Chopin 'Ocean' Tutorial Op 25 No 12 Paul Barton, piano

A viewer's request piano tutorial. "Ocean" is the name we associate today with this piece but the source of Chopin's inspiration appears to have been quite different. As a descriptive title it fits the work well for modern tastes so I've kept this as a theme in the video. Ocean is a very playable study. Opinions differs as to it's relative difficulty compared to his other studies. My own view is the underlying patters in this piece are beautifully simple and hope the video encourages those wishing to play this piece for the first time to do so.
If you don't have the score (free): imslp.org/wiki/Etudes,_Op.25_%...
I prepared my own free PDF of the score with the bass melody notes highlighted. drive.google.com/file/d/0Bzwr...
If you're interested in a video link, here's an old family video of a trip across a choppy sea on a stormy day in a small boat to Maya Bay in Thailand (setting of The Beach) The colour of the sea on our journey turns from grey, to black then the clearest emerald green in the lagoons.
• Video
Content ID please note: This video is played by Paul Barton, the channel holder, of a musical work in the public domain and NOT owned by Music Publishing Rights Collecting Society as currently claimed and consistently claimed on my videos.

[@KoltSupaTV]

Paul is the ideal musician & teacher: Friendly, informative, patient, and non-selfish. Thank you for taking the time to do what you do, Mr. Barton!

[@harrisonrichter9414]

He's also quite good :3

[@KoltSupaTV]

Harrison Richter THAT he is

[@KoltSupaTV]

***** You and I must think alike...love the Chicago Bulls icon! (Been a BULLS fan since 1989!)

[@VincentSPICER]

I agree with you Caryl.

[@hervegilles7941]

Les mains bien hydratées. Voici une anecdote récente. Mon fils ayant bouché les WC je suis obligé de plonger mon bras droit dans l'eau glacée . C'est OK terminé. Je lave mon bras et l'essuie. Ensuite au piano pour étude 12 op25. Mais si ma main droite est vigoureuse puissante et rapide la gauche n'arrive pas à suivre. Alors je mouille pareil la gauche. Et ensuite l'étude devient une évidence.

[@alexismandelias]

Timestamps: Intro: 0:00 Background: 2:03 step 0: 8:25 piece is chords step 1: 8:42 break up chords step 2: 9:21 just octaves step 3: 9:37 add 3rd between octaves step 4: 10:04 memorise piece as chords step 5: 11:32 stress melody step 6: 13:35 break chord: 1 octave step 7: 14:01 break chord: 2 octaves step 7.5: 14:48 break chord: 3/4 octaves step 8: 15:15 play as chords again step 9: 17:22 2nd finger emphasis step 10: 18:00 slower going down, faster up Tips on expression/dynamics/tempo: 19:18 His performance with score: 20:40

[@Tomy97xbox]

You should have your own tv series :D Very professional

[@charlottewhyte9804]

+Thomas Jones I love your gorgeous dog

[@CienciaTodoDia]

I've never seen such a tutorial. Congratulations for such a wonderful method, full of precious information and techniques. Greetings from Brazil!

[@adolescenterevoltado9008]

Bruh

[@adolescenterevoltado9008]

What are the chances?

[@adolescenterevoltado9008]

Do you play the piano

[@vitorluigi2911]

pedro loos the one and only

[@SinanAkkoyun]

@@adolescenterevoltado9008 What are you talking about? Paul Bartons tutorials are one of a kind

[@jean-michelthomas4176]

Paul Barton: Question for you! Me: Sure! Paul Barton: Can you play Chopin's prelude 20? Me: Well actually I never lea.. Paul Barton: Off course you can! Me: Okay

[@FLVCTVAT_NEC_MERGITVR]

@@Noah-wv4td correct

[@IEEMAZ_Convoluted_14.2.8.5]

Jean-Michel Thomas lol

[@swooty2805]

@@Noah-wv4td your ability to read quickly doesn't really affect how you play

[@pattycake340]

Gee I wished you lived next door to give me classical piano lessons on chopin etudes.

[@natasyagoff24]

i really wish paul was my father.. cant imagine how great it is to practice piano and learn every pieces of chopin etudes everyday during lockdown.. obviously better than simply piano 🤣 *who fed up with simply piano ads in every piano tutorial video on youtube?

