How do I play Chopin's Prelude in E-minor properly?

Question

Hello, I recently acquired sheet music for Chopin's Prelude in E-minor. I can't seem to make the bass section sound smooth, as in various youtube videos. My performance sounds VERY choppy. How can I improve the performance?

Thank you.

By choppy, I do not mean tempo or correctness of notes. I mean that the bass should sound smooth and connected whereas my performance sounds severely disconnected. How do I produce that effect?

Answer 1

This prelude is much more difficult than it appears. There are two main technical problems, and some huge musical issues.

As to the left hand chords, keep your wrist very relaxed and loose. Strike the chords form the surface of the keys, with the fingers somewhat firm, and the slightest pulse from the wrist. Do not overly emphasize the down beat. Tread pedal on the chord changes for the most part, (although your pedaling will get a bit more complex when the melodic rhythm intensifies to eighth notes.) The chord changes should melt into each other almost imperceptibly -- although i have heard some performances where the moving notes were brought out slightly to create a subtle inner melody. I wouldn't try that until you feel you have control over the chords.

Do not use the pedal as a substitute for legato in the right hand. Shift your weight from note to note in the melody and maintain a grip on each note in order to maintain control over singing tone and legato. The overall melodic shape is difficult to control -- those phrases are long, and the arch is very subtle. The melody should sing markedly over the repeated chords. Don't hammer out each note though -- think singing, think cello. Stretch the line. This takes some planning and a good ear. Listen to what you are doing and adjust.

I have had a number of students who have difficulty at first balancing the dynamics between the hands -- they have trouble keeping the left hand from minicking the accents in the right hand. This is common, especially for newer students, and I use this piece specifically as an etude to address this problem, as well as to develop a singing tone.

I had one student that just couldn't get it, until I hit on the idea of her making the dyamic differences outrageously exaggerated. Verrrry soft left hand, and ridiculously loud right hand. It worked.

Answer 2

Be very careful with your pedaling. Put the emphasis (pulse) on the beat, and use the rest of the chords as a filler only.

If it sounds choppy because you aren't sure of the notes, try writing the chord names below them. That always helps me, so I'm not trying to sight-read all those big chords. Make sure your fingering is the best it can be for all of the chord changes.

Maybe try...playing it with a softer touch. Don't let your fingers move as far away from the keys between chords. Try playing the chords on your leg or arms to feel how you're hitting the keys. Then experiment with different pressures until it feels right. OR Try different placements on the keys. They are about 6" long. See if starting the chords closer in then pulling them out helps. Like stroking an animal.

Answer 3

This prelude is wrongly called easy. The notes might be simple enough to play and the tempo is slow-moderate, but rendering it correctly and musically is not a feat for beginners or intermediate players. I assume by 'notebook' you mean the actual sheetmusic? You learn to read well enough to read it, and you work with a teacher, that's how you learn to play it. best regards.

Answer 4

Keep practicing.

Answer 5

i think its becuase u havnt practiced it enough. u should keep playing it over and over and over again, until u practically memorize the music. and also add smooth dynamics too