Advice

[shas]

I always seem to have trouble "finishing off" peices. I can master all the sections, polishing the cadenzas and what not but, weather it be through motivation, ability or somthing else I can't ever seem to play it all the way through with out hesitation. or I get stuck with one last technical element that prevents me from dooing so. As a result I caan't perform very many compleated peices.

Could any one give me perspective on this, prehaps a chang of aprouch. Thanks

[Antnee]

I have the same problem. I'm trying to change my approach. You see, my method before was to memorize a little and then practicce that part until it was perfect. I have been learning that this method takes a long time and is probably one of the worst ways to effectively learn a piece. For me anyway. For this reason, many of my pieces sound well up to a certain point and then get sloppy and sounds sort of broken up or I just don't know the rest of it yet. From now on I'm going to memorize the entire thing first, then start working out the details, this way the pice is technically 'finished' in your mind and you could actually play it, just not at speed and finished. You know what I mean? I think this would be the best way to make sure pieces you learn will always be finished. Is this what you're asking?

-Tony-

[Shagdac]

You say that you master all the sections, but have trouble playing it all the way through. Do you practice it primarily in sections? Perhaps you have not practiced it enough beginning to end with no hesitations...that takes practice as well, bringing all the parts together. If there is one technical element that prevents from finishing, practice that technique over and over. Also, is it possible that as you near the end you get bored with the piece or the last parts to learn? I have had that happen. And it is discouraging to know the beginnings of tons of pieces, while not have many completed.

Why not pick 1 piece, and make the committment to stick with that piece until you have it up to performance level. Practice all "tricky" parts seperately, and remember you must practice the piece as a whole as well. If there is a particular part where you always pause or get hung up, practice transitioning from that part to the next as well.

Good luck.

s