Playing with 2 hands/sight reading/everything...

[peebo]

I've been playing for quite a while now and I haven't really made any progress.. I can't really play anything. There are some days when I practice sight reading and others where I've just messed around on harder (ridiculously above my level) pieces very slowly just to hear how they sound.. I've managed to memorize a few things along the way like Mozart's Turkish March (up to the octaves) and Chopin's Prelude No.15 Op.28 (about 3/4 through) BUT are they in the correct time? Not a chance.. All rhythm was played by ear.. Learning both took a pretty decent amount of time as well. Of course I didn't really practice them seriously (I would NEVER play them in front of anyone).. I understand they are above my level. I just wanted to have FUN playing the piano for once.. you could call it slacking off...

Timing seems to be my real obstacle.. that, and sight reading 2 bars at once (I often mix bass clef up with the treble clef. I also have to play VERY slowly)... I don't really know how to start getting better. Any advice??

On a somewhat unrelated note, how long does it usually take you to learn a piece?

[stevebob]

I’m curious how long you’ve been playing and if you’re entirely self-taught.  (I assume you’re working without a teacher, who I expect would address the problem areas you’ve identified.)

I think you should examine why you’re having the frustrations you describe, and doing so may lead you toward some solutions that work for you.

Sightreading takes practice, and it improves in proportion to the amount of time you put into practicing it.  But you need to be doing that correctly as regards method and material; a couple of essential elements are using the very simplest music you can actually get through with reasonable accuracy in notes and rhythm, and playing hands-together.  Much has been written about sightreading, and you can find more information here by using the search feature.

Regarding rhythm, there’s no reason to be trying to determine it by ear.  Note values are already printed on the music; a note’s duration is as important as its pitch, and sightreading practice should make you more comfortable with identifying and responding to both.

It sounds like you’re not counting time in your practice or your playing.  You need to, at least until the rhythmic accuracy of a given piece (and your sense of rhythm generally) are better developed.

Finally, remember that this is supposed to be fun.  Consider your goals; unless you’re preparing for a career in music, the way you direct your energy with piano study is up to you.  Deciding what you really want to get out of your musical practice should guide you toward how to get there.

On a somewhat unrelated note, how long does it usually take you to learn a piece?

Obviously, the number of variables here is such that only a vague answer is possible.  Everybody is different, and so is every piece of music; people have differing ideas about when a piece is sufficiently "learned" to be considered finished as well.

That said, most pianists probably choose pieces that they can learn within a period ranging from a few weeks to a few months given the practice time available to them.  Music that can be learned in a shorter period may not offer an appropriate challenge, and boredom and staleness can set in when the process goes on for many months.