Absolute beginner - K545 2nd mov.

[ddb_nl]

Hello everyone,

I have been playing piano for about two weeks. I won't have access to a teacher for another ~2 months, so for now it's just me on my own.

I've always loved Mozart's 16th piano sonata and the second movement sounded "easy" enough to try as a first piece. There are probably easier ones out there, but for this one I would have optimal motivation.

I would like make this sort of a progress thread as I learn the movement, but also ask some input from some more experienced players. I've attached an mp3 of what I can play so far (not that much yet) and would like to know if there's anything I should really work on except for learning the rest of the piece.

The most obvious one is keeping tempo, I find it hard to keep consistent even throughout such a small part of the piece. Another one might be left hand dynamics; I sometimes find my left hand sound intrusive, too loud. However I'm not sure how feasible it is to learn "independent dynamics" after just two weeks? I find it extremely hard to play the left hand softer and non-intrusive, while making the right hand notes very clear and pronounced (which is how this piece should be played I believe). Are there any tried-and-true methods or exercises to help with this?

Any input would be appreciated; even though there's probably more wrong than right with my playing at this point, I would like to avoid picking up -too- many bad habits before I start working with a teacher.


Thanks in advance!

[keypeg]

I would suggest that you wait those two months and not do too much on the piano in the meantime.  If your future teacher is a good one, he/she will be wanting to form your habits, and would prefer to not UNform them (which is a lot harder).  I know this piece well because I played it self-taught when I was young.  I'm not concerned about the odd wrong note here and there, because it's only a piece out of thousands of pieces.  But I know that the Alberti bass put a lot of tension in my left hand back then and I hear that this is common.

In regards to one hand being louder than the other, this is something that comes with time, and your teacher will probably guide you through a lot of steps to get you there.  When you do start with this teacher, you might want to stress that you want to get the skills of playing piano, and then follow directions - ask questions if you don't understand something. 

Why not ask your future teacher what kinds of things s/he would like you to do to prepare.  I imagine things like theory and learning keyboard topography might be wanted.  Most teachers would see that kind of question as positive and a very good start even before the lessons begin.

[hfmadopter]

What you need to perform this piece nicely and correctly and probably how you envision it, is introduced through a couple of years of prep work and other pieces and excercises that most likely your teacher will introduce to you.. It's known as technique, can only be built, not learned willy nilly ! That is to say you learn technique by working on it through practicing several avenues, then it will more naturally apply to a piece like K545.

I want to say I did this piece in my 3rd year of piano study and  had five years of accordian before that. Not that it's soooo difficult to just play the note but you are finding out first hand that there is technique involved just as well.
David

[ddb_nl]

Thanks for the replies guys, appreciate it.

I thought it was just my untrained hand that was starting to hurt but I guess it's the alberti bass that's straining.

I guess I will try to lay low while I wait for a teacher. It's hard though, very temping to keep going now that I'm making progress. I also listen to this piece completely differently now that I know how much effort it takes to play it proplerly

[outin]

I guess I will try to lay low while I wait for a teacher. It's hard though, very temping to keep going now that I'm making progress. I also listen to this piece completely differently now that I know how much effort it takes to play it proplerly

What you could do while waiting is learn scale fingerings and some theory. It would help you a lot after you start studying with a teacher. But play the scales slowly, speeding up with incorrect technique is not good...

[asuhayda]

Thanks for the replies guys, appreciate it.

I thought it was just my untrained hand that was starting to hurt but I guess it's the alberti bass that's straining.

I guess I will try to lay low while I wait for a teacher. It's hard though, very temping to keep going now that I'm making progress. I also listen to this piece completely differently now that I know how much effort it takes to play it proplerly

2 things:

1.  Try blocking the Alberti bass into chords (to get comfortable with the notes).
2.  With Mozart, it is ok to use a "sticky" bass note. You may hold the bass note underneath the rest of the bass.. this is acceptable.  It helps to ground and relax your hand a little bit.  Once you are comfortable with that, try releasing it.

I tell my students to imagine that they are dipping their fingers into a bowl of water when they play Mozart.  Take care not to splash too much.


As far as tempo issues.. try practicing with a metronome at a very slow tempo.  It will be hard at first, but it will help a lot once you get used to it.

BTW. I've played a lot of Mozart over the years.  The K545 Mvmt 2 is still my favorite.

Good Luck!