Help this impatient player!

[dss62467]

One problem I've always had as a player is that I tend to go too fast through a piece, not really learning it.  I spent a few weeks learning Chopin Nocturn Op. 9 No.2 in the spring, and got to the point where I was pretty good at it...and then my piano teacher moved me on to something else (a duet he wanted us to perform at the recital).   I let the piece fall by the wayside and now I'm finding that I have to completely relearn it!   If I'd learned it right in the first place, I wouldn't be looking at it as a piece I know in my head, but not in my hands.

So I'm wondering what method others use to learn a piece.  I never, never memorize.  If you put me at a piano without the music in front of me....I pretty much lose the piece after the first 2 minutes.

The way I typically learn is to tackle a BIG chunk at once.  I sight read it through.  Then just practice the same part, building up speed.  Usually my teacher is pretty surprised when I show up and he sees how much I learned over the week.   But I'm thinking...maybe I should really slow it down?    Learn a measure at a time?   I have terrible focus too....my mind wanders - which is why I don't memorize.

I'm about a level 8 player, I guess.  Maybe 9?  I had 7 years of lessons as a child, then 25 years when I didn't play at all, and now I'm in my 3rd year back at it.  It's really just a hobby I do for my own enjoyment, but I still want to be good!

[cjp_piano]

But I'm thinking...maybe I should really slow it down?    Learn a measure at a time?   I have terrible focus too....my mind wanders - which is why I don't memorize.

Yes, definitely do it in smaller chunks. The fact that you can read through bigger chunks is a strength, but doesn't help you master it fully. I suggest breaking it down into small chunks, maybe not a measure, but small phrases, ideas, etc., whatever seems to fit the particular piece you're working on. If you practice a small part several times and several different ways, you WILL memorize it even if that's not your goal.

Once you practice the 2nd small part until you know it and can play it easily and fluently, then practice combining the 1st and 2nd parts together until you can do that easily and fluently. Keep working in sections, building them individually and then connecting together.

Hope that helps!