I`m 14 and I`ve been playing piano since I was 7. I wasted 5 years with one of those high school piano teachers and started taken lessons from a "real" piano teacher 2 years ago. BTW...I went to my new teacher only knowing how to play "Alla Turca."
Anyway, Two years have passed and now he`s giving me a Chopin Etude. Is it still too early? I mean my teacher gave me Op. 25 No. 1, but it is ridiculously hard. I looked at the first two pages of the Schirmir Edition for about an hour and my playing doesn`t even resemble my teacher`s playing. Any tips or suggestions? Should I drop the piece?

Work on it slowly, and learn a small bit at a time, one hand at a time. Set a very small goal, like 5 measures. (I`ve seen the harp etude, and it seems like if you can play 5 measures well, then all you need to do is build up endurance to play the rest of the piece well). Look through the piece and notice all the skills that you`ll need for it. If you still are having trouble with it then, well, then you should drop it for something easier. But the harp etude is difficult not only becuase of the speed but it requires a very light and musical touch (like a harp). I think this system`ll work cuz it worked for me for several other pieces.

Hello
I am 13 myself, and I am just wondering is you could tell me where I could find just a little bit of that music on the internet, to either listen to, or hear. The previous repli-er`s reply is excactally what I would say, except take it slow!!!!!!and use your metronome, it will become a very good friend. And don`t try and rush into it too quickly, take it down, slow and use all indicated fingerings, and if there aren`t any, I`m sure your teacher won`t mind helping you figure out some. I have been playing piano for 7 years, and I am in grade 7 Royal Conservatory in Canada.
Seeya

You can see it at sheetmusicarchive.net and hear it at kunstderfuge.com