCareer.com! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest to get instant updates, support and motivation! ;)

If you enjoyed this practice topic, here are some other learning tutorials you’ll enjoy:

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J.S. Bach – Little Prelud in C Major, BWV 939. Piano Tutorial. Lesson No 96 for Beginners

2 Responses to “Chopin – Impromptu No. 1 in Ab Major, op. 29. Piano Tutorial”

Read below or add a comment...

  1. Prasana says:

    Hi Ilinca madam,
    I watched this video.It’s really exciting and interesting.It offers me valuable ideas.Since it’s a video tutorial , it’s easy to follow the instructions.Thank you for creating this video.GoodWork!

  2. Prasana says:

    Hi Ilinca Madam,
    I wish you a Merry Christmas!!!
    Thanks,
    Prasana

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