[@hiperterrany4428]

I never like or comment on any videos, but I really want to mention this to those who are trying to learn this piece for the first time (those who are obviously not advanced players), that this is one of the best tutorial I have seen on youtube, not just because of the depth of the piece covered but the way he 'broke down' the song to its very elements in an unconventional way. Not to mention the fact that your analogy/reference to other pieces that might have inspired Chopin's Ocean was very well constructed and interesting. Amazing video, and I hope prospective Ocean-players be benefited from this great tutorial. Hope you didn't get overwhelmed by my bad English, I'm just a mere S.Korean :P

[@aff941]

Hiperterran Y I might be late but thanks for this !!

[@MiloMcCarthyMusic]

Why does that mean they are automatically not advanced players lol

[@nezkeys79]

I thought viewing sections of melodies as chords was a common practice The thing that looks hard about this to me is the going outside of one octave because the fingerings look like they include a lot of 4th and 5th fingerings and moving across 3-4 octaves

[@hammydon65]

You are a brilliant human being - I have only just discovered you on YOutube. And you are a painter as well! Your gifts are abundant and you hare them unselfishly!

[@eurisko618]

Oh Paul where were you and your teaching method when I was but a young frustrated lad in the 1950''s? These are so so fine. Every student absolutely should learn the craft in such a brilliant way. I just might have been able to get thru prep school and on to university had I only been less distracted by all the misdirection that pervade my youth. Bravissimo!!!

[@karldavid3127]

Hello Nikola Tesla

[@laoisemeehan]

+Karl Ledesma sup slendyboy

[@sina666able]

oh dear god, today is my birthday mr. barton, pretty sure you gave me the best gift ever by this video .. peace n love from iran

[@JJJessee]

This has been a great tutorial. I don't know how many times I've watched it. I'm using your method and have just memorized the harmonic rhythm after about 3 weeks work, about 75 beats per minute. A lot of work at my level. I labeled all the chords first. Ready to start moving up the keyboard! I do find this a lot more accessible than Op 10/1.

[@leo17921]

op 10 no 1 is much harder than this one

[@olegschramm]

True musician from head to toe, and at his heart! Thank you, Maestro!

[@scricco4646]

I'm piano hack. I love the music and I fiddle with trying to play everything and I've never really had an instructor to explain how to break down a piece and really learn it, so this is about the most incredible teaching tool I have ever seen. I will apply these concepts. Bravo Paul, you are a teaching genius...

[@atlantargh]

Paul, your performance and tutorial videos are (as far as I'm concerned) one of the 5 top reasons the internet was invented.

[@susinisusini]

Paul, this was the most amazing tutorial I could ever expect. Love how you mix theory, with musical knowledge, general arts, other composer works and so on. The video edition is also, as always, in a flawless professional standard.

[@lyrafiel76]

What a wonderful approach towards understanding the intricacies behind such complex pieces. Thank you, Paul.

[@katbullar]

your tutorials are simply fantastic and highly recommendable!!! I enjoyed each single one!!!! Please keep posting them!!!! greatings from Germany.

[@johndpruitt8097]

18:00 this advice was absolutely crucial for me, just thinking “and-a-one” helps keep you from losing the last few notes and actually playing into the change instead of dropping notes and just jumping to the next chord

[@VincentSPICER]

I just discovered you (somewhat by chance), I love your teaching, style, content, wise, sound advice and I'm looking forward to returning to view more of videos. Thank you for all your time, effort and work in preparing and sharing these videos.

[@oscarlaredo5035]

Mr. Barton I just want to thank you for your great tutorials videos that are jewels of musical education.

[@alexismandelias]

The idea to learn the piece chords-first is so good. I've made considerably more progress this way. Thank you!

[@bonjourmelancholy]

This is the most amazing tutorial ever, especially about learning it in chords. After doing so, I literally was able to play it slowly and after a day or so at full speed. This one is probably one of the simplest to learn but it appears very hard when you listen to it (opinion). Thank you!

[@UltraLeetJ]

wow just a day to have this at speed? you are quite amazing. Its been three weeks for me and I am still at it.

[@Hk-uw8my]

Nice video , very informative. I didn't expect the part about the background story of this piece but it was a pleasure to watch.

