Waldstein

[aaron_ginn]

Before I die, I want to be able to play the Rondo from Beethoven's Waldstein sonata.  As a beginner I can't even fathom what it would take to play a piece at that level and make it sound right.  That movement is largely the reason I decided to start playing piano.  The mere thought of one day possibly being able to play it is more than I could ever hope for.

If anyone here has played this piece, I'm wondering what kind of effort was required to do so.  Of course, I understand a work of this magnitude takes years of practice.  More specifically, I'm wondering what works I should start with in order to work my way up to this piece.  What techniques should I focus on perfecting?  What are the really difficult aspects of this movement that will require many hours of effort to master?

I've only been playing seriously for under five months, so I'm nowhere near being able to attack a work of this complexity.  Still, playing this piece is one of my life goals.  What will it take to accomplish it?

[zheer]

I've only been playing seriously for under five months, so I'm nowhere near being able to attack a work of this complexity.  Still, playing this piece is one of my life goals.  What will it take to accomplish it?

  Good for you, it will take some time, the theory is that it takes ten years to learn how to play a musical instrument well. Unless you are Lang Lang or Kissin, i think they were concert pianists by 12.

[pianistimo]

you only have nine years and five months to go.

[zheer]

you only have nine years and five months to go.

 True, have you heard a true story on Lang Lang, well when his mother gave birth to him the first thing he said,was can i learn Rach second piano concerto next year.

[debussy symbolism]

Greetings.

What I say may be trite, but is important nonetheless.

Practice. Practice is the key. Reading your other post regarding an easier Chopin piece, I understand that you are tackling the 3rd Movement of the Moonlight Sonata. Tackling on easier pieces will improve your technique most, whilst trying the hard ones may only slow you down.

Hope this helps.

[leucippus]

That movement is largely the reason I decided to start playing piano. 

Same here.  This is also my favorite piano piece ever.   There's just something about it that draws me.  I completely identify with it.

It's already on my practice schedule, if I survive my medical problems I'll continue to practice it.  Just tackle whatever parts of it you can.  No rush.  You'll be able to play it when you're able to play it.   Qué Será, Será

[rimv2]

Before I die, I want to be able to play the Rondo from Beethoven's Waldstein sonata.  As a beginner I can't even fathom what it would take to play a piece at that level and make it sound right.  That movement is largely the reason I decided to start playing piano.  The mere thought of one day possibly being able to play it is more than I could ever hope for.

If anyone here has played this piece, I'm wondering what kind of effort was required to do so.  Of course, I understand a work of this magnitude takes years of practice.  More specifically, I'm wondering what works I should start with in order to work my way up to this piece.  What techniques should I focus on perfecting?  What are the really difficult aspects of this movement that will require many hours of effort to master?

I've only been playing seriously for under five months, so I'm nowhere near being able to attack a work of this complexity.  Still, playing this piece is one of my life goals.  What will it take to accomplish it?

You vill be surprised once you reach this level. You wont be able to remember what it felt like to not play the piano. It will be part of you. Most of all, you will see, just how hard this piece really isnt.

Bach's WTC prelude in C major is an absolute must. The rest is eh

Play scarlatti, and the easier sonatas of Beethoven. Op 42 no. 2 (called easy but Ah had problems, go figure) and the slower movements of Pathetique and Moonlight. Make sure to do the tempest sonata and the 3rd movement of the Moonlight before the Waldstein. These  pieces will make the Valdstein a bit easier.

Add a tad of Chop-in. His Post. H. nocturne in C # is a nice advanced-beginner piece, and helps with scale practice. Kuhlau's Sonatinas will help too.

It should take at most 10 years to get to the Waldstein level. If it takes longer, get a new teacher

No matter what pieces you decide to learn, always remember, the only difficulty in music is expression. Everything is just a matter of time.

[aaron_ginn]

You vill be surprised once you reach this level. You wont be able to remember what it felt like to not play the piano. It will be part of you. Most of all, you will see, just how hard this piece really isnt.

This is one thing I'm beginning to discover.  As a non-player, watching people play is magical.  One has visions of how amazing it would be to be able to play well.  The reality is that when one begins to actually do it, much of that magic disappears.  At that point you realize playing whole songs is nothing more than taking small manageable steps and working through them step-by-step.

BTW, what is Beethoven's Op 42 no. 2?  I can't find that work.  Typo maybe?

[leucippus]

At that point you realize playing whole songs is nothing more than taking small manageable steps and working through them step-by-step.

So true.  And this applies to many things in life. Often people are afraid to start something because they are looking at the whole picture.  But if they just start taking baby steps in that direction before they realize it they are actually walking!  From there it's just a matter of time before they are also learning to jog and run.

[pianistimo]

agreed.  some teachers take the long route.  so, if you continue to do both - (take lessons and play things that you like as sightreading/practice afterwards)...it probably won't be a long period of time before you can play it. 

leucippus, medical problems?  yes.  i'd say putting pink dancing notes around my name and then burning it in effigy was quite a drastic change.  i'm waiting for you to come over and let me give you a lesson in relaxing at the piano.  being that you are so tall - i still think your bench is too high.  we shall experiment with chairs and find the correct height.  measure it.  and then see what you say. 

[rimv2]

This is one thing I'm beginning to discover.  As a non-player, watching people play is magical.  One has visions of how amazing it would be to be able to play well.  The reality is that when one begins to actually do it, much of that magic disappears.  At that point you realize playing whole songs is nothing more than taking small manageable steps and working through them step-by-step.

BTW, what is Beethoven's Op 42 no. 2?  I can't find that work.  Typo maybe?

49-2

Tis very difficult