Too far ahead of myself?

[spitz]

I've been play the piano for 20 months (not even 2 years) and I'm already playing sonata's such as Pathetique and Moonlight (currently learning 3rd movement) but I'm noticing they're kinda hard, not too hard but still, and I'm wondering if I'm too far ahead of myself, or something else?
Post your opinion, if I should go back or hang in there. Thanks,
                                                                                        Spitz

[debussy symbolism]

Greetings.

It depends on what you mean "ahead of yourself." How many pieces have you played, how long do you practice, what is your outlook on these pieces. "Ahead of yourself" doesn't only apply to the technical demands of what you are playing. You should be proud with what you accomplish and not be too self conscious about it. (I understand it's hard .) If you are comfortable with these pieces then go for it, even if they are hard. If you are studying them with a teacher then yes go for it. Don't be frightened by pieces sounding hard. I was rather shocked when my teacher introduced the Chopin Etude 1 from the first book. It IS difficult, but I know that I can do it. I would say that you shouldn't compare yourself to others in terms of good or bad. You should definately hang in there and be proud of what you are learning.

[jamie_liszt]

Don't make the mistake many of us make, even the professional pianist i played for said to me, your playing some hard pieces, you have to be carefull you dont damage or ruin your technique, otherwise you will have to start from scratch with beginner scales, exercises and pieces to build your technique up again or something.

Another thing thats happened to me before is you might learn a hard piece and think you are better then you are and think your learning it well and playing it good but more experienced players may be disgusted with your playing, however you could hang in there and keep practicing.

I suggest you build up your technique and practice alot of exercises and scales, build up to the harder pieces, if you have a teacher, make sure your teacher thinks your ready.

[spitz]

What I mean by 'too far ahead of myself' am I too far ahead compared to other people. The pieces I play I am very comfortable with. My teacher has me (currently) practicing 3rd movement of 'Moonlight' to finish the sonata, and Pathetique as a request of my older sister, and a few sonatinas to make my life eaiser. But I thought about it for a second, isn't 20 months a bit fast to be picking up on this? My younger sister who's been play the same amount of time as me is only level 2. I though that was because of her age but I recently when to a recital and the people who have a been play for 10 played songs even I could play with not even 2 years of playing. What I mean am I too far ahead of myself compared to others?

[gruffalo]

age makes a total difference in terms of progress. it depends how old your younger sister is. a 12 year old will learn faster than a 6 year old. unless that 6 year old is a prodigy.

[spitz]

I'm 13 my sister is 7

[debussy symbolism]

I don't think that age really matters as far as potential progress. What matters is how one naturally learns, how correctly learns, and how motivated he/she is. I assume that you both study with the same teacher. The difference in your learning repertoire may be because of natural inclinations or motivation. Perhaps your playing will motivate her to practice harder. As to whether you are ready, that depends on how you feel about it.

[shannon piano girl]

hello,
I have been playing the piano for a bit less then 20 mths.
I think if you feel you can handle it go for it!
But sometimes I find that if you give your self some time, try playing the song a few times and play around with it, you will know if you are ready to play  it now or if you have to try again in a few weeks.
Hope it helps!
Have fun!!!

[steve jones]

I had a similar thing happen to me.

Iv been playing around about 12 months. Within the first 6 months of playing I found I was able to handle pieces from the AB Gr5 lists, and some from the Gr6. I got well ahead of myself and starting looking a Gr8 pieces. Problem was, my technique was completely undeveloped in some areas, so I was rarely able to 'master' these pieces, usually being tripped up over a single measure.

Now, from my very limited experience, I have learned the importance of mastering works. Only when you have done this can you really have absorbed the musical and technical elements of the piece. I have decided to drop anchor, so to speak, and really spend some time learning pieces of my level, so that when Im ready I can move up a gear without concern.

For now, Im doing Bach Inventions, Mendelssohn 'Song without Words', and a couple of Chopin Preludes. I figure with this lot I can develop my technique in a much broader sense. Only when I am completely happy with this stuff will I move on to more advanced rep. Ultimately, I want to play Chopin Etudes, Bach WTC, Beethoven Sonatas. But I want to play them well, not like someone out of their depth.

I really cant say whether this is good advice or not, but it seems to be the best way to learn for me. Keep challenging myself, but never to much that I cant get it.

Actually, its funny that you should mention the Moonlight and Pathetique. I looked at both the slow movements from each, and decided that I was easily good enough to give them a try. With in a couple of sessions I had done a complete u-turn... these are NOT easy pieces to delivery properly. Your ability to play polyphonic music must be well developed, especially with the Pathetique mvt 2. I couple play it, but it sounded way to homogenous. Seperating those voices and giving each the correct attention is not easy at all.