Need advice in choosing pieces to learn

[bamse]

Hi! 

I'm a new member to this forum, and this is my first post. I found myself here while surfing the net for reading on the subject of piano practice.

I'm a 22 years old male and has only been practicing piano since early January. When starting at the piano I was astounded, and realised that I had found something that I will probably have as a hobby for the rest of my life. Although I'm a late starter, I will try to do as good as I can from those conditions.

At this moment I'm torn between 1) the beginners lust for fast progress and being able to play impressive pieces and 2) a yearning to become a musician capable of worthy interpretations of pieces, however easy ones.

The first piece I started learning was Beethoven's Für Elise (cliche?), but I soon abandoned it for Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca (another cliche?) which I find way more appealing. This choice was approved by my teacher. I'm able to play all of it at final speed except for the Coda at the end and the fast runners in the middle HT. Then of course after I can play it, I have to start making music out of my playing. I realise this may take some time.

Meanwhile I'm not sure if I should concentrate entirely at one single piece and would like to have others to work with. I'm here asking you for advice in picking the right pieces. I have considered taking on the rest of the K331, but I would rather play something from another composer.
It should be something appropriate for my beginners level, but still an interesting challange. I have fallen in love with the Rondo of Beethovens Piano Concerto no. 1, but it's probably way to hard. I'ts a future goal.

Respectfully
/Bjorn

[casparma]

Try some 4 hands pianoscores, because you can play a music with your teacher, which in the meantime, you can improove your rhythm and musicality of the piece more drammatically with the teacher, because you can give a real distinction of your musical playing and your teacher's.


For example, you play rondo alla turca, right? try play the 4 hand version from vollodos with your teacher

[bernhard]

Have a look here (for starters):

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5767.msg56133.html#msg56133
(huge collection of links)

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,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,5063.msg49589.html#msg49589
(Albums for the young)

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

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,8225.msg113552.html#msg113552
(minimalist pieces – description of Einaudi pieces.)

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

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[chelsey]

Then of course after I can play it, I have to start making music out of my playing. I realise this may take some time.

Something I learned the hard way: pieces become much easier to learn if you approach learning to play it with musicality at the forefront the entire process. Pieces should make musical sense in your mind before attempting to solve technical issues.

[bamse]

Thank you very much för the respons, all of you.

It's a great deal of material you gave me bernhard, it will take som time to go through it while crossreferencing with those sheets & mp3s I can find.

I would like to add a technical question.

The last days I've been working on the fast part of Alla Turca HT (measure 26-61 I think). I can do it fast and easy HS but I find it very hard getting it correct HT. I've tried bernhard's "note dropping"-method but with little success. I seem to be completely unable to drop more than 2 notes with my LH before the RH breaks down helplessly. The only method which has given me any progress is to slowplay the entire passage HT and speeding up gradually, unfortunately this brings some sort of hard staccato to the RH (imitating the staccato play of the LH). As soon as I force the RH to play legato, LH is unable to follow. Any ideas how I should go on with this?

Thanks again.