I am looking for advice on how to improve at piano on a tight time-budget. I don't have time to take lessons, I can't even sit at a keyboard for more than 15 minutes a day. I can sight-read the level 3 pieces here, and I am probably good to delve into most any level 4 or 5 piece. I can think of 3 possibilities, (1) just play/study progressive exercises, (2) master all the level 3 pieces, then move to level 4, (3) pick a piece at a higher level and work on it until I have it mastered, continue this way. Any thoughts on what works best? Btw, I am mainly interested in baroque and classical period, ie from Bach to Beethoven. One more thing, I have much more free time away from a keyboard, is there something I can do with that time that would help me?
Here's what I think you should do :
Consider this a "crash course" in learning a new (for you) practice method. First, pick out a level 3/4 piece of music (it's supposed to be easy for you to play and understand) that you like and that interests you. Away from the piano, figure out what key it is in (if you don't already know). If you don't know the scale
very well for this piece, take your 15 minutes at the piano to study* the scale (for as many days as it takes to become comfortable there).
*First, with your RH play the scale one note at a time ascending then descending (can be with one finger, just don't WORRY about fingering for the moment) using the I, IV, V chords (if it's a Major key) or the i, iv, v chords (if it's a minor key) as accompaniment (you may wish to (re)familiarize yourself with these chords before you start). The goal is to match the scale degree you are playing in your RH with one of the three chords in you LH -- All the notes of the scale can be found in a combination of these three chords, and, these are the most common chords you will find in the piece. Then, spend a little time improvising in this key using a similar principle in matching scale degrees with chords as you did when just playing the scale note by note. Start simple.
If/once you
do know the scale very well, giving yourself a physical/mental/aural context for the notes/chords within this piece, then what you do with your 15 minutes at the piano will change.
Since you have time away from the piano that you can use, yes, there are plenty of things you can do away from the piano. Since you have become/are familiar with the three chords I mentioned above (depending on the mode), see if you can identify on the score all of the places those chords occur, in whatever inversion they occur in. You can take that further and figure out what other chords are involved, too. Basically, study the score and listen to the music (there is a lot more you can do in studying the score, too).
Away from the piano, break the piece down into 15-minute practice sessions (this may include memorization). Then, each day take a practice chunk to the piano (you will have repeated chunks between days, but it will get easier each time you practice it and therefore give you time for a new chunk). You will want to start with the hardest part, but if you have picked an easy piece then nothing is going to be TOO difficult for you. Since this will be your first time studying a piece like this, you are just aiming at using and getting used to the process.
Once you have achieved the piece to your satisfaction, you can begin a new piece in the same way. Depending on your personal learning style, you may wish to pick another easier one at this point, or you may wish to up the anty a bit -- it's up to you and whatever is going to keep you motivated and progressing.
Hope that helps ! Cheers !
Topic: learning on my own