My progress on learning Tchaikovsky First Concerto!

[the89thkey]

All right everyone, around 4 days ago I started practicing Tchaikovsky 1 at about 6 hours a day.

So far I can play the first movement pretty much performance ready, and part of the second movement. Third movement is still pretty sketchy, and I need to work on the last few minutes (the octave section right before the huge restatement of the theme is a killer, especially that last bar with the jumping between octaves...look at the score if you don't know what I'm talking about).  Will update further progress here. If I'm ready I'll play with an orchestra in early January, and if not I'll have to wait till March...

[thesuineg]

6 hours a day. o.0
i'd....uh...rest for a few days. You can certainly learn the technical part of the 3rd movement in less than 5 days, give yourself sometime. for musical just listen to recordings, ALOT...and enjoy it lol cus i certainly do.
On the other hand, you don't learn slow at all, im rather impressed

[cmg]

All right everyone, around 4 days ago I started practicing Tchaikovsky 1 at about 6 hours a day.

So far I can play the first movement pretty much performance ready, and part of the second movement. Third movement is still pretty sketchy, and I need to work on the last few minutes (the octave section right before the huge restatement of the theme is a killer, especially that last bar with the jumping between octaves...look at the score if you don't know what I'm talking about).  Will update further progress here. If I'm ready I'll play with an orchestra in early January, and if not I'll have to wait till March...

Wow.  Four days ago you began the Tchaikovsky, at the rate of 6 hours of practicing a day, and you have the first movement "pretty much performance ready," as well as part of the second movement!  Of course, this progress pales compared to your stated learning of the Rach III in a little over a week with 8 hours of daily practice.  Stupendous!

Your ID info states you're a concert pianist.  Well, that would explain, of course, the fact that you will have an orchestra at your disposal "in early January" or "March."  Extraodinary!  Most orchestras are booked years in advance and have little flexibility to allow a soloist to jump right in with only a few weeks or months notice.  Your talent and reputation must be of Horowitzian proportions.  

I'm sure we'd all like to hear your Tchaikovsky, so could you please tell us the orchestra that has engaged you for your debut of the concerto?  I, personally, would like to reserve the time to hear it.  Now, what orchestra is this?  Are you concertizing in America, Europe or Asia?  And what is your professional name, sir?  I'd love to hear any commercial CDs or DVDs out there with your name on them!

I'm sure we'd all like to know, since you make your repertoire choices quite public and your phenomenal progress mastering them a frequent online discussion.

So, please let us know the orchestra that you will be playing with.  I -- like most others here, I'm sure -- would like to contact them for tickets.

Also, as a concert pianist, you must have an agent who secured you this upcoming booking.  Would you care to tell us who represents you?

Thanks!
  

[hoohah2]

I'm sure we'd all like to hear your Tchaikovsky, so could you please tell us the orchestra that has engaged you for your debut of the concerto?  I, personally, would like to reserve the time to hear it.  Now, what orchestra is this?  Are you concertizing in America, Europe or Asia?  And what is your professional name, sir?  I'd love to hear any commercial CDs or DVDs out there with your name on them!

I'm sure we'd all like to know, since you make your repertoire choices quite public and your phenomenal progress mastering them a frequent online discussion.

So, please let us know the orchestra that you will be playing with.  I -- like most others here, I'm sure -- would like to contact them for tickets.

Also, as a concert pianist, you must have an agent who secured you this upcoming booking.  Would you care to tell us who represents you?

Thanks!
  

This.
Couldn't have put it better myself.
Or at least a video of yourself playing would suffice.

[richard black]

I'm sight-reading the Busoni concerto with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra next week.

As you do.

[blazekenny]

Actually the octave section is one of the easiest. You play solo and only octaves. Although there is alot of bravado, adrenaline and exhaustion, its still kind of a resting part of the finale.
Btw recording or I dont believe.

[hoohah2]

I'm planning on playing Sorabji's Opus Clavicembalisticum by memory next week on Christmas Day at a recital.
I've just began working on it today. The plan is 8 hours of practice per day until then. I should be ready.

As you do.

[the89thkey]

Wow.  Four days ago you began the Tchaikovsky, at the rate of 6 hours of practicing a day, and you have the first movement "pretty much performance ready," as well as part of the second movement!  Of course, this progress pales compared to your stated learning of the Rach III in a little over a week with 8 hours of daily practice.  Stupendous!

Your ID info states you're a concert pianist.  Well, that would explain, of course, the fact that you will have an orchestra at your disposal "in early January" or "March."  Extraodinary!  Most orchestras are booked years in advance and have little flexibility to allow a soloist to jump right in with only a few weeks or months notice.  Your talent and reputation must be of Horowitzian proportions. 