[@Raymonddoc1]

What a wonderful musician with talent beyond technique. Thank you for such a beautiful breakdown of practice techniques.

[@fionanogawa1730]

Thank you for such an inspiring tutorial! Lockdown seems the ideal time to roll up sleeves and tackle a really challenging piece. The combination of your skill and generosity in sharing is really encouraging! Thank you!

[@halomoe]

That was amazing help! I was honestly struggling with this piece. It never occurred to me that I could learn a piece in such a way. Thank god you're here!!!

[@adambaranowski3607]

The best piano tutorial I've ever seen! Thank you very much. It's really interesting and helpful.

[@adamlarusic6272]

What a quirky teacher you are, and I mean that in the best way possible. A marvellous combination of the artistic and technical components of the piece. Your passion really shines through. Thank you1

[@Cabinessance]

Many thanks for all your tutorials. The combination of history and practical lesson is very enjoyable and helpful.

I'm aproaching this study for the first time, and I loved this tutorial so much! Thank you very much!

[@andy1981b]

Fantastic Piano Guide, thank you so much! It gave me more motivation to handle those difficult pieces. Keep going on with your videos!!!

[@michaelsmith697]

A marvellous video. The trick in learning these pieces is to break them down to the patterns, thematic and chordal parts. I love his method of working at the 1 octave then gradually moving up. Also slow careful practice and memory work is essential. My teacher was great at dissecting things and made exercises on just about everything! That’s the key! Mr Barton’s ideas are just fantastic!

[@martinadler73]

Many thanks for this extremely instructive tutorial!! A really brilliant job! Also the musical examples are presented wonderfully.

[@SinanAkkoyun]

You are truly a genius. I sadly only recognized it after watching 3 of your tutorials. Great work!

[@petertarsio7168]

Good ideas on how to proceed at working on this Etude. Harmonic approach and paying attention to voicing slow practice and so much of the way one hears is so important thanks again for all this great advice and information Paul

[@niklassilen4313]

This is an absolutely amazing video! Thank you so much for this truly special tutorial for mortals.

[@emilius_525]

This style of teaching is very helpful. My teacher told me to play the chords before the arpeggios or any run, he calls this "blocking". It does help to understand the structure of the piece while memorizing it. Thank you.

[@KirilIliev_Utube]

Very original phrasing of the first passages of the Rev etude. Sounds like falling rocks in a landslide. Very good. I watch your viedeos every couple of months and always find something new

[@celius6421]

This is such a wonderful performance of this piece. The main melody is clear, yet the arpeggios are also clear; not simply quieter than the melody. I also believe the tempo is just right. Slow enough to embrace each note in the arpeggios, but fast enough so you don't lose track of the melody. Perhaps my favorite performance of it.

[@alexanderpiano1506]

You are an amazing teacher. This video is professional level quality too. Thank you!

[@silviaciobanu5398]

Wow. This tutorial makes it look so simple! Ahaha! Thanks! Can't wait to get a new piano and start working on it

[@quinton1110]

Thank you so much for this! It makes the piece so much easier and more approachable.

[@artoodetoo6429]

Absolutely wonderful tutorial; not only clear but moreover interesting!

[@kyonghan5011]

We live in amazing world to attend this kind of master class as many as we want..thank you, sir, Mr. Barton

[@OldRabit]

Excellent job, Paul!!! Thank you for your commitment. Bravo!

[@surferriness]

15:29 This is the absolute no.1 tip for beginners imo It leverages your abilities exponentially, when you are already working hard on improving or even trying to find perfection I practiced op 10 no 1, when I needed thi most. Also very helpful with Rachmaninoff stuff (op 3 no 2, Liebesleid (Kreisler), etc)

[@shimmstar7]

I absolutely love your work!! Thank you so much for this amazing lesson!!

[@Alejandro.77]

I love classical music and I love your videos! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@smilingbowlingpin]

This was really well done. The video editing was fantastic, and the playing superb.

[@juan3268]

Sir, I have suscribed to your channel. I am nowhere near the level to be studying this stuff, but man is it nice to watch these videos. While I may not be able to start learning this piece, I can apply the advice to my current material and continue studying this instrument.

[@edwinbaiza1406]

thank you, your tutorials are the best way to get the music dominion . thanks maestro

[@susanparkins5237]

Brilliant thank you.

