Frédéric Chopin
Etude
in C Major, Op. 10 No. 1
Because of its ceaseless cascading arpeggios – requiring an extremely well-oiled technique – this etude is sometimes referred to as the "Waterfall".
Piano score: PS Urtext 
Audiovisual Study Tool
Waterfall
Vladimir Horowitz famously refused to play the Etude, Op. 10, No. 1 in public. He considered it the most difficult of all Chopin etudes, which says a lot about its challenges. One might be fooled into thinking otherwise because of the seemingly simple texture and extremely sparse left hand. Its harmonies resemble a chorale and it seems that Chopin wanted to start his collection of etudes with a reference to Bach's prelude No. 1 in C major from the Well-Tempered Clavier. But to execute these widely spaced arpeggios at the speed that Chopin is asking for, and with the smooth legato that Chopin intended, you need to have an extremely well-oiled technique and incredible stamina.
Chopin almost never named his compositions, and instead referred to them by opus and number. However, many of the etudes have been given nicknames by others, for pedagogic or marketing reasons. Because of its ceaseless cascading arpeggios, this etude is sometimes referred to as the "Waterfall".
Background
Chopin's first set of etudes signifies a complete overhaul of the etude genre, transforming it from technical drudgery to a true art form with rich emotional and musical content, which at the same time takes piano technique to new heights. It was dedicated to Franz Liszt, about whom Chopin reportedly said with regard to the études: “I wish I could steal from him the way he plays them.”Forum posts about this piece:
Advice for my performance of Chopin's Etude op. 10 no 1 by virtuoso_pianist
Hey!! I recently performed Chopin's op. 10 no 1 and I'm not happy with how I performed it. To me, it lacks clarity of notes and I keep making mistakes (even though I play it through perfectly during...
Chopin's Etude Op.10, No. 1 as a study in extension by robertus
On another thread, I advanced the opinion that Chopin's Op.10, No.1 was essentially a study in finger extension, not "throwing the hand", or "rotating the wrist". My reasons for this...
Should I learn Chopin Etude op.10 no.1 by clairedunz
Hi, I’m Claire and I’m 11. I’ve been playing piano for 7 years and I’m at a ABRSM grade 8 level (level 10 in rcm).I’ve been wanting to learn Chopin’s etude op 10 no 1 for awhile but don’t...
How can I study Chopin's "Waterfall", Etude op 10 no 1 without getting hurt? by faa2010
I have started to play this Etude, this will be my second one, the first one has been Chopin's Etude op 10 no 3, "Tristesse", one of my favourite pieces of the whole world, and one which I will...
College Auditons by sethino
I am planning on auditioning for GGS and Juillard this year and need some help finding pieces that will make an impression. Here are my plans so far: Bach- Prelude and Fugue No. 7 in E-Flat...
How to improve in the middle section of Chopin's Etude op 10 no 3? by faa2010
Hi, since last year, I started to learn, practice and play Chopin's Etude op 10 no 3. My advance was great, but after I took out the metronome and I wanted to play faster, the middle section has become a...
Scratching side skins of fingers when playing arpeggios-related stuff by shostakovich
youtu.be/O_1-0mz1G3o The faster I play the G major arpeggios, the earlier my wrist will rotate so I can reach another octave in time. However, this causes the 2nd and 3rd...
Chopin Etude op. 10 no. 1 practice by thenerdicpianist06
Hi everyone! I had a question about Chopin Etude op. 10 no. 1. I am practicing this etude for one month now and I can play the notes true when I play it in a slower tempo than it should be. But when I try...
Strokes of a violin bow ? Chopin Etude op10 no1? by ezekielevan
Hello people, I was wondering how the Op10 No1 etude from Chopin should sound like. I heard about "If you learn it according to my instructions it will expand your hand and enable you...
Chopin Op.10 No.1 help by hamishscott4
Hello, I have been working on this etude for the past few weeks and I'm consistently struggling with bars 31 and 35-36 (the F major 7 and A major chords). I'm playing both with 1-2-4-5 and...
How to Improvise on Chopin Op. 10 No 1 by aclaussen
youtu.be/4Iz4NtNAQtM An exercise for classical pianists with a basic understanding of music theory and harmony to improvise on Chopin's first etude. The video is...
Thought Experiment: If you're a concert pianist... by william_ni_guang_xin
If you ever become a concert pianist, what would your carnegie debut programme be like? Here's mine: 1. Chopin: Etude in C Major, Op. 10, No. 1 2. Godowsky: Study on Chopin's Etudes,...
Strokes of a violin bow ? Chopin Etude op10 no1 by yadeehoo
Hello people, I was wondering how the Op10 No1 etude from Chopin should sound like. I heard about "If you learn it according to my instructions it will expand your hand and enable you...
Chopin Op.10 No.1 For Small Hands by adodd81802
I've regularly seen the debate between those claiming that if you cannot reach a 10th or more comfortably you may struggle to play this piece. Here is a lady with small hands playing it with...
The only recording of Chopin Etude at proper tempo + PROOF by pencilart3
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"Dry" Sections in Chopin Etude Op.10 No.1 by hohohohi888
Hey all, I have been practicing Chopin Etude op. 10 no.1 for a while now, and can play it up to speed. However, there are small sections in the piece which have a "dry" sound...
Tips for Nerves?!! by mishamalchik
So I've never been particularly comfortable performing however, I can usually play reasonably well, even if I'm not entirely satisfied with the performance. Well. Today has changed that.
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Etude Op. 10 No. 1 in C Major, a composition by the early romantic composer Frédéric Chopin. The piano score of this piece was first published in 1832 and is part of Etudes by Chopin.