How to become good from bad?

[vexx]

Haha perhaps a pretty poor title -
I learnt piano when i was very young for a few years, and then before i got to 10 i stopped.. last year i taught myself clair de lune and can play it very well after some practice back then, also learnt the start of some other pieces.. but now when i try and learn a piece i can't at all, like i struggle really hard to learn two hands together either by site reading which is poor or via synthesia through site..
i really want to be really good where i can play high level pieces with some ease.. what do i do exactly? i have a very good memory to learn the notes/memorise the sequences if that helps..
and ive never had much luck with teachers
any suggestions? im struggling should i try again with a teacher..?

thank you

[nanabush]

If you are good with sequences, then you should go through scales/triads/arpeggios.  These commonly come up in 'difficult' pieces; once you are comfortable with base techniques, their appearances in pieces stand out more.  A really good example would be the Schubert Eb major Impromptu.  If someone's never played a scale and tries to learn that, it could take them a decade.  If you know your Eb major scales (among a few others) you'd start seeing the patterns that come up in it.

I'd really suggest working through some easier pieces to work on coordinating hands together (fun stuff on the side really helps, it keeps you motivated.  When I was 10 to around 15 I'd always look for video game music to keep myself happy lol).  Lots of difficult music (beyond someone) doesn't really add anything or elaborate on anything if they haven't gone through any basics behind it.

Learn the major scales up to 4 Sharps and Flats (set a goal) and learn the triads that go with them along with a V-I cadence.  If you check that up online you'll find it nearly right away.  Do some note naming; maybe get a theory book and work through it (the forum has tons of resources) although that isn't necessary if you will be just starting out.

-get comfortable with reading the staff (treble and bass clef), finding notes wherever
-the more you practice triads and chords, you'll know how to play them right away when they come up in a piece (claire de lune has a ton of chords right on the first two pages)
-lots of sight reading practice (easy pieces help this the most in my opinion)
-rhythm... try not playing too much by ear, and if you see a bunch of sixteenth notes with dots combined with seemingly random rests, try to work it out and really know the rhythm behind it

Keep in mind that if it's something you realistically want to do, it will take some time.  Never feel like you need to rush through anything, or you might be defeating the purpose of learning a piece. 

Good luck!

[vexx]

thank for the reply, sorry i havent checked till now!

i feel really stupid because i haven't done any scales for about 10 years hehe making not completely understand what you asked.

So I looked it about and it said the major scales are "C, G, D, A, E, B, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db and Gb" are these the ones I should learn?  or are there too many here/ not enough?
is the triad just the first, third and fifth note in that scale played at the same time?  but what is the V-I cadence- i couldnt find this out properly..

Once i figure this out, i think ill follow what else you've said thank you

should i just learn all this stuff perfectly and then proceed to learn some pieces that fit them like that Schubert Eb Major impromptu? what else can you recommend? i adore chopin's works if that may help..

[keyboardclass]

You need to learn how to relax like a master.  The best teacher would be a help.