How do you approach a piece for the first time?

[lousyplayer]

I cannot remember how I did this... I think it was:

 - train right hand for one phrase
 - train left hand for same phrase
 - (the above includes getting a good finger allocation)
 - practice both hands separately looking at keyboard
 - practice both hands separately with eyes closed
 - hands together very slowly
 - speed it up until its right

any suggestions?

[ceapaire]

Ideally, I would sight-read the entire piece once to identify the most troublesome spots. I'd tackle those first very slowly, then once they're perfect I'll go to the less tricky bits. Once that's done it's a matter of polishing and perfecting. I've been reading a lot of Bernhard's ideas on these forums, and it sounds like the optimal way to learn a piece. Try for yourself!

I tend to be too enthusiastic about it though, and play through beginning to end over and over and over until it starts to sound decent. This is the absolute worst way to learn a piece. Never do it that way

[robson]

First i listen to some master playing that piece, then i analyze the structure.

[p2u_]

How do you approach a piece for the first time?

I am a lousy sight-reader. I learn pieces by heart before I ever touch the piano. When I physically practice a piece on the piano, the only thing I do is search for the right intonation, the right atmosphere, etc. Of course, separate hands may be involved, like a conductor working only with a group of the orchestra. Sometimes, when aural feedback distracts me (yes, this *can* hold you back, although it may sound like musical/pedagocial heresy), I practice the piece on a dumb keyboard. This is not as mechanical as it may seem; it requires lots of concentration - hearing the intonation in your head and moving accordingly. Sometimes I do the reverse: eyes closed and only fingertips + ears active.

Paul

[lousyplayer]

First i listen to some master playing that piece, then i analyze the structure.

Yes, that's what I do before everything else too. Usually my teacher plays it and asks if I like it! Except for a period when my teacher was lousy and I couldn't get any of what she played, then I failed level 5. Fortunately now I can go on youtube.