[@soden21]

I’ve never seen someone make a piece that, to me, feels like it’s impossible, make it seem so accessible. I only started piano 8 months ago with this piece as my motivation, knowing it would take me years to play. But I can play it as chords as you taught. I can play it in an octave as you taught. And that’s enough to keep me going. The full piece may be still years away, but wow did this give me confidence!

[@VincentSPICER]

I don't play this etude myself (yet), but I would learn it in this similar approach. The way you break it down and piece it together not only facilitates technical mastery of this formidable piece, but also memory and harmonic analysis (although most advanced students at this stage likely don't have challenges with memory).

[@anthonyaustin2166]

Very helpful indeed mr Barton ..I find this piece a lot more difficult to play than the revolutionary but honoured to learn from such a maestro many thanks

[@thomaslefeuvre1]

Thanks! Really enjoy the background of the piece as well as learning how to play it

[@hsnuchiu]

very profoundly teaching and playing, thanks Paul.

[@ImmortalSpecies]

Paul Barton, I deeply respect your work and I think you are truly an inspiring person. I just wish your videos would be given more attention, I'm putting your channel on my page. You are by far the most dedicated teacher and I imagine -- if I had a teacher like you there'd be absolutely no piece I wouldn't be able to handle. Cheers

[@offsetsammy]

Hi Paul, just wanted to say thank you so much for this great tutorial. I discovered the Ocean Prelude a few weeks ago and didn't think it was within my capabilities to play, but after watching your tutorial I was well on my way to playing it that very same day. I'm now able to play the entire piece from memory start to finish, and now I'm just working on getting it up to speed. Keep up the great work!

[@tomy34188]

I just realized that I’ve been memorizing this piece in the incorrect chunks. One chunk in my head always starts with the right thumb, thus breaking the melody in chunks of three, always starting with the 1st finger rising up, or the 5th finger climbing back down, instead of chunks of four, starting with alternating fingers, as the original structure of the piece suggests. Now trying to break the chunks and rememorizing them in the right way, by adding little spaces between the chunks of four, helped me to appreciate the original pattern more and also to break up with my slightly distorted concept of the structure of this piece, which resulted in a plateau, before arriving at a satisfying level of clarity and speed. I thought that this might be helpful to people who unconsciously do the same. Also want to emphasize that this tutorial is amazingly comprehensive and I keep coming back to it to challenge my understanding of the piece with new ideas. This video is invaluable for anybody trying to not just learn but also master the piece. Thank you for sharing your ideas 🙏🏻

[@nehuenmattina7548]

Thank you Paul! I enjoy watching and you have been working hard!!!

[@hassansoliman970]

Paul barton, simply you are the BEST teacher ever!!

[@edhastie]

Tremendous video presentation, thank you. Subscribed and look forward to many more.

[@petetee1292]

Simply wonderful teaching and insights. Thank you!

[@JordanDPiano]

This tutorial is awesome! I'm going to apply these exercises when I practice.

[@NicJSB]

Fantastic tutorial, filled with fantastic information and explanation. I can't believe you only have 23k subscribers

[@sumimimi0]

I CAN FINALLU PLAY THIS SONG!!!!!! AFTER 6 MONTHS AND THIS TUTORIAL HELPED ME

[@jazzeffectgroup8372]

wooo! 6 months! I would love, love to do that as well, maybe you can show me your recording so I can get inspired

[@ryw]

Amazing video. Love ALL your videos and you inspire me to continue playing. Thank you very much!

[@daniloberaldo570]

I love too much this kind of tutorial! Nice, thank you very much for that!!

[@Shobute]

I have just started playing, I do not even take lessons. I have played the prelude you have mentioned, Op. 9-1 and 9-2 nocturnes, Satie's Gnossienne No. 1, a few Bach, a Rachmaninoff Prelude and a Rachmaninoff Etude. It has been 5 or 6 months since I have started playing. I play piano 10 hours a day if I am free, but playing at least 5 hours a day has been a must to do for me. Thank you very much!

[@raf1552]

You are the best piano teacher!!! Thank you!!!

[@cescuetoZ]

so many thanks Paul, i am lerning more than all the years in the conservatory to aproach this piece

[@Zephirotus]

Ow. Your tutorials just continue to grow more and more gorgeous.

