memorising piano pieces - left hand

[chidzuyo]

Generally I can play with my right hand without the piano sheet quite effortlessly, even if I do not consciously attempt to memorise.

However I find it harder to remember the left hand, I can't seem to see any links / rhythm / melody in the left hand, other then the fact that it complements the right. So I would really appreciate advice from other pianists on how to get your left hand onto the correct keys. Do you actually remember by memorising or is there a way to figure out by ear? e.g. how does one determine the chords?

[steven1a]

You might try doing chordal analyses.  You basically stack all the harmony notes into the intervalsl of 3rds; the lowest note will then be the root of the chord.  There's more than that to it, depending on how deeply you want to delve into it.  Surf the internet for information on how to perform chordal analyses, and/or read Stefan Kostka's Tonal Harmony.  It's a very important skill within the realm of music theory and ultimately, piano playing. 

The left hand often plays the majority of the harmonic elements, and could perhaps be memorized through looking from that standpoint.  Try writing the chords in roman numeral form underneath the bass staff and reciting the chords aloud while you play.  




Good luck!

[pianoyutube]

I sometimes have to work my memory without the piano.
I listen a record of the piece, while reading the score, and I play only the left (or right) hand on a table. Then I try to play it without looking at the score. Then I don't listen at the music, I play only with my mind. I do this from time to time, with one hand or two, in short sessions (minutes), because I get tired. It works for me. Sometimes this technique does not work immediately, maybe the next day, or in two days.

[autodidact]

You might try doing chordal analyses.  You basically stack all the harmony notes into the intervalsl of 3rds; the lowest note will then be the root of the chord.  There's more than that to it, depending on how deeply you want to delve into it.  Surf the internet for information on how to perform chordal analyses, and/or read Stefan Kostka's Tonal Harmony.  It's a very important skill within the realm of music theory and ultimately, piano playing. 

The left hand often plays the majority of the harmonic elements, and could perhaps be memorized through looking from that standpoint.  Try writing the chords in roman numeral form underneath the bass staff and reciting the chords aloud while you play.

I agree that this would be a good thing to try. I by no means consciously analyze every single harmony in every piece I learn, but I do recognize general progressions.

And honestly, even if you don't need the analysis to help you memorize something, it is still a good thing to do, because it can aid interpretation of the piece.