Mozart, Sonata in C minor

[oguzcan]

This is my first post so, hi!

I've searched through the forum but couldn't find answers to my problems.

First of all, I'm a 19 year old composition student trying to learn the piano for about a year by myself. Right know I started to practice the C minor sonata of Mozart, k.457. I have several problems;

My former instrument was guitar but I have never practiced any multi-movemental pieces and I don't know how. I memorized the 1st movement in about a week and I can play it slowly now, but I don't know how to progress. I'm playing it at about 80 bpm but how should I go on? By practicing the entire movement? Or just small parts? With metronome? Without metronome? Slowly, than up to time or slowly, gradually increasing the tempo?

Also, should I now go on memorising 2nd movement or should I wait until I finish the 1st entirely?

About 2nd, I have a difficulty in memorising it. I don't know why but It's harder for me to memorise than the 1st movement? How should I start memorising? Practicing? Hands together? Seperated?

I know those kind of stuff is probably talked before but any specific advice will be welcome.

[pfbinh]

- When I practiced this piece, I started slow as well (as you should always do.) Then make sure your brain is got everything down, like fingerings, rotation, hand positions... (this is very important when playing Mozart because every little detail counts.) Then try speeding up without a metronome, just on your own, go as fast as you can. The places you stop, are the places you should drill (different rythms, articulation, backwards, retrograde inverted, whatever helps your hand and brain get comfortable to it). Pratice it by sections, then later, work on transitions. This is a lot of work. Rember: don't get lazy. 

[teresa_b]

You may have more difficulty memorizing the second movement due to having less tecnical trouble playing it--you don't have to memorize passages in order to play them effectively.  Also, to me it's easier to play something fast from memory because there can be more automaticity in the movement.  With a slow tempo you must be more consciously aware of what comes next! 

You might try memorizing it from the end and going backward.  if you know the last two lines, then work on the last 4 lines, etc. until you have the whole thing.

Good luck!
Teresa

[db05]

Hello! You sound like me. You have so many questions. First, CALM DOWN. If you are not relaxed, even if you study for hours, nothing will register.

If you've learned many pieces for piano and guitar, it shouldn't be a problem. Treat each movement as a different piece. If you're used to practicing many pieces at a time, then practice 2 movements. If not, just one.

I memorized the 1st movement in about a week and I can play it slowly now, but I don't know how to progress. I'm playing it at about 80 bpm but how should I go on? By practicing the entire movement? Or just small parts? With metronome? Without metronome? Slowly, than up to time or slowly, gradually increasing the tempo?

Also, should I now go on memorising 2nd movement or should I wait until I finish the 1st entirely?

About 2nd, I have a difficulty in memorising it. I don't know why but It's harder for me to memorise than the 1st movement? How should I start memorising? Practicing? Hands together? Seperated?

It all depends on you. But I suggest you practice small parts so you can isolate problem spots and bring the pieces up to tempo. The cool thing about piano as opposed to guitar is that you can play hands separate. Definitely try it before you decide which method is easiest for you.