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Topic: A bit confused!  (Read 1210 times)

Offline tetsuo

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A bit confused!
on: June 15, 2008, 04:56:22 AM
Hello there!,

I studied music for about 3 years but it's been a while now.. I'm not very good at playing Piano but I decided to dedicate more time now. Due to economic reasons I am not going to be able to find a teacher for 2 months or so.

A couple of pieces that I played: Clementi Sontas, Haydn piano sonatas, Chopin's Prelude n.4 and 6, some Bach inventions and Liszt's Consolation N.3 if I recall correctly.

So here's my question,

After two years of not doing anything, what can I study until I have a teacher?. I picked up Mozart's K.545 Piano Sonata in C Major and the Fantasy in D minor but I am not sure if that's good for me.  I don't have a problem when it comes to reading but I'm a bit rusty hehe.

How far from any Chopin's Waltzes am I?.

Thanks a lot for your time!

Offline faulty_damper

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Re: A bit confused!
Reply #1 on: June 15, 2008, 07:15:38 AM
Quote
After two years of not doing anything, what can I study until I have a teacher?.

You can, and should, study whatever you want.  It is you who wants to play the piano.

Quote
How far from any Chopin's Waltzes am I?.

Open up the book and try some on.  Considering your situation, only you know what fits.

You made this post because you haven't developed confidence in your abilities and want reassurance from others who don't even know your situation.  Only you know your situation and only you know you.  We don't know you so whatever reassurance we give you will be of no help.  It may make you feel better, however. 

The single most important factor that leads to success is effort.  This is not an opinion, this is statistical fact.  The more effort you put in, the more you will get out.  In piano playing, it is more mental effort than it is physical effort.  Remember: Playing is easy - learning is hard.


So here is the advice you are looking for:
You can continue to learn to play pieces that you feel are within your level.  You've only played a couple of Clementi and Haydn sonatas which mean there are several dozens you haven't learned.  Why don't you learn more of them?  Have you tried the on in A major, Hob.XVI:12?  It's not that difficult and it is musically very rewarding, especially the minuet movement.  It happens to be my favorite of Haydn's sonatas.

The Mozart sonata seems like a good fit considering what you've played already.  It shouldn't be too difficult for you.  But the Fantasy in D minor sounds a bit out of reach right now.

As for the Chopin waltzes, most of them are not that difficult.  The main difficulties with the waltzes is the time signature and the placements of the left hand.  But it's easy with a bit of practice.  And they sound nice.  Why don't you try the one that sounds like a carnival?  It's Op.64 No.3 in A-flat Major.  This is one of my favorite waltzes of Chopin's.

Best of luck and good effort!

Offline tetsuo

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Re: A bit confused!
Reply #2 on: June 15, 2008, 02:13:35 PM
You can, and should, study whatever you want.  It is you who wants to play the piano.

Open up the book and try some on.  Considering your situation, only you know what fits.

You made this post because you haven't developed confidence in your abilities and want reassurance from others who don't even know your situation.  Only you know your situation and only you know you.  We don't know you so whatever reassurance we give you will be of no help.  It may make you feel better, however. 

The single most important factor that leads to success is effort.  This is not an opinion, this is statistical fact.  The more effort you put in, the more you will get out.  In piano playing, it is more mental effort than it is physical effort.  Remember: Playing is easy - learning is hard.


So here is the advice you are looking for:
You can continue to learn to play pieces that you feel are within your level.  You've only played a couple of Clementi and Haydn sonatas which mean there are several dozens you haven't learned.  Why don't you learn more of them?  Have you tried the on in A major, Hob.XVI:12?  It's not that difficult and it is musically very rewarding, especially the minuet movement.  It happens to be my favorite of Haydn's sonatas.

The Mozart sonata seems like a good fit considering what you've played already.  It shouldn't be too difficult for you.  But the Fantasy in D minor sounds a bit out of reach right now.

As for the Chopin waltzes, most of them are not that difficult.  The main difficulties with the waltzes is the time signature and the placements of the left hand.  But it's easy with a bit of practice.  And they sound nice.  Why don't you try the one that sounds like a carnival?  It's Op.64 No.3 in A-flat Major.  This is one of my favorite waltzes of Chopin's.

Best of luck and good effort!

Thanks a lot for your advice!. I am going to try the Haydn Sonata you mentioned as well as the Chopin Waltz!

Oh by the way, I was not looking for reassurance. When I studied in college, people with the same level as me used to play similar things. There are pieces easier than others and that's why I asked the question.
 

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