A Quick Question

[shingo]

Hey,
I am currently playing Beatles and Elton John music along with my set lesson stuff. Having recently re-listened to Moonlight Sonata I realised that at some point in the future I would like to aim towards something like this. At the moment I feel I may just be able to struggle through it but I think even that is optimistic. Therefore I would prefer to try and pick up some stuff which is of a similar style but a little easier. I know it will be hard to recommend as I have not stated my grade but I do not do grades and so I cannot really say, I’m not exactly a beginner but on the other hand I’m not advanced. Any suggestions will be warmly appreciated.
Another quick point is when practising is there any tips on how to progress through the piece at a steady rate; what I mean is, for example I will have half the piece completed and when I sit down to practise find it very tempting to play over this section for some time (knowing I have the hang of it) rather than face the unknown.
Thanks in advance.

[andresdo]

Hey Shingo.

I can suggest that perhaps you leave that Beethoven one for a later stage. The thing is: Beethoven is known to be the most difficult pieces to play from the classical-era. I downloaded that specific piece recently and came to the impression that it has very deep emotional messages that one must bring out of the music. If you're going to struggle tecnically, you will have problems to paint the bigger, but detailed, picture of the piece. That won't give you any self-satisfaction. With Beethoven you can also perhaps adopt a slight romanticist-mindset, as he ends the classical period. But remeber to retain the feminine touch the classical era requires. For example you MUST play the first part of the moonlight SOFTLY. I'm male, and I sometimes tend to play hard, already on the first page.. carefull.

Regarding your second question: Be sure to set very certain, but realistic, goals as to when you want a piece to be finished. This helps, because you WANT to get it finished. Sometimes it is'nt bad to linger on the first part, because it prepares you emotionally for the rest that is to come.

[shingo]

Thanks Andresdo,
I completely agree with the Beethoven, I certainly don't want to spoil it for myself just for the sake of waiting a while till am ready for it and can enjoy it more. And I’ll give the goal setting a go. I have always thought twice about doing this as I don't want it to seem too much of a chore to get it done for a certain time, and I may end up rushing bits, but definitely a good suggestion and I’ll see how it goes. It may be just what I need!

[andresdo]

Hey there.

It was a pleasure to help. If you want any recommendations in future or to chat, you can mail me at devillierssenator@gmail.com

enjoy your day.

[sarahlein]

Just in case you still want to work on similar style pieces-until you feel better able to handle the:

very deep emotional messages that one must bring out of the music.

and since I agree with:

If you're going to struggle tecnically, you will have problems to paint the bigger, but detailed, picture of the piece. That won't give you any self-satisfaction.

You might find these of interest:

Prelude no.7 in B minor-Robert D.Vandall
Etude op.125 no.6-Stephen Heller
and Etude op.47 no.15- also by Heller

Listed in progressive order, they are of similar style to the "Moonlight" but of course not as technically demanding.
Hope this helps!


P.S If you have trouble finding these pieces pm me

[shingo]

Thank you Sarahlein,
I can't wait to have a look at them later this evening.

Another thing I was thinking about today was practice time. I know there is another thread  adressing this in a way, so I decided to add it on the end of here rather than start a new topic. Currently I manage to fit in an hour a night and 2 hours on weekends. I understand that it is quality and not quantity but is this a deacent amount of time to make a good level of progress. I am only asking so as to rid this feeling of guilt when I have finished a session that maybe more is needed. However some times this isn't possible due to other commitments.

[andresdo]

Shingo,

If I may respond to your question to Sarahlein: The fact is, there will never be enough practise time (I've done my grade eight - cum Laude) because we aim for what we think the piece should be like when it is 100% ready. And we know that no piece will ever be 100% perfect. Moral of the story: Practise as much as you can, but you'ra not a professional, so enjoy life by doing those other things unrushed as well. It is a difficult balance to find, because you want to get somewhere, but because I did my grade 8 exam this year together with matric, I effectively could only practise 1.5 hours pd. And so I continued for 6 days a week. The Bible says rest on the seventh day, and I believe that, though I were'nt so lucky to let that seventh day fall on an sunday every week. But rest is also important!

[sarahlein]

Shingo, I'll be sending you the music now. Did not manage earlier-sorry

About,

Another thing I was thinking about today was practice time. I know there is another thread  adressing this in a way, so I decided to add it on the end of here rather than start a new topic. Currently I manage to fit in an hour a night and 2 hours on weekends. I understand that it is quality and not quantity but is this a deacent amount of time to make a good level of progress. I am only asking so as to rid this feeling of guilt when I have finished a session that maybe more is needed. However some times this isn't possible due to other commitments.

first think about this, what is progress?
I could go on and on to write what I think but then that wouldn't be a conversation would it

[shingo]

Thanks for the replys,

If I may respond to your question to Sarahlein: The fact is, there will never be enough practise time (I've done my grade eight - cum Laude) because we aim for what we think the piece should be like when it is 100% ready. And we know that no piece will ever be 100% perfect. Moral of the story: Practise as much as you can, but you'ra not a professional, so enjoy life by doing those other things unrushed as well. It is a difficult balance to find, because you want to get somewhere, but because I did my grade 8 exam this year together with matric, I effectively could only practise 1.5 hours pd. And so I continued for 6 days a week. The Bible says rest on the seventh day, and I believe that, though I were'nt so lucky to let that seventh day fall on an sunday every week. But rest is also important!

Yes I suppose it is about balance, and I will only develop this on my own as it is an individual thing. At the moment I find my routine ok, but if it becomes to hectic what with college work etc then I will take full advantage of that "7th day"  .

first think about this, what is progress?

Well, by progress I mean improvement (I think). Just gradually (not some intense concert pianist schedule) becoming better at playing the piano, so one day I can look back on what I used to struggle with and think to myself how easy it now seems.
I am not sure if this is what I am meant to think progress is? What do you see it as?

[nyquist]

Yes I suppose it is about balance, and I will only develop this on my own as it is an individual thing. At the moment I find my routine ok, but if it becomes to hectic what with college work etc then I will take full advantage of that "7th day"  .

I read somewhere something to the effect that happiness does not come from a balanced life but from a hotly pursued obsession. 

nyquist

[sarahlein]

Well, by progress I mean improvement

Ok. So when you say:

Currently I manage to fit in an hour a night and 2 hours on weekends.

What makes you think that this might not lead to improvement?
Have you made any progress so far? What about if you compare the results with those of last year? last 6 months? last 3 months? last month? last week? yesterday?

A while ago someone in this Forum said the following:

"If you learn quickly and incorrectly,that's bad.
If you learn quickly and correctly, that's good.
If you learn slowly and correctly, that is also good.
But if you learn slowly and incorrectly, that's the worst."

 

[shingo]

Sorry for the delayed reply, I have been rather busy lately.
Wise words both of you. They have made me realise that progress will occur whether its an hour a day or an hour a week. It is only the rate of prgress that time can influence. Therfore I am comfotable with my routine as I feel it delivers a steady rate of prgress (when comparing against 6 month ago etc) and on the other hand I have enough time to do the countless other things that need to be done at the moment.
Thanks people.