I'm sure we'd all like to hear your Tchaikovsky, so could you please tell us the orchestra that has engaged you for your debut of the concerto?  I, personally, would like to reserve the time to hear it.  Now, what orchestra is this?  Are you concertizing in America, Europe or Asia?  And what is your professional name, sir?  I'd love to hear any commercial CDs or DVDs out there with your name on them!

I'm sure we'd all like to know, since you make your repertoire choices quite public and your phenomenal progress mastering them a frequent online discussion.

So, please let us know the orchestra that you will be playing with.  I -- like most others here, I'm sure -- would like to contact them for tickets.

Also, as a concert pianist, you must have an agent who secured you this upcoming booking.  Would you care to tell us who represents you?

Thanks!
 

I am not willing to disclose any information on myself on the Internet. If you don't believe me, that's not really my problem
I can't post a recording because of the likelihood that it will be reproduced and my online privacy removed. Thank you for the compliments
The conductor and I are very good friends and the orchestra is one which I frequently play with and which knows all the repertoire I normally perform. So they have agreed to do this concert with less notice if I am ready.

[thalbergmad]

I know it is an unkind thing to say, but my bullshitometer is beginning to twitch.

Perhaps I am completely wrong, but have we not been here before many times???

Thal

[cmg]

I know it is an unkind thing to say, but my bullshitometer is beginning to twitch.


Thal

LOL!  I wouldn't concern myself with any niceties regarding feelings here, Thal.  This poster is utterly shameless.  But that's what delusions are for! 

[zezhyrule]

I wish I could fantasize as well as you, Mr. 89thkey

Best I get is dreaming that I'm cooking bacon... and then waking up right before I eat it

[blazekenny]

I am not willing to disclose any information on myself on the Internet. If you don't believe me, that's not really my problem
I can't post a recording because of the likelihood that it will be reproduced and my online privacy removed. Thank you for the compliments
The conductor and I are very good friends and the orchestra is one which I frequently play with and which knows all the repertoire I normally perform. So they have agreed to do this concert with less notice if I am ready.

Well, you are just a guy who "likes" the music. But you dont have the will to really practice in real life so you project your phantasy in these forums. I supposse that when you learned Brahms 2 at the age of 3, you didnt have the time to play the easier pieces. My first tip for you Tchaikovsky would be learn some bach inventions first. People who just like the music can never be real musicians. You have to feel the the pain of full concentrated practicing

[zezhyrule]

I am not willing to disclose any information on myself on the Internet. If you don't believe me, that's not really my problem

It is your problem, if you are a concert pianist as you say. If you make money by performing in public, wouldn't you want as many people as possible to come to your concerts or buy your albums? We can't do that if we don't even know who you are. Someone who makes a living by making his name well known shouldn't be afraid of people knowing who he is on a piano forum. It's kinda counterproductive.

[thesuineg]

Well, you are just a guy who "likes" the music. But you dont have the will to really practice in real life so you project your phantasy in these forums. I supposse that when you learned Brahms 2 at the age of 3, you didnt have the time to play the easier pieces. My first tip for you Tchaikovsky would be learn some bach inventions first. People who just like the music can never be real musicians. You have to feel the the pain of full concentrated practicing

i think everyone's rushing to not believe this guy. you're not a friggin genius just cus you can attack someone not willing to disclose personal info(i would do the same).

realization, i mean do the same as in not diclose personal info

bach inventions? tell me how thats related. you could say...mozart sonatas, chopin waltzes, why bach inventions of all things? bach is a very hard composer to me. i find that you can play it for fun, but with the existance of glenn gould, you really need your own way or theres no point in playing a lot of bach professionally.
richter was good tho


if you were fully concentrated.....you would be more focused on the practicing than the apparent "pain."
silly.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I wonder if the89thkey and J Menz know each other in real life.

I mean...  They're both professional pianists right?

[j_menz]

right?

Wrong.  

Shouldn't you be off learning a Mazurka somewhere?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Wrong.  

Shouldn't you be off learning a Mazurka somewhere?

This freaking pianostreet grade system is freaking stupid!  EVERYTHING is level 8 or 8+!

I bet the person who freaking made the list hasn't even listened to like 80% of the pieces listed on there.  He just decided to throw 8+ everywhere and see what happens.

[j_menz]

This freaking pianostreet grade system is freaking stupid! 

It's as good (and as bad) as any other.

You'd be less upset if you'd found your piece, checked it and started work on it 2 months ago when you first got the chance.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

You'd be less upset if you'd found your piece, checked it and started work on it 2 months ago when you first got the chance.

