Practicing with Groupings
Taught by renowned pianist
Henry Kramer
In this segment from his lesson on Chopin's Etude in A Minor, Op. 10 No. 2, Henry Kramer discusses the principle of grouping in practicing building speed and power in challenging passagework. The Etude in question is notorious for demanding the right hand to play a rapid chromatic scale with the 3rd, 4th, and 5th fingers whil the 1st and 2nd play chords on each beat. Kramer begins by turning your attention to the left hand, though, which will help fortify your rhythmic foundation. After learning how to spring from the key to achieve a lively sound in both hands, Kramer demosntrates how to practice grouping different combinations of sixteenth notes within the same rhythmic frame. It is crucial to choreograph your motions so they are compatible with your intended phrasing. These concepts apply equally well to different kinds of demanding passagework. Apply them to those nasty spots in your repertoire and you should soon develop the reflexes to execute them with brilliance and style.

Difficulty:Â
All-Levels

Duration:Â
1
 hours
 hour