Too hard?

[fred792k]

Hi there!

I've recently finished the second movement of the Pathetique Sonata. And I'm halfway done with Franz Liszt's Consolation no. 3 in D-flat Major. When I'm done with that, I have been thinking of playing Rachmaninoff's Prelude op. 23 no. 4 in D Major.

I love that piece so fantastically much! But is it too hard?

I think it might be, but I would like some opinions.

Cheers!

[john90]

I love that piece so fantastically much! But is it too hard?

Here is what I do. Get the music. Have a go at playing it every month or so for an hour, Don't spend more than that on it, until it starts to click, then spend more time on it if you can spare it. I find it a good motivator for my other work, which is then a preparatory part of my "dream piece" too.

[stevebob]

Here is what I do. Get the music. Have a go at playing it every month or so for an hour, Don't spend more than that on it, until it starts to click, then spend more time on it if you can spare it. I find it a good motivator for my other work, which is then a preparatory part of my "dream piece" too.

I'm curious about something:  did you really mean every month?  It is really ever possible for anything challenging to start to "click" when an hour every "month or so" is spent on it?

[john90]

I did mean every month, perhaps less frequently. Basically, if the piece is just way ahead of where you are now, something you really should not be playing yet, practice a few easier bars, then as you learn and master easier pieces, you map new techniques you pick up onto the previously difficult "dream piece". It is quite a motivator to be able to play a couple of bars of "the dream". I think this helps a little sight reading too, because you are almost starting from scratch each time, but you have that motivation driving you on.

[stevebob]

Thanks for clarifying.

[nataliethepianist]

I am finishing up Pathetique 2nd Movement as well, it is a wonderful piece. Personally, I think it will be a challenge, but a healthy challenge that does not overwhelm you. I think it will take longer to learn, so it might need more attention during practice.

Good luck with your studies.

- Natalie

[lostinidlewonder]

If you can solve the LH then it should be ok for you.