I didn't check it because I assumed that it wouldn't be grade 8+.  There's only like 30 notes in the whole piece!

[rachmaninoff_forever]

It's as good (and as bad) as any other.

You'd be less upset if you'd found your piece, checked it and started work on it 2 months ago when you first got the chance.

Anyways, I think it's unfair that you participate for the following reasons:

1.  You're a professional pianist
2.  You're the same person as Ajspiano, so you'll be judging yourself

[j_menz]

I didn't check it because I assumed ...

Consider it a life lesson. Never assume when you can check.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Consider it a life lesson. Never assume when you can check.

It's only like 30 notes...

[outin]

Hmm... I guess it is possible that someone is an accomplished concert pianist while being an immature a..hole and lacking manners and social skills. Although I would think one has to be REALLY good and famous not to suffer from this in terms of professional success. So maybe there's someone HUGE among us?

[j_menz]

It's only like 30 notes...

It's also atonal, polyphonic, uses a lot of tenths and off rhythms and has that rather awkward moment towards the end with the footnote.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

It's also atonal, polyphonic, uses a lot of tenths and off rhythms and has that rather awkward moment towards the end with the footnote.

Does atonality automatically make something more difficult than something that's not atonal?  It's also a really slow piece so you could just roll everything.  If you listen to it once to find out how it's supposed to sound, you'll be fine. 

If you ask me, all Bach should be at 8+ over that itty bitty Scriabin prelude.

[j_menz]

Does atonality automatically make something more difficult than something that's not atonal?  It's also a really slow piece so you could just roll everything.  If you listen to it once to find out how it's supposed to sound, you'll be fine. 

If you ask me, all Bach should be at 8+ over that itty bitty Scriabin prelude.

FWIW, my guess would have been a 6, but then my guessing on these things is often wrong.

[cmg]

Hmm... I guess it is possible that someone is an accomplished concert pianist while being an immature a..hole and lacking manners and social skills. Although I would think one has to be REALLY good and famous not to suffer from this in terms of professional success. So maybe there's someone HUGE among us?

 "Yet ah! why should they know their fate?
 Since sorrow never comes too late,
 And happiness too swiftly flies.
 Thought would destroy their paradise.
 No more; where ignorance is bliss,
 'Tis folly to be wise."

[j_menz]

"Yet ah! why should they know their fate?
 Since sorrow never comes too late,
 And happiness too swiftly flies.
 Thought would destroy their paradise.
 No more; where ignorance is bliss,
 'Tis folly to be wise."

Ahhh  Thosmas Gray.  The Cultural Quotient of the whole forum just rose. Bless you! 

[cmg]

Ahhh  Thosmas Gray.  The Cultural Quotient of the whole forum just rose. Bless you! 

You're a gentleman and a scholar, Herr j_menz.    Bless YOU.

[outin]

I'm afraid I don't get poetry at all...seems like waste of letters/words to me

If one has something to say, it should be said as short and to the point as possible IMO  

[j_menz]

If one has something to say, it should be said as short and to the point as possible IMO  

Haha, you should study law. You'd be very cheap!

I had always assumed Finns were as poetically inclined as their Scandinavian (and indeed Russian) neighbours. Is that wrong, or are you the exception?

[cmg]

I'm afraid I don't get poetry at all...seems like waste of letters/words to me

If one has something to say, it should be said as short and to the point as possible IMO  

Ah, you miss your own irony!  Poetry is as "short and to the point as possible."  Concentrated language, you know?  Economical, you might say.  Frankly, my friend, I can't be more concise.  Sorry.

[outin]

Ah, you miss your own irony!  Poetry is as "short and to the point as possible."  Concentrated language, you know?  Economical, you might say.  Frankly, my friend, I can't be more concise.  Sorry.

I understand what you say, but what I meant with short and to the point is a bit different... No time to explain though, must go to work...

[lostinidlewonder]

1) I wonder what the motive is to want to hide who you are? 
2) I wonder what the point is in bragging about how long it takes to learn something?
3) I wonder which orchestra you are playing with who gives you options as to when to play with them. You must be famous and already well known if they want you to play with them so badly, which goes back to 1).
4) I wonder why, if you are practicing so much piano every day, you have over 40 posts a day?

[outin]

Ah, you miss your own irony!  Poetry is as "short and to the point as possible."  Concentrated language, you know?  Economical, you might say.  Frankly, my friend, I can't be more concise.  Sorry.

I should have written I don't share the enthusiasm about poetry.

From what I have seen people have one or more of the following reasons for reading (and quoting) poetry:
- They enjoy it because it gives them food for thoughts and new insights.
- It gives them an opportunity to peek into another creative mind and the processes of its creativity.
- They enjoy the play with language.
- They like to appear educated (snobbery basically).

