Tutorial: Chopin Prelude No. 4 in E Minor

In this detailed tutorial/masterclass on the Chopin's Prelude in E Minor I share my views regarding the most common questions asked by students: tempo, phrasing, how to reach a sophisticated elegant sound, interpretation choices, ornamentation, and many more.
Check out a comprehensive 6-hour course on each prelude from the set: bit.ly/op28complete
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Tutorial on Chopin’s Prelude in B minor from the same Opus: • TUTORIAL: Chopin Prelu...
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#chopintutorial #pianotutorial #chopinprelude

[@RockerProf]

Thank goodness this is not another video about what notes to play. I can see the music and I know what notes to play. This is a video about HOW to play those notes, which I truly appreciate. The guidance on how to hold your fingers and press the keys is really helpful for me since I am a beginner. Thanks again.

[@normaformanek1120]

Denis packs an astonishing amount of information into the 19 minutes of this tutorial. I've watched it multiple times, gaining new insights with each. An essential guide for the beginning student approaching this gorgeous piece. Thank you!

[@nataliecavanagh7432]

"50 shades of sadness" ❤️ what a lovely description of this piece.

[@tia904]

You have a gift. You are obviously a very accomplished pianist. Your educational abilities are also amazing. Don't change a thing, it was perfect. Everything was relevant with detailed techniques as I imagine Chopin would have done. Quite a few music educators, including my own would just say, play it like this without giving any advice or showing the mechanics of it. We are so grateful to you. Hopefully, you will have time to continue. I expect you will have a strong following.

[@El4568]

Your comment is spot on - I am 78 years old - have been teaching for 56 years. and with piano lessons from 2nd grade through 12th and then a major in music and a partial Master Degree - I never really learned much from my teachers - - like you say see the notes play the notes - great next piece. My college piano teachers were better but still nothing like what he is showing us in this video. When I began teaching my students when I was in college working on my masters I decided I was going to be a better teacher than the ones I had - My students play better at their age than I ever did when I was that old. And the worst is usually when I get a student from another teacher I see the same crappy playing techniques that I was taught.

[@samsilva3625]

Awesome tutorial, thanks. Didn’t realize I was playing it all wrong.

[@velcroman11]

Every time I listen to this video, I learn so much more, that it is almost like I knew nothing before listening to this video again. There is SO MUCH in learning to really play this piece, thanks DZ.

[@derclops]

I've seen a lot of tutorials of this Prelude, yet this one is by far the most superior to anything I have witnessed on KZbin. Every time I watch it I find something new and my own playing improves with every iteration. Really well done Denis, thank you very much for your stellar effort and great talent! Looking forward to more Tutorials and wish you the best of luck and many many many more subscribers, your channel is totally worth it! Bravo!

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Thanks, truly appreciate!💜

[@Khanalee]

When my piano teacher gave me the sheet music for Chopin’s prelude Op. 28,no. 4, this prelude was on the first page of it. I have played it for 50 years on and off, but now I feel as if I’ve had lesson for the first time in 50 years. I see it differently now. My teacher would play a piece once for me and then expect me to play. She never taught me technique! What I have learned over the years I have learned on my own. I would Iove a lesson on the prelude Op.28 no. 4 and also Chopin nocturne Op. 48, no. 1. Yes! Big stuff that one. But maybe just some ideas. My hands can barely span a 9th.

[@g.970]

I have a similar experience with my private teacher. She’d hand me a piece and say “play this next week.” I never learned HOW to practice. I’ve learned more from several KZbin videos than I did with eight years of lessons.

[@martinepeters9891]

Such waste of money. You can find sheet music yourself

[@michalatkins5055]

Wonderful. So helpful to a Chopin beginner like me! Thank you!

[@rogernichols1124]

Brilliantly explained and illustrated. Great playing arises from the perfect synthesis of hands, heart and head and this clip is a very good guide to achieving that.

[@lauriejeandibartolo873]

just discovered your video thanks! I love this piece and am practicing it again...

[@FlexingClassicalMusic]

Classical music is a timeless masterpiece that transcends generations. The intricate compositions and emotive performances capture the essence of human emotion, making it an unparalleled journey through the depths of artistry.

