Filling in the gaps

[elsie07]

I have played piano for about ten years, but I feel that there are some gaps in my knowledge of music and ability to play.  I am currently filling in the gaps in theory, scales etc., and technique, but I am awful at ear training, sight reading, and improvisation.  There are also gaps in my playing abilities.  For the first six years of playing, I used the Alfred's Basic Piano Library series, which ends at about the level of the first movement of the Moonlight Sonata.  After that I began playing pieces like Mozart's variations on "Ah, vous dirai-je, maman," individual movements from Beethoven and Mozart sonatas, and I don't remember what else.  It was kind of advanced, though.  Most recently, I learned Mozart's Fantasy in d minor and now I am working on The Bogatyr Gates from Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.  I learn music very slowly, so I usually only learn two classical pieces per year, plus a few church pieces (I play in church occasionally).  I have performed a lot and taken lessons for most of the time that I have played piano, and I have also taught for three years.  However, to be a really competent musician and teacher, I think that I need to go back and fill in the gaps where I am not as competent and where I maybe skipped some things I should have worked on.  So my question is:

What are some pieces you would recommend that I go back and study, even though they are below my current level?  What are the "standard" repertoire pieces that you would recommend?  What about technique and scales, etc. - how do you practice that?  What about sight reading and ear training?  I welcome any and all suggestions.  I have about an hour a day to devote to practice, since I am a college student and very busy with homework.  I am actually considering a music major to help me become a better musician, but I also want to know how I can improve in these areas on my own.  I am going to talk to my teacher about these issues also, and I am certain that she will be willing to help, but I will not be able to take lessons much longer and so I need to know how to work on these things without the oversight and assistance of a teacher.

EDIT: By the way, I went through the lists of music on the site and typed up all the music listed as Level 6, which is what Mozart's fantasy in d min. is listed as.  So some of those pieces will be going on my list of music to learn, along with music at a lower level than that.

Thank you in advance for your help!

[jazzyprof]

I would first go back to Bach and work on the Two- and Three-Part Inventions.  They range from Grade 5 to 7.  I would pick a few and really study them.  They will do wonders for your technique and general musicianship.

[elsie07]

Thank you, I will try that!

[nachoba]

From what you say, your problem is not technique so practicing new pieces won´t help.
I would arrange a program including:
1. ear training: Get some ear training software. Musica Practica or Ear Master Pro. They are great for practicing intervals, scales, even progressions. Also practice rhythm dictation and melodic dictation
2. sight reading: get really basic stuff and start reading. See "rules" for practicing sight reading. Do a search in the forum for advice on practicing sight reading.
3. theory: get a good book on harmony and start reading and doing the exercises. Better, get a theacher!! You will save hours!. Also start with counterpoint as soon as you have the basics of harmony, I think it's better to try to level both (harmony and counterpoint)
4. Apply sight reading and ear training to sight sing melodies.

That will keep you busy for more than an hour. I'm doing that at now..besides studing piano. Let me know if I can help...
take care