Sticking with Scarlatti - Beginner - Good Idea or Bad

[yuji]

Hello! I'm learning without a teacher which I think is not very advisable, but it's better than doing nothing. : )

I've already learnt three Scarlatti Sonata's from the bernhard's progressive list of hist pieces. I started learning with Alfred's book but I got bored very quickly and didn't feel that I could make much progress in short time. So I saw that list and gave Scarlatti a try. So far I've learnt k30, k32, k40 and amazing two first pieces from K81. I've never enjoy playing piano so much since I met Scarlatti Sonata. Every piece is learning me something new and I don't even feel like I need some additional guidebook.

So my question is... is anybody here playing pieces according in progressive way according to bernhard's list? And is it good idea to stick only to Scarlatti, or better idea would be to look for other pieces from time to time?

Thank you in advance. ^^

[Derek]

When I started out learning to read classical sheet music I did some scarlatti as well. I took some piano lessons for several years from a top piano professor, who had me try out pieces from a wider range of the repertoire. Now that I'm an amateur and it doesn't matter anyway, I'm back to baroque. So it's really up to you. Do you want to get exposed to a wide range of music for a while and then decide what to focus on? If that isn't important to you then I'd say don't worry about it. The instruction I received for those few years sure didn't hurt though. My sheet music reading capability for one thing is always improving, even if I take months long breaks from it. Dr. Smith was an awesome teacher.

[brogers70]

Sure, it's a good idea, especially if you are a beginner. Eventually you might want to play later music and might need techniques you cannot learn from Scarlatti, but if you want to play just Scarlatti for the first few years, why not?

[j_menz]

If you're enjoying the Scarlatti then it will not hurt you to keep it up for a while longer. Eventually, you may tire of it or feel the need to branch out; if you do then follow that instinct.

[outin]

I seem to have a bit of the same problem...even if I enjoy listening to romantic music, I seem to enjoy playing my Scarlatti pieces much more...obviously because most of the really good romantic stuff is far beoynd my reach...

Since there's so much variation, it will probably take some time before you'll get tired

[tranquille]

Hi,

I'm new here although I've been browsing for awhile.  I played piano for a couple of years as a child and have now returned quite q few years later as an adult.  I plan to start lessons in the new year.  I  heard some of Scarlatti's sonatas and quite liked them but have never thought they were at my level of ability.  Can I ask where this list is that you referred to?

Thanks

[sucom]

There is no harm in concentrating your efforts in one composer while you are actually learning a piece for a certain time .... but.......for better results, I would also play as much music as I could get my hands on!  Literally!  Doing this will flex up your fingers more, improve your sightreading by miles and help you with musical expression. 

I like to learn several pieces at the same time because this makes me practise more and relieves boredom.   

[castrojs]

tranquille,

You've probably already found Bernhard's list but anyway -

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=19512.0

JoeC.

[kriatina]

I am also an adult beginner and I feel very much at home with Baroque composers.

Their music is very calming, beautiful and has a certain purity of sound which I like very much.

I have started to learn and play Scarlatti, Corelli, Haendel and Bach.

One of my Scarlatti-inspirations on youtube" is "cubus" 

and I take "cubus" as an example how to bring out the beauty in Scarlatti's tonality.

I  wish you good luck and all the best from Kristina.