I Can't Read but I Play Well

[chelseasmilexx]

So I don't know if I should post this topic but I seriously need to ask questions because not even other people that play the piano around my place would answer this for me clearly.

Please read everything below before you start posting any replies.

I'm about to turn 15 on February 2011. My life basically revolves around music. I play different instruments and I'm capable of mastering them in a quick amount of time. Piano was my first and my second majority is the electric guitar.

Anyways, the first time I touched the keys of a piano was the day I turned 4 years old and that was when I experimented on playing Sonata No. 14 "Moonlight" (1st Mov.) by Beethoven (on the right hand only, of course). I was definitely intrigued, however I won't be motivated when my parents put me through piano lessons and such, instead I play at my best when no one is around me. I haven't touched a piano till I turned 11 after quitting the lessons when I was 10 because nothing really progressed with my skills.

I trust my ears more than anything, that's basically how I learn to play music using both the piano and guitar. I can also note different pitches through my hearing; some people say I have 'perfect pitch'. A lot of people say I have brilliant analytical skills but I don't think that I do (I'm quite gullible too haha)

I'm aware of the fact that I know how to read notes at the bar lines only, but it's definitely no good at all when I'm told to play while reading. Instead, I would hear someone play the song and I'd memorize it by heart.

I didn't have a piano till October 2010, my parents finally got me a Grand Piano after a few years of convincing them that I could actually play it. (This happened with the drums and the electric guitar too). Before that I'd secretly play for fun in the music rooms at school.

Moving on~

So the first song I managed to play was of course, Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. I've learned quite a lot of classical songs on my own. I even learned different techniques through my own instincts.

Through another topic here in this forum, I found out that a lot of you would take months to learn Chopin's Etudes. Apparently, I'm learning the Revolutionary Etude right now and I've managed to learn about a fourth of it in less than 3 weeks... and I admit it is pretty challenging, especially for the fact that it's hard to read the music sheet and also quite hard for me to rely on hearing the song (damn it's super fast).

I'm sorta worried that I won't be progressing as well as the rest and over all I'm not so confident in performance either. I don't know the 'proper' way of playing and all I can do right now is play through instinct. I've sought for help from my music teacher who definitely favors me and he's placed me in the Mozart International Piano Competition in Thailand this year.

So, from all this stuff I kinda typed down... I'm just going to ask a few questions:

1. Is this considered fast or slow in learning (by myself)?
2. Is the method I use to learn considered 'odd'?
3. Are there other people out there any of you know who are in the same situation as I am?
4. Is this even common?

Thanks, I know it's weird and I'm not so sure if this is the right place to post but still, thank you

[jimbo320]

Hi Chelsea,
Let me start by wishing you Happy Birthday a little early.
By what I've read you sound very talented. I too played guitars
by ear when I was younger. Now I'm teaching myself piano. I too got the reading thing down but not very good at sight reading.
You mentioned a "proper" way of playing. I take that to mean playing like some student of the Classics. There's a lot than can be said for proper technique when it comes to agility of the fingers but I place more importance on doing whatever I need to do for the music. If I can play a piece comfortably and make it sound right then it's proper enough for me. hahaha
Take into consideration that you are your most detailed critic. Most people just listen and don't even pay attention to what techniques you have. Even if they do they're your techniques.
There are no absolutes in art......

Musically, Jimbo

[becky8898]

Hi Chelsea: just a few things. happy birthday . I understand where you are coming from. im 3 years younger than you, but I can also pretty well hear a song and get the hang of it . Anyway , I was taught that there are two main areas in Piano playing.  Knowing what to do , and having the ability to do it.  How you get to the point of learning a piece of music isnt  nearly as important as learning the piece. 

As far as the Chopin etude goes , or any piece of music , its only fast if you dont have the technique at your disposable to meet the physical demands of the music.  What your really saying is not that the music is fast, but your muscles are still to slow to feel comfortable with it.

Where all strange in our own way , there is no super duper special way to play the piano.  bottom line is eventually  we can learn a repertoire of music and do our very best with that music. 

Make decisons that allow you to pursue your goal, based on your own personal strengths.

best of luck with your studies

Cheers, Becky

[chelseasmilexx]

Thank you for the early birthday wishes

and also a huge thanks to the advice. I'll see what I can do then I do, however, have one question then.

I know my muscles aren't quite adjusted yet so what do I do to make it do so? And I have a problem with relaxing...

[jimbo320]

Here's some simple exercises that help to gain finger strength and agility....
https://www.poppiano.com.sg/Finger_Exercises.html

[chelseasmilexx]

Thank you!!

[pianissimo123]

I don't really know what to say. I guess what you would have to do then is make an estimation of your ability personally and come to that conclusion yourself. I don't think anyone can give you a rating of your capabilities as accurately as you yourself can. All I can tell you is this- be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of some one else.

The only advice I could give you is relax and enjoy the journey. It takes time. Don't put the horse before the cart..Life isn't all about competition.    Sure you can try your best , however, you need to develop confidence in your own abilities and strengths. As you find strength from inside yourself the rest will follow.

And never stop learning. Because the day you stop learning is the day you stop becoming.   I hope this helped. All the best.

[chelseasmilexx]

Thanks a bunch pianissimo123 well I have been progressing quite well so far so I guess I might know where my abilities are right now

[john11inc]

Bullshit thread is bullshit.

[jimbo320]

So sad that you cannot get out of your shell enough to realize that there's more in life than what you think John!

[becky8898]

Bullshit thread is bullshit.

Hi John: I know I may get dumped on for this , but I just couldnt keep quiet.  You may be totally right about this thread, but how does your quote above help anyone in a constructive way. This is the students board, not one of the main boards.  Which means there are alot of people just starting out who read this forum.  Just throwing a quote in like that doesnt explain why you have reached your conclusions about this thread. I know from reading your posts on the other forums your a very smart guy.  Maybe alot of the users over here arent so smart.  How about being a mentor to the students here.  I hope your not mad at me.  I Said this only with the best of intentions. 

Cheers, Becky

[john11inc]

You may be totally right about this thread, but how does your quote above help anyone in a constructive way.

Cheers, Becky

It doesn't.  I'll be quiet, now.

[jimbo320]

Being quiet is easier than being understanding??? So be it...

[pianissimo123]

That's funny. Now I have the song "Let it Be" stuck in my head.
To me understanding is easier. Although quiet understanding is like a peanut butter and jam sandwich.