[@GeoramaAdelaideSA]

Hi Paul, just want to thank you so much for this tutorial. I'm a licentiate level pianist but hesitated to try this etude as I can only just span an octave. But I desperately wanted to play it! The way you broke it down into achievable chunks has helped a great deal and I'm now starting to think it isn't that hard and expect to get it up to speed very soon now. Thank you :)

[@mryaint]

You're the best! I can't thank you enough for giving us these insights!

[@PC6001mk2]

Indeed, He is great Piano teacher, i got understood what his pointed out C minor has absolute dramatic mood piece piano work, each great composers... Chopin op.25 No.12 "Ocean" its one of my most favorite piano works in my life.

[@Powerslider]

Absolutely brilliant tutorial!! Thanks alot Paul!

[@SmexiiSushi]

im learning this piece with the help of this tutorial right now. very helpful! i'll post about my results when i'm able to play the whole thing :)

[@FutureFreeman]

Fantastic! Thanks for this very inspiring tutorial!

[@TheXPV]

Wowww this is one of your best tutorial. I was so afraid to try 25/12 but with your advices it makes it so easier to work. Il n'y a plus qu'à répéter :)) Thanks for all!

[@thepianosong93]

awsome paul! i love all your videos!

[@alexvallex5487]

Im not even gonna play this song, but i have watched this video multiple times. It is just an amazing tutorial, and the paintings he puts while playing are incredible

[@rajochowdo]

Thank you so much paul! You help out so much with interpretation and history that all the pavestones are just set out before me when i learn this piece. Thank you!:-D

[@Cardstacker]

Wonderful tutorial as always, Paul. I will have to consider doing this one as well. (I'm finishing up the Revolutionary... the middle section in particular.) It's amazing how simple some of these pieces seem after you learn them. Thanks again for the inspiration and instruction!!!

[@alchemistofmusic8265]

You are simply the best Paul

[@joseph-fernando-piano]

This was a really excellent tutorial, I had set a goal of learning and playing this piece at a recital at the music school I teach at it, which was an intimidating prospect, but this video broken it down into parts that seemed very manageable, and provided some excellent practice exercises! I also like to add a little twist in the voicing at the bar with labeled notes seen if you pause at 21:24; instead of voicing D-C-A-C, I like to play the RH note (C) as a broken note just before the A, i.e. D-C-(c)/A-C; similar idea in the A-flat modulated section, and in the final section reprise...

[@judyp2585]

Paul, you're an amazing teacher, thanks a lot!

[@Gulfstream005]

Great tutorial. Could hardly wait to hear this raging storm played right through at the end though!

[@zbigmanVEVO]

I love your tutorials :d its really good. I have never been in music School. Really good advices

[@elgabs2172]

Just started with this piece after not taking lessons for more than 5 years. I kept on playing every now and again but my hands and fingers feel like they lost ability. Been taking lessons for the last 3 months and focusing mainly on getting back my fingers and technique in shape. This is a very useful tutorial on how to practise this piece in order to play it like you!. So thank you for your tutorial. Will start practising it this way!.

[@leoliatris]

Just perfect! Thanks so much for sharing this!

[@olavaazh]

All your videos are amazing and so helpful! Thankyou! :)

[@chrisvazan]

Oh my god, the sound quality is so amazing!!!!!! Haven't finished watching yet, but this looks really good... And you're an AMAZING pianist; can't believe I've never heard of you before...

[@yoshishiyoshishi7923]

Thank you for teaching us.It must be helpful.I will practice this!

[@ivanaraque]

Paul, I always thought this Etude is more beautiful than the "Revolutionary" or the preceding "Winter Wind"!! Thanks for the Tutorial.

[@sayuu_chan]

I would love to watch more tutorial videos this is absolutely amazing

[@Catcherinthestars]

This is the best! thank you!! I'm going to attempt this on my own after playing only about a year and a half and i hope i can actually accomplish it *bucket list here i come*

[@chzx1996]

Thank you Paul, very useful tutorial!

[@karencox6211]

That piece is beautiful ! thanks Paul

[@enochonguru5483]

Thank you so much, you always been one of my teachers, thanks for the selflessness.