To learn "hard stuff" or not?

[super_ardua]

A much discussed topic on the forum,

Supposing you are abrsm grade 7 and a bit and you wanted to learn something,  eg. HR2 would it be too much of a stretch?

In another section,  I have been told that I have a high chance of getting injured if I wanted to try an eg. Godowsky LH etude.  However,  is it possible,  because is it not instint to adjust your movement if something is uncomfortable?

[in_love_with_liszt]

About a year and a half ago I studied the HR #12, and got through it OK, and managed to grab first place in a competition, hovewer I definitely was not efficient with the piece. I just now am going back and re-working it and it is soooooooo much easier, mainly due to me having better technique now, and more experience. If you do attempt a harder piece I would say just play it as a study, and not as a performance piece first. Then later on (a year or two down the road) go back and re-work the piece and you will be able to turn it into a great concert piece.

[alvaro_galvez]

Man, if you dont push yourself you´ll move too slow and time is precious so by all means go ahead!!
Try to make a real stride with every new piece. Dont get me wrong, play pieces that you CAN play, dont go over your head but always make a possible stride when learning a new piece.

You dont risk injury if you start your sessions with warm-up techinque exercises and scales (like you should always do).

[donjuan]

A much discussed topic on the forum,

Supposing you are abrsm grade 7 and a bit and you wanted to learn something,  eg. HR2 would it be too much of a stretch?

I dont think grade levels are significant indicators of a pianist's musicianship.  I know many students who have their ARCT and have lousy phrasing skills and no performance at all.  I mean, I saw this one guy stand up before he finished playing.  and he walked like an APE!

Dont go thinking just because you have patience and disipline to study and take some tests you will find Liszt any easier.
donjuan

[larse]

No, like Bernhard said at the other forum, any grade or paper you may have does not mean anything at all. Your skill is the only thing that counts, your ability to perform as you sit by the piano. Your skill cannot be judged by anyone else than the ones who hear you play. And that's none of us.