more repertoire than I've ever had to learn before!

[jamie0168]

I have to learn about 1 1/2 hours worth of new music for my first recital. Two of the pieces are also for competitions. I've got all of the scores and I'm beginning to learn them all. What I need to know is....how do good pianists cope with the stress of learning a BUNCH of new music all at one time? How do you schedule your practice time wisely so that you don't forget what you practiced yesterday, but continue to improve daily? It's very intimidating to have all this beautiful repertoire and not feel like I can handle. I know I can learn it all, but I want to makew sure that no piece is neglected. Thank you in advance.

[steveie986]

When's your recital?

[henrah]

You're going to have to plan out each day of practise, keeping in mind how long you think you'll be able to practice each piece for before you might start to lose concentration or get tired. So allocate each piece a certain amount of time each day, and make sure you play at least a part of every piece every day. Also plan the pieces you think will be the hardest to memorise to practice just before you go to bed, and make sure that with each piece, before you leave the room, play through it slowly and MAKE SURE you don't make any mistakes whatsoever. If you do make a mistake, go back and start the passage again, making sure that when you leave the room your brain will have all the right notes to ferment on.
Henrah

[gruffalo]

if you have the time, practice 30 mins on each piece each day. Bear in mind also, each day one piece should be concentrated more on than the rest, and rotate this. so maybe an hour on the piece you want to do more work on.

[mike_lang]

Do you have to begin all of it at once?  Maybe start with 3 or 4 of the pieces?  It's more manageable that way - how soon you add on is up to you, but perhaps a progression would be good.

Best,
Michael

[jamie0168]

My recital will be February 13th of 2007. I know I'm planning ahead quite early, but in my view (and probably many of your's) there's no such thing as starting new rep TOO early.
Thanks for the good advice. I will try to apply that.
Unfortunately, I think I do have to learn it all at once. By August, my lessons will begin, and my teacher hears every piece of repertoire within the first month (this is his policy.)
However, one of the pieces is a concerto (the SS no.2), and I am preparing this piece for a competition in December that means alot to me. But at the same time, this recital means alot to me. <sigh> so much to care about. 
I will try to apply your advice to my practice schedule and see how it goes.

[joe_blow]

I know this isnt something people usualy say about practise but sleep is an excellent way of absorbing music. 
 It's the first thing you forget when you are a student that your brain needs alot of downtime to process everything.  Also trust that your mind has a limit and there is only so far you can go with practise within one day before you start unintentionaly going backwards.