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Even Chat GPT could not express this more exquisitely.

[@andreyguess7069]

Thoughtful and full of detail. Terrific job. Thank you Denis!

[@eugeniaavilava584]

Fab! Just working on it ❤

[@laurasmith4783]

LOVE this perspective on avoiding the static feeling

[@djtomt]

Amazing!!!!

[@Zzpaf]

The best tuto I've seen about this work!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!

[@ImpatiensWalleriana]

I LOVE this piece, and intend learning it. Thank you so much for your excellent tutorial!

[@dosgos]

Fantastic examples of musical timing and dynamics.

[@michaeldurrell5093]

Brilliant guidance and analysis. Thank you!

[@JimPianoGibson]

So clear and so helpful. I really appreciate the care you took with this lesson.

[@dr.paolabianco9617]

Thank you for the explanations of phrasing and articulations on this beautiful Chopin piano prelude. Great video.

[@EvaSanz-lz4vg]

Thank you for this nice work ❤ I'm playing this piece right now

[@velcroman11]

Every time I listen to this tute I learn so much more. I my opinion it it the best tute on Chopin’s Prelude.

[@woshiairy]

Such awesome analysis on my favorite Chopin piece! Thank you! ❤️

[@AnatomyAcademy]

So brilliant thank you

[@callistrate1]

One million thanks Denis. Your tutorial/masterclass advices are so clear, so understandable. My phrasing and my sound, specialy for the left hand, on this E minor prelude by Chopin, needed a bit of refinement. Thanks to you I have found what I was longing for on this matter, and realize that "a little almost nothing and that's it". Greetings from Paris.

[@MissTranslab]

You're great! Thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@avaez455]

This was the best piano tutorial I v ever seen, it was like a master class for free, thank you 🙏

[@hope56]

Wonderful thanks for sharing your talents and interpretations

[@MrPeterblu]

Excellent tutorial. One of the best! Thank you.

[@firstsounds7590]

Amazing! I am so moved, finally found a performance (and interpretation) that brings to life the exact way in which i felt this prelude when i played it, years back. Thanks from the deepest part of my soul! ❤️

[@QTX23]

Amazing insight in this apparently easy piece.

[@jeroenmioch5485]

Thank you so much for this video. The way you explain how to play this piece is really inspiring.

[@jf-ls9ic]

This is superbly good tutorial .

[@chris6291]

Just found Denis and this channel, had searched for this particular piece since I'm just learning it. One of the best piano education videos I've seen yet! will watch more for sure, thanks for the amazing instruction! The piece itself, especially if played correctly, is incredibly moving and sad, amazing job by Chopin too of course. wow.

[@misterfalur]

thank you for this wonderful tutorial!

[@santisav2]

Your awesome man!

[@tdonithan863]

So helpful and thank you!

[@marymavrommati6125]

What a detailed analysis!! It helped a lot no only to play in a profesional way but also understand the philosophy of chopin' s art.

[@20BePositive09]

i just started this piece, omg, feel so lucky this video popped up ! so useful !!! thank you so much !!!

[@islaadele1212]

This was a total treat, thank you very much!

[@living_in__mississauga]

Thank you!! So much inspiration...

[@eugenetrollip751]

In this piece I disregard the time and let my mood determine the pace. Thank you for the detailed analysis.

[@bgaylor873]

Perfect video my friend. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@chanhnguyen2215]

Excellent lesson. Denis Zhdanov knows very Frederick Chopin and the nature of the piece music . Bravo and thank you.

[@g.970]

I’m playing this piece now and your pointers have made a huge difference in the way I am playing it . Thank you

[@Missycrissy323]

This was so incredibly helpful. I was having a hard time with the expression of this piece. Thank you for your thorough analysis!

[@Julie-rk8ln]

❤wonderful explanation divine thanks

[@donald_piano]

Thanks Denis, it is a wonderful tutorial. I've leanrt a lot from it.

[@kristinajohansson5099]

What en excellent teaching. Thank you

[@joancasey9762]

Thank you so much! Very helpful!

[@Slowbroski]

Wow, that was just great. You helped me so much!

