Poll: Number of pieces, how long, and your level

[Bob]

You get three votes for this poll.  Please do an A, B, and C option.


I'm curious....

How many pieces do you work on?

For how long?

What level are you at?



All this is in general.  I know that you never really finish a piece and you come back to the great ones later, but take it with a grain of salt.  In general, how many, how long, and what level are you?

[chozart]

just would like to point out that the poll won't show what you ask for since in none of the options are the number of pieces and length at which they're studied grouped with what level you're in; you're answering either the first two "criteria," or the last.
So, I didn't vote.

Anyway, my answer would be:
a.) how many: on average 6
b.) for how long: Depends on what type of work, and the amount of time available to.. well, work.
Generally, however, it applies to a standard repertoir:
- 1-2 Czerny etudes from Op.299, which I normally study for 1.5 months, although junior year has elongated this.
- A classical sonata - usually 4 months; it's recalled or studied further in case of a performance to come.
- A Bach work - so far, have been studied for about 2 months.
- 1-2 "pieces" (such as a waltz, mazurka, etc...) - harder to say for how long since it opens up a wider variety of composers, difficulties etc; so, it varies from about 2-4.
c.) In terms of "beginner, intermediate, or advanced," I suppose intermediate. Grade 7 of Ukrainian/Russian system. It's kind of weird to go into, but my teacher's training me as she had been trained in those two countries where she attended music schools.

[steinwayguy]

It depends on the piece. Some pieces (ex. Chopin Etudes Op. 10 No. 11, 12 Op. 25 No. 3) I learn in a week and don't touch them again for at least a year. Other pieces (my college audition repertoire) I work on for a year or so.

[pianonut]

i never connected level to how long you work on a piece.  i think it has to do with the difficulty level of the pieces  (as chozart and steinwayguy pointed out) and also, how much time you have at varying points in your life.

some people have always learned very quickly.  others take longer and stay that way longer.  i am one of the latter.  it takes me usually at least 3 months to learn.  three more to memorize.  and another three to interpret well.  usually by 6 months i can play the piece, but for recital -9 months to a year for all pieces is typically me.  i would feel uncomfortable trying to do a recital in 4 months.  6 months would be pushing it.  9 months comfy.  suppose that comfort level has nothing to do with it when you become a concert pianist.

[nanabush]

What would be intermediate repertoire?  Is advanced like purely virtuoso works?