Returning to the Piano

[kotoko]

Hello! New member here >_<

As a bit of background, I took piano lessons for 12 years, passing my Grade 10 piano exam (with the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada). That was in 2006. After that, I moved out to go to university and after that, I moved again for a job. Being pretty much broke, I didn't have the money to even consider a piano of my own. As a result, I went for some 6 years without really playing.

Lately, I've been wanting to get back into the piano, though. I just bought myself a digital piano (a cheap one, as I'm still far from being able to own a nice one, but it'll do). As one can expect, I'm rusty. Like, really rusty. But, I still remember the joy of playing pieces like Chopin's Nocturne in F# Major. I want to be able to do that sort of stuff again.

Still, I realize I have to rebuild my fingers back to that level. However, I'm not a "traditional" student, who is going to learn everything from grade 1 to 10. I have the know-how of how to play and some of the technique is still there. I was able to play the Fur Elise today better than I had thought I would - far, far from perfect but it was listenable (is that a word?).

What would be the best way to get myself back in shape? It's difficult to gauge just where my level is, and I'm not going to buy the books for every single level just to find out. But, I realize I can't just jump into a piece like the Pathetique or Liebestraume right away at the level I'm at right now. Advice?

[49410enrique]

i'd start working through the bach inventions and supplement with basic technique patterns, argegios and broken chords, scales, etc.


also consider looking at some 'easier' etudes like hummel (really good for classical and set a nice foundation for the 'romantic' etudes).

also shorter works like those of bergmuller, and also look at some of the grieg miniatures too for brushing up on musicality and interpretation in small scale works.

im sure others might have some better suggestions, but id prolly start there.

[j_menz]

If I were you I'd start with some of the pieces you used to play. Step back a level or twofor starters, you may think you've forgotten them but they'll all still be in your fingers.

It will be a bit frustrating at first because you won't play them nearly as well as you remember, but they will come back reasonably quickly.

[alanteew]

I'm in the same boat (or close to it). Back in the day, my teacher didn't do levels, but I played the Revolutionary Etude and studied at Tanglewood (BUTI). For all intents and purposes, I haven't really played for 20 years (just simply church accompaniment and the like--nothing classical).

Last week I bought a piano. After warming up with some simple Czerny exercises (I still have all my books), I tried the Op 64#2 waltz and -- lo and behold -- my fingers remembered what to do. I didn't even really need to think about it. It wouldn't pass muster to play in public, but I was stunned. I tried something else easy: Pathetique 2nd movement--same thing.

My concern right now is physiological: Can I just dive right back into practicing until I'm sore? Or is it like exercise, where I should take a day off, or play different kinds of pieces (e.g. Chopin today, Bach tomorrow)?

[hfmadopter]

Many of us here are in the same boat or the boat next to it ! I've been back to playing about 5 months now after a long time away and the fingers are starting to respond as is the mind. I took a little different path, I've been downloading my music from here at PS or from Musicnotes.com. and some arrangements from David Nevue.

I am also working on some two part inventions at the same time and hopeful to do a Christmas performance at my home for about 25 guests, mostly family and friends..

One draw back I'm having is my eyes are worse than I thought !! Another is some arthritis has crept into my finger joints but it doesn't seem to hamper my playing a lot as long as I stay with Advil and some glucosamine capsules.

I own a grand piano outright for some 30 years now. But none the less you certainly are not alone in your catagory !