[@alexanderdelacruz9249]

What a good teacher……. Thank you 🙏

[@StressKind]

I've been playing this for quite some time on and off but never got it to sound quite right. I just tried some of the things you mentioned and it's getting better already! Huge thank you

[@dorisgoso8985]

Excelente explicación, gracias por compartirlo

[@sanfran224]

I like this kind of videos that provides us with deep analysis with bits of information

[@nikkihuang7635]

You’re an amazing teacher, thank you for this video!

[@gaspo53]

Must be the greatest piano tutorial video out there, thanks!!!

[@sulynlam3562]

This tutorial is full of brilliant practical advice. Love the careful explanations of all manner of fine details like the effects of different voicings. Also the details about how thumb, wrist and arm mechanics relate to dynamics and note quality is fascinating. I find this has all helped to improve my listening skills. I’m hearing nuances that I completely missed before. Thanks very much Dennis!

[@bethl]

Just found you as I re-prepare this piece for church. I love your interpretation & teaching style. Thank you.

[@pavlekodak2147]

I like how the music class before any music played starts with ANATOMY and MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF MASS DISTRIBUTION, Denis is Polished Diamond and blindingly shines on us!! Thank you for your EXCELLENCE

[@spdisha-songsmusic278]

Nicely explained ☺️😊♥️

[@dublinoise2011]

Amazing video, I have my piano course today with this piece, can’t wait to practice this tuto and see my teacher’s reaction 😊

[@jaimerodriguezromero2481]

Can only dream of playing the piano, but I'm a massive fan of classical music. Love Chopin and this prelude in particular, I think is a master piece. Loved the tutorial, even for beginners like me is such a great way to explain so much complexity with words we can all understand. Thank you!

[@shelleydorman176]

This is so helpful. My daughter and I have both played the piece and I am relearning it as I teach it to a student. I love the way you describe and teach the piece. Thank you very much.

[@ernestdesalvo3142]

Thanks!

[@darkside1928]

This was fantastic, thank you for all the detailed information. I'm learning this song now, and after watching your video I know why my left hand was hurting - it needs to be much more relaxed. I subbed to your channel, keep up the good work!

[@dannys-pianoconnections5169]

excelent tutorial !!!

[@SarthakPaul]

The perfect way of explaining for intermediate players... KZbin is full of beginner tutorial...but you have added a different content from the traditional tutorial...loved your channel and teaching..subscribed

[@tootsiesugar981]

Gutted. Im 3mins into this video,didnt expect it to be THIS good and now i have to go out 😆 i'll be back. So good to hear clear instruction. I am a piano tutor and love hearing other pianists explain their thoughts and methods. Thank you! Have subscribed 😍

[@Thetonetemple.]

I got so much out of your video a minor number 4 Chopin. I know about wrist movement. But you really help in that department and your interpretation of where to put certain colors at certain times it's so helpful thank you

[@gianniszacharopoulos]

I'm a big fan of your sound!!! Excellent work!

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Thanks so much!

[@ChoBee333]

I like when you said intervals create 50 shades of sadness. It’s very true and artistic. Chopin is a gift to pianists, but it helps to have great like you teacher to explain this music otherwise might be overlooked. Thanks for ur videos!

[@a74134]

Amazing 🤩

[@AggaCityGang]

Absolutely amazing lesson +++

[@Paula-rj6qn]

Спасибо Вам!!!

[@micheldornard5567]

Thank's so much

[@milsancarole5841]

Tuto très enrichissant notamment quant au jeu de la main gauche. Merci.

[@alexiacerwinskipierce8114]

I can not express how immensely helpful this video has been. Thank you 😊 ❤

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

☺️ thanks for commenting!

[@michaelcloresandersm.d.7050]

That was great! I just discovered your video and I will be watching.

[@virtuosafatale]

Superb.

[@RolandHuettmann]

Mmh. What to say, since this piece leaves me speechless...? It is so much nicer to listen to Denis and attending to his playing than discussing Rubato -- as offered ))). Taste is something that balances between too much and too little. And to play the piano the way Denis explains and embodies means training the attention for details. It is a beautiful experience of own's own being. Thank you for sharing, Denis.

