Project: Rachmaninoff’s 3rd Piano Concerto

[ajspiano]

I can so relate to that. I've been having a bit of a break with my work on the Alkan Symphony, just playing through some of the new music I keep getting, and it's been amazing how much better I've gotten. Just as well, of course, it's been quite a struggle and it would be a waste if it just meant 1 piece.

Maybe i'm inventing a certain accentuation to the phrase that wouldn't really have happened in your mind - but "I can so relate to that" gives me the impression that you have temporarily regressed to your teenage years.

As an aside, for two people who would generally advise level appropriate repertoire we just made a fair case for tackling obscenely difficult repertoire. This thread should probably come with a "don't try this at home" type disclaimer.

[j_menz]

Maybe i'm inventing a certain accentuation to the phrase that wouldn't really have happened in your mind - but "I can so relate to that" gives me the impression that you have temporarily regressed to your teenage years.

All in your imagination, surely. And in any case, the usage you suggest postdates my teenage years.

As an aside, for two people who would generally advise level appropriate repertoire we just made a fair case for tackling obscenely difficult repertoire. This thread should probably come with a "don't try this at home" type disclaimer.

"Level appropriate" means no more than "I (genuinely) know how to go about learning this and will benefit in proportion to the time and effort required to do so".

[chopin2015]

I certainly take your point, but funnily enough - if i'm going to damage my hands it will be using a computer or a mobile phone, not a piano. The piano is like a healing mechanism for me in that regard..  If i ever do something physical and repetitive that makes my hands/arms feel sore then a Chopin etude run through is an excellent cure.. You know, now at least..  wasn't always like that

I'm not really sure why that happens, but I gather there must be something about using your hands properly that tricks your body into forgetting about the earlier strain..   not that I think learning new difficult material would do that, but i doubt I'll ever hurt myself..  too much focus on making sure it feels right.. if it doesn't you can't play it.

I think the problems arise from impatience (coupled with a lack of knowledge about how to approach difficulties I guess), when you have a musical intention in you and you lack the capability and force it. That's what leads to the tension.

Either way I think theres no other way to prepare to play a concerto correctly other than working on one but taking your time and doing it with good manners, mindful of every possibility and danger! Lol. Its cool that you still work on your etude and feel good about it.
 If the fingring is good, the repetition should be easy.
Dude I was thinking zen and I think you should try to divide the work equally between both hands. I bet that would be a sweeet skill to develop. And hands do hurt from computer....

[chopin2015]

And i possibly tried to reference that thumb technique of the guy that liszt had a piano duel with...

[ajspiano]

"Level appropriate" means no more than "I (genuinely) know how to go about learning this and will benefit in proportion to the time and effort required to do so".

yes, well.. the majority of teacher-less piano students that frequent PS with "rank these pieces" threads would definitely have a good gauge of that right?

Either way I think theres no other way to prepare to play a concerto correctly other than working on one but taking your time and doing it with good manners, mindful of every possibility and danger! Lol. Its cool that you still work on your etude and feel good about it.
 If the fingring is good, the repetition should be easy.
Dude I was thinking zen and I think you should try to divide the work equally between both hands. I bet that would be a sweeet skill to develop. And hands do hurt from computer....

I tend to end up sat too low at computers.. It screws with my wrists, i have to keep remembering to raise my chair but by the time my wrists tell me to sit higher they are of course already sore.

Not sure if I know precisely what you mean by dividing work between the hands.. but I already do that when practicing HS, as a standard procedure. Are you talking about something more specific?

[chopin2015]

Yes! Learn crazy thumb technique!!  i mean divide the main melody between both hands somewhere! Sounds so awesome. Im not talking about the concerto but technique in general, sorry!
Listened to Rach play some concerto 1 the other day, the cadenza made my face explode! The recording clips like 10 times. Seriously.

[chopin2015]

HS u mean hands separate....lol  still entire piece and in general, does the right hand play more? Because imagine this, I learnt the top 4 bars here with just the right hand and the right hand takes a lot more stress over all but the sound is different. Its silly, but true.

[chopin2015]

HS u mean hands separate....lol  still entire piece and in general, does the right hand play more? Because imagine this, I learnt the top 4 bars here with just the right hand and the right hand takes a lot more stress over all but the sound is different. Its silly, but true.

Edit:first 2 bars but if it were the next 2 with left just right hand too, that would be cruel...

[ajspiano]

I was looking at it thinking "why on earth would you take the 3rd and 4th bars RH only."

I see what you mean now. There is not a great deal of opportunities to split a voice between the hands that aren't already notated that way.

There's a few spots where I split it differently the how its done in the score, but still split it. Feel free to try and find one for me   ..the demands are heavy on both hands. Perhaps different kinds but i certainly wouldn't say Either hand dominates at all.

[chopin2015]

I was looking at it thinking "why on earth would you take the 3rd and 4th bars RH only."

I see what you mean now. There is not a great deal of opportunities to split a voice between the hands that aren't already notated that way.

There's a few spots where I split it differently the how its done in the score, but still split it. Feel free to try and find one for me   ..the demands are heavy on both hands. Perhaps different kinds but i certainly wouldn't say Either hand dominates at all.

But wouldnt it be hilareous? I was thinking about it and imagining it and cracking up.

Glad to hear about all the work youre doing. I did just order the 3 rach concertos book, so I will be able to see more of what youre talking about and discuss it. Im thinking about the 1st concerto, just the cadenza, I wanna see what it feels like....lol