Getting back into it...

[j1mrocks]

Well here goes,

I started playing piano when I was 8 years old, and I took six consecutive years of lessons. Then, my 14-year-old self decided that I had better things to do and I dropped it. About 2 years later I started lessons up again lasting another year (money got a little tight so I had to drop it again against my will). Now, after about another 2 year break, I've decided I can't live without piano. The stress relief I feel when I play helps me get through my week.

Seriously, I think my head would explode if I couldn't sit down in my apartment room and 'tickle the ivories' for a few hours a day. However, I've come to a point where I really need help. The first round of lessons I attacked like any stupid 8-year old would, with the ferocity of a moth. I didn't like going to lessons, doing the theory, or even actually playing the piano pieces assigned to me. Once I was deprived of it, I realized that I actually did enjoy playing piano; it was the songs that kept me from enjoying it.

So, the second round of lessons I took with a different teacher, one that allowed me to pick a few songs I wished to play in conjunction with songs meant to further my abilities (stepping-stone songs ). I learned to play Fur Elise and Moonlight Sonata mvt. 1, and a few other jazz songs I honestly can't remember the name or tune to along with a multitude of the stepping stone songs.

Now, I bought an 88 key keyboard (Casio PX-130) for my room. I want nothing more than to be able to play Chopin's Nocturne OP 48 no.1; yet it is really out of my ability at this moment. My question is: what songs can I learn will help me be able to play that song? I'm currently working on Clair De Lune but I have a feeling that when the third page I'm going to have to call it quits hahaha.

Thanks for any input and/or making it through my wall of text.

[jimbo320]

Hey J1,
First I'd like to say welcome.
Finding joy and relaxation when playing is awesome.
The only way I know how to break through a rough spot is by relentless practice over and over until you finally do.
One method is to first get the fingering down then start out playing slow a few times through and then picking up the tempo a little at a time until you reach the correct speed.
Hope that helps...

[j1mrocks]

First I'd like to say welcome. Finding joy and relaxation when playing is awesome. The only way I know how to break through a rough spot is by relentless practice over and over until you finally do.
One method is to first get the fingering down then start out playing slow a few times through and then picking up the tempo a little at a time until you reach the correct speed.
Hope that helps...

You suggest just diving into it? I feel as though I'd get frustrated and give up too easily. That uh...doppio(?) part at the end is quite possibly my favorite part of any piece I've heard.

[jimbo320]

"Follow your passion like you're running after the last bus leaving for the night"

[outin]

As I've also returned to piano after a long time, I can relate to you, although I think you haven't been away quite as long. My goal also it to be able to play Chopin and some other favorites of mine. But most of his works are way too hard now, I can play through one predule, but it still needs work to sound really good.

I decided to take the long and slow way, started lessons and started playing the easier pieces that I can download from this site. I will work my way through the easier pieces first to make sure I have the basic skills and experience before really starting on the difficult ones that I ultimately want to play. It has been a real pleasure to see how fast I am learning now, even though my memory and concentration needs to get better. I can't remember much about playing as a kid, but I certainly remember advancing much slower.

Of course I could try to learn one difficult piece with a lot of work, but I want to be able to play more than just one  or two pieces properly. So it might take me 5 years or 10 years to be where I want to be. But practicing is really relaxing and enjoyable (especially now that I have a really nice piano) so what's the hurry. I'm playing for my own enjoyment, I'm too old to become a pianist anyway

Good luck!

[j1mrocks]

As I've also returned to piano after a long time, I can relate to you, although I think you haven't been away quite as long. My goal also it to be able to play Chopin and some other favorites of mine. But most of his works are way too hard now, I can play through one predule, but it still needs work to sound really good.

I decided to take the long and slow way, started lessons and started playing the easier pieces that I can download from this site. I will work my way through the easier pieces first to make sure I have the basic skills and experience before really starting on the difficult ones that I ultimately want to play. It has been a real pleasure to see how fast I am learning now, even though my memory and concentration needs to get better. I can't remember much about playing as a kid, but I certainly remember advancing much slower.

Of course I could try to learn one difficult piece with a lot of work, but I want to be able to play more than just one  or two pieces properly. So it might take me 5 years or 10 years to be where I want to be. But practicing is really relaxing and enjoyable (especially now that I have a really nice piano) so what's the hurry. I'm playing for my own enjoyment, I'm too old to become a pianist anyway

Good luck!

Hah! I think we are in the same boat. My worry is that my love for the piece will sour due to the frustration of failure. I think I'll follow your example and just pick a few easier pieces at random and hope that I'll get where I want to be in a relatively short timeframe 

[tantif]

"Follow your passion like you're running after the last bus leaving for the night"

I like that very much and totally agree with it Jimbo 320...

[pianowolfi]

J1mrocks, your choice of "piece of passion" impresses me
 
I think it is for sure one of the most profound pieces of the piano repertoire, and everybody who has a passion for it deserves my utmost respect in the first place!

However, I don't fully agree with that "last bus"-approach because it might add some severe hecticness to the learning process.

You have time, you are young, you have lost nothing. Why run for your life?

Don't let yourself be frustrated if it doesn't work at the first or second, or even tenth attempt. Your goal is clear. Step back from the hecticness and from being out of breath and take time to consider your next steps. Plan carefully. Mistakes are part of the path, so don't worry about them. But don't get tense and don't feel under pressure and don't feel like you have missed anything.

Certainly it will be very good if you find other pieces that lead up to your goal. Try to become your own conductor.

I think, as far as I can say, you might want to learn more about tonalities, the circle of fifths, key signatures and the fundamental building stones of music, like triads, chords, harmony and scales. Why? Your potential struggle with "Clair de lune" stems in all probability from a lack of experience at all those basic elements. There you might need to catch up a bit. Learn all you can about intervals, triads, scales, learn the circle of fifths, maybe even a bit of counterpoint and harmony.
Then learn the easier Chopin Preludes like op. 28 nos. 4, 6, 15, 20 and some "easier" nocturnes like op 9, nos. 1 and 2, op 37,1 or similar ones. And don't forget op. 48,2, the sibling! I love that one as much as no.1 and it's very very precious, but much easier! All of those are as well very much worth the effort!

[j1mrocks]

I think, as far as I can say, you might want to learn more about tonalities, the circle of fifths, key signatures and the fundamental building stones of music, like triads, chords, harmony and scales. Why? Your potential struggle with "Clair de lune" stems in all probability from a lack of experience at all those basic elements. There you might need to catch up a bit. Learn all you can about intervals, triads, scales, learn the circle of fifths, maybe even a bit of counterpoint and harmony.
Then learn the easier Chopin Preludes like op. 28 nos. 4, 6, 15, 20 and some "easier" nocturnes like op 9, nos. 1 and 2, op 37,1 or similar ones. And don't forget op. 48,2, the sibling! I love that one as much as no.1 and it's very very precious, but much easier! All of those are as well very much worth the effort!

Thank you very much for the advice! I'm listening to 48 no2 for the first time as I'm typing this and... I want to play this as much as no1! The list of easier chopin tunes is also what I wanted, I think he and Rachmaninov(? god I'm bad at spelling stuff) are my favorites. I haven't heard a Rachmaninov piece that I didn't enjoy; however, I also haven't heard one I could play hahaha.

I'll also take the scale, traid, etc.. advice to heart. I do remember the major scales, I remember them because I hated doing them when I was 11 so much that they burned themselves into my memory forever. Yet, now I don't mind them for some reason.  I don't remember much of the minor keys, which may also be a big problem for clair de lune and 48 no1.

Thanks again!