[@AlanCorcoran]

Just wanted to add my appreciation. Your advice is well presented and easily understood. I don't imagine I will internalize all of it, but if I am able to incorporate 10 or 20% I will sound much better. I don't play a lot of classical pieces. (I do like this one.) If I do take up any others I will be sure to look into any instructional videos you may have made for them.

[@SuperTabbywabby]

I’m self taught so every bar every note I’m challenged but enjoy the tremendous climb to achieve to play a song on piano ‘ the insight from this video is a great inspiration for me to succeed in a month or week or year ‘ I’ve just leant moonlight sonata note by note can play through to still a lot of work on me to make it sound as it should ‘ and the way you explain certain subjects is awesome great help Woo❤

[@jayjay25136]

very nice video thans a lot !!

[@JonFairhurst]

Regarding rubato, if you are playing with a jazz ensemble, you must give back the stolen time to get back into the rhythm of the other musicians. For solo piano, never look back. Stay in the moment and look forward. I notice this in composing and playing music with an unexpected chord or key change. You can play virtually anything, if the odd chord launches into a new sequence or melody confidently, regardless of what was in the past. Think of a mountain bike rider. They take a small jump. The trail behind them no longer has bearing. All that matters is that they take the momentum smoothly into the landing and that they are positioned to take the next curve efficiently. But if they are riding with their friends, they might have to slow back down to let the others catch up.

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Nice! Thanks for sharing this. You are absolutely right reg.jazz. In classical chamber music however good musicians rehearse rubato together. Basically, it’s the most essential point of rehearsing: to have an idea about rubato of a partner and do accordingly. The funniest part starts when people have very different approach to the organization of the time flow, but each one thinks that “I am right”😂

[@RolandHuettmann]

To me, music is like a mental dance. Piano playing is a kind of dance as well, letting gravity guide all movements. You exhibit this in such beautiful way with gentle gestures and kind instructions. It is a great joy to listen and study.

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Thanks!❤️

[@AntheInEcht]

THANK YOU!!

[@AntheInEcht]

one year later :) ... Still: THANK YOU !

[@williammanico2359]

Best technical advice On the wen

[@sofiatopalidi9403]

Thank you ❤

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

You're welcome 😊

[@HighlanderBrown]

Amazing lesson, Denis. I´m still far to play it, but I enjoyed the master lesson anyway. Thank you.

[@etudeando]

Masterclass !! I think that this Prelude is the perfect example of what not to play as written in the sheet. It's kind of a living heart on the left hand. And the right hand is the Pulse . It's very tricky play this one.

[@jennywr]

Love your tutorials, that's really helpful! I'm gonna play this piece again tomorrow, and I'll use the way you taught us... Thank you so much for giving such detailed tutorial! All the best!

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

You're warmly welcome, have fun!

[@kateji5405]

I played this piece for a week and felt my play terrible😅. After watching this video I understand all my mistakes! I’m going to correct my play tomorrow. Thank you so much for the tutorial.

[@Sergio200969]

Peça que tras uma interpretação profunda... Linda

[@peterlorenz9766]

❤ DEEPEST ADORATION Mr. ZHDANOV. With your interpretation you go DEEP. Very DEEP into my heart. Thank you. Thanks for your MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION two. WISH YOU THE VERY BEST. 🙏OM AH HUM VAJRA GURU PADME SIDDHI HUM🙏 GREETINGS FROM SPAIN.

[@martinepeters9891]

I have Khatia her performance and I record my own and compare to make it sound like how she plays it. This and this tutorial I put my trust in to make it my own.

[@mariacristinazoratti4586]

Thank you for this magnificent tutorial on Chopin, you enlightened me on the use of the left hand... I would like to know from you how to play the left hand in the Adagio BWV 974 J.S. Bach, A. Marcello. A masterclass on this wonderful piece would be great!

[@kiwidave3847]

Fascinating video and I don't even play piano or listen to classical music. But I do like Chopin.

[@jorgenavapiano]

Bravo Denis! Such a well structure script :) 👏👏

[@DenZhdanovPianist]

Thanks man🎶