Learning Liebestraum Nocturne No. 3 by Lizt

[solstyce]

I actually started learning this piece when I was 13, but I never finished. I was able to learn up to measure 51, but after that it all went downhill. In a way I'm sort of glad I didn't go any further with it because I didn't have the best technique in the world, and it was beginning to cause a great deal of problems with my right shoulder. Here I am now, 17, and I want to try it again. Right now I'm just going over the parts of the piece I already knew, adding more expression and making sure I have all the notes and dynamics right, etc. I was wondering if anyone had some tips on learning some of the more difficult parts, measures 25 and 59 in particular. Right now I have just been repeating the right hand over and over again at a moderate speed, making sure to get good tone on each note. I'm not sure what to do beyond this. Obviously I would go to the left hand next, but like I said, I just wanted to know if anyone else had any ideas on how to learn the two measures apart from what I am already doing. Thanks in advance.

*cough* Typos for the win. >.< Sorry about that.

[chopinspride]

I have not played "Liebestraum," but I have just looked over it just now.

Initially, I would recommend that if you're technique is not up to it, I would not play such difficult pieces, but I know that sometimes we fall in-love with a piece and just want to play it no-matter-what, so I will give you advice just now.

Firstly, do not concentrate on musicality, dynamics and all that extra stuff focus only on the notes. Play them loudly and strongly, do not be "musical" yet. Do not use the pedal AT ALL.
 
Secondly, I am going to ask whether or not you have a good fingering. I am guessing the bit you find difficult is the thirds. Practise them SLOWLY! The fingering in my edition is, RH: 41, 32, 52, 31, 42, 31. It just repeats after that. After that I have 42, 31, 42, 31, 42, 31, 42, 31, 42, 31, 42, 31, Starting on the d and f flat. Do you understand? I could scan this score if you want me to.

How I would practise...

3 times, strongly loudly.

3 times, play the bottom note then the top not,

3 times, the reverse,

3 times, just lower notes,

3 times, just upper notes,

3 times, strongly loudly.

I really hope this works Inform me of you progress please!


John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

[solstyce]

Ah, yes, the thirds are difficult. I have the same fingering in my score as well. Thanks! I'll keep you updated.

[chopinspride]

I hope the ways of practising work for you.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

[emma84]

I like this interpretation of this beautiful piece: