adult, returning student

[mderksen]

I'll try to be brief, but through.
Currently 37, stopped playing at age 19 (started at age 5).  Instruction tended to focus on a few pieces for each recital, yet, I don't think I ever really was taught depth, and certainly was allowed to abandon pieces after performances, even if I hadn't REALLY learned them.  So I rarely got the chance to get deep into the musical experience of the piece, such a shame.
A few years ago I leased a piano for a short time, and found that I could regenerate a few pieces rather quickly.  Notably, the Beethovan Pathique (yes, I know it's spelled incorrectly) and Shubert's 4 impromptu's, Op. 90.  It was wonderful to be able to at least play through them, even at speed, after a few dozen hours.  It was painful how poor my control was, but it re-ignited my fire for it again. 
Soon I will have the opportunity to purchase a new instrument since my son is now 7, we want to begin him on lessons. 
So, here is where I would appreciate some advice:
1)  I am playing for myself out of love for it.
2)  I want to learn to appreciate more than the technical side of a piece, for this I think the obvious advice is to hire a tutor
3)  My depth, as stated, is shallow.  I've never even seen a copy of the WTC.  I think that my technique is "fair", but limited to specific pieces, ie I feel like a rookie with each new piece and haven't generalized my skill.
4)  My sight reading is deplorable. 

Though I'm looking for recommendation of pieces to start, I'm more interested in hearing ideas of METHODS of practice to begin my journey towards being a decent pianist.  I tend to think that playing the snot out of something simple is better than struggling through and destroying a more difficult piece.  Not looking for "showy" pieces, looking for the satisfaction of working hard to do something WELL.
Cheers,
Michael

[pianohopper]

If you're just starting up again, I think the obvious pieces to pick up first would be the ones that will do wonders for your technique.  Most notably any Mozart sonatas, Bach preludes and fugues, or even Scarlatti.  You can't stop anything short of perfection on these if it can be helped.

Also there are the technical drills.  They're a pain in the ars I know, but completely necessary.  Scales are the least -- also must do chromatics, arpeggios, chord drops, five finger drills, etc.

Once you've developed a solid technique and style, it would be a good idea to pick up some Chopin.  To paraphrase Horowitz, your technique will always be excellent if you practice Chopin eight hours a day... (although for just an amateur pianist like most of us here, I don't think eight is really necessary.)

good luck

[_tyro]

Don't know why I'm giving advice, because I'm in the same position as you -- but a *lot* older.  What I've found wonderful  is, first of all, getting good and new (i.e., clean, unwritten on) editions of things I supposedly could play once upon a time, and at least trying to read through anything that appeals. I still have most of the music I had as a kid, and still find my teacher's markings surprisingly helpful;  it turns out  my faults haven't changed all that much over half a century, and it's a bit of a  jolt to find the written solutions to problems I think I've just discovered.   There are new technical problems though.  You should be really careful about not overdoing exercises, because it is possible to damage yourself by being too ambitious.  It's also good to start small -- very rewarding actually to be able to finish something.

Things I particularly like:
[1] The Chopin preludes. They contain everything in miniature.
[2] The Bach 2-part inventions.  They are wonderful for analysis. More subtle than you'd expect.  Also excellent practice for getting your hands to work together.
[3] The Beethoven Bagatelles are good preliminaries if you're planning to start working on the sonatas at some point.  The middle set especially contains lots of little tasks that you'll need.  The man seems to have had a devilish sense of humor.
[4] Bartok's Mikrokosmos.  More jokes at your expense, but a lot of fun.

If you search the forum, you'll find some suggestions for approaching the Chopin and the Bach.  That might be a good way to start.  For me, the best tactic seemed at first just to play lots of things; it seemed to reintroduce my fingers to the keyboard, and helped the sightreading, so everything got better quickly without much effort.

It really is wonderful to get back to  playing after an enforced hiatus.  Have fun!!

[alzado]

Mderksen--

I am about in the same boat as you, but -- like tyro -- older.    Like you I played as a young person.  Over my life, a couple of times I went back to study piano, then left it again.   I have been taking lessons for about the last 8 months.

My teacher is more a coach.  I don't follow any prescriptions from her.  I select my own music.  By now she knows about what I enjoy--  shorter pieces at a moderate tempo, but with rich and complex harmonies.  This would include the Edward McDowell material I am playing now.  Also pieces such as "Sunken Cathedral" by Debussy.

I really combine playing the piano with a love of music.  I research music to find new pieces, and always want to deepen my understanding.

I have a dislike of the "assembly line" mode of piano playing, where we all play the same five composers, and we even all play the same tired old chesnuts by these same composers.

You can do what you want.  I would have a teacher's assistance to get guidance on playing new material properly. 

I would not follow the crowd.  Many on this forum do.  (If one more student wants tips  on playing the Fantasie Impromptu, I think I will scream.)

I would use the piano as a gateway to learning about and enjoying music.  The idea of "training" to be a concert performer, the manner some programs of study are designed, just doesn't make sense for some of us.

The only persons who hear me play, besides my teacher, are my wife and a little stuffed bear that I perch on the corner of my grand piano.

Good luck--

[ako]

Your story sounds almost exactly like mine. I took a 13-year break from piano when I went to college and picked it back up 2 years ago. I also played the Pathetique for my piano teacher when I first met her. She gave me 2 new pieces that day: Bach Partita #2 and Chopin Nocturne Op. 48 No. 1 in c-minor. They were both too hard for me at the time but the challenge gave me the push to practice hard and get back to playing instead of just dabbing into it. I am ver excited for you. Best wishes!

[bernhard]

Start with Chang’s book:

https://members.aol.com/cc88m/PianoBook.html

Then when your son start lessons, take the opportunity to help him with the assignments of his teacher (both teach him and practise with him) in between lessons. This will have several interesting consequences: In order to assist him properly you will have to learn a lot. It will motivate him and you. It will make him progress unbelievably fast (since consistency in practice is the most important factor in fast progress).

Also ask his teacher to suggest and assign to him duets you can play together. There is no better way to develop musicality (and sight –reading skills) than ensemble playing.

Finally have a look here for some very satisfying repertory that is not impossibly difficult:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1970.msg15762.html#msg15762
(easy sonatas)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2035.msg16633.html#msg16633
(Shostakovich preludes op. 34)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2147.msg18098.html#msg18098
(Easiest piano piece ever written)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2314.msg19869.html#msg19869
(Schumann’s Album for the young)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2340.msg20224.html#msg20224
(Building your piano foundations – suggestions for a progressive repertory)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2562.msg22127.html#msg22127
(Suggestions for repertory for someone who has been playing for a year)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2428.msg20981.html#msg20981
(four hand repertory)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2851.msg24984.html#msg24984
(Introduction to romantic pieces – how technique is specific to pieces)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3721.msg33399.html#msg33399
(grade 4 – 6 repertory)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4094.msg38101.html#msg38101
(Liszt easy pieces)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4140.msg38111.html#msg38111
(True repertory for total beginners)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4238.msg39061.html#msg39061
(easy show off pieces)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4416.msg41105.html#msg41105
(nice slow romantic piece for beginner)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4737.msg44794.html#msg44794
(Jacques Duphly)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5063.msg49589.html#msg49589
(Albums for the young)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2357.msg56150.html#msg56150
(Joe Hisaishi sheet music)

https://www.pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,7008.msg80656.html#msg80656
(Beautiful music that is not hard to play)

https://www.pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,8368.0.html
(Victor Carbajo)

https://www.pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,9269.msg94090.html#msg94090
(melodic studies)



Best wishes,
Bernhard.