I personally don't belong to the last group, don't enjoy language that much, it's merely a tool for me and I certainly don't want to feed my thoughts more, they are wild enough already

And I am not really that interested in other people's thought processes, creative or not. It's the same with music actually, if I was able to write music as lovely as has already been written, I don't think I would bother to learn other people's stuff at all...

Of course I don't get the enthusiasm for Bach either, so I guess there must be something wrong with me 

[outin]

Haha, you should study law. You'd be very cheap!

I had always assumed Finns were as poetically inclined as their Scandinavian (and indeed Russian) neighbours. Is that wrong, or are you the exception?

I'd say you are wrong (but I could be as well). It may be our language or our culture, we are very straight forward in our interaction and few people I know are really into poetry. During my school years I was exposed to very little of it thankfully. I don't think I have ever memorized a single one (unless lyrics to a song). Of course we have a few poets that are considered "national treasure", but most of the post war generations couldn't care less...

[p2u_]

It may be our language or our culture, we are very straight forward in our interaction and few people I know are really into poetry. During my school years I was exposed to very little of it thankfully.

I think there may have been something wrong with the way you were exposed to it because it is actually beautiful music through language. Believe it or not, but I already appreciated the sheer sounds of Pushkin's poetry, for example, long before I learned Russian. Translations don't cut it, of course; you need the sound (and the meaning) of the original.
P.S.: Much in music is actually based on poetry, that's why it helps (at least a bit) to know the language the composer spoke and the poetry of the country he lived in.

Paul

[perprocrastinate]

I don't think our friend likes us anymore.

[andreslr6]

What happened to the89thkey? he went from making like 40 post per day to a complete ghost , guess he got really mad and locked himself to practice the Tchaikovsky.

[outin]

What happened to the89thkey?

I miss him already 

[outin]

I think there may have been something wrong with the way you were exposed to it because it is actually beautiful music through language. Believe it or not, but I already appreciated the sheer sounds of Pushkin's poetry, for example, long before I learned Russian. Translations don't cut it, of course; you need the sound (and the meaning) of the original.

I just can't see it that way... I was never forced to read poetry, but I think I tried at some point. It just never interested me one bit, although in general I do love books and literature.

Listening to people reading poetry is the worst thing I can imagine. Actually listening to people in general is hard for me...

Music is a completely diffefent thing because it has always had an effect for me. It was not a matter of interest, rather a necessity like food

[lukejones1]

Surely, if he WERE an established concert pianist.. he would have already learnt the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1.. after all it is a staple item of a pianist's repertoire. Perhaps, he is someone who just does it for fun and happens to know an amateur orchestra who only perform twice or three times a year and come together in a local hall.

Luke

[the89thkey]

All right guys, sorry I haven't been posting recently. I have been very busy learning the concerto. At 8 and 9 hours a day, I am pretty sure I'll be able to perform on January 4th with the orchestra. Rehearsal will start in 3 days.

[cmg]

All right guys, sorry I haven't been posting recently. I have been very busy learning the concerto. At 8 and 9 hours a day, I am pretty sure I'll be able to perform on January 4th with the orchestra. Rehearsal will start in 3 days.

Well, best of luck and make sure this doesn't happen to you in performance!

[andreslr6]

All right guys, sorry I haven't been posting recently. I have been very busy learning the concerto. At 8 and 9 hours a day, I am pretty sure I'll be able to perform on January 4th with the orchestra. Rehearsal will start in 3 days.

Ha! I knew it! I can't wait to know how it ends up going.. Can you post your performance when you can?

[blazekenny]

All right guys, sorry I haven't been posting recently. I have been very busy learning the concerto. At 8 and 9 hours a day, I am pretty sure I'll be able to perform on January 4th with the orchestra. Rehearsal will start in 3 days.

The more hours you add, the more will you sound manly. Thats probably why you highlight these numbers so much.
Yet after 4 hours of practice, the productivity of your practicing rapidly descends

[vsrinivasa]

The more hours you add, the more will you sound manly. Thats probably why you highlight these numbers so much.
Yet after 4 hours of practice, the productivity of your practicing rapidly descends

That's why I only practice at most 6 hours a day, except during summer, when I'm usually overwhelmed with projects, musical and otherwise, so I need more practice.

[sucom]

Yet after 4 hours of practice, the productivity of your practicing rapidly descends

I'm not sure I would agree about this.  I have always felt that the number of hours that one can practise can be increased over a period of time. That is, and certainly in my case, it is possible to build up concentration and focus over a period of time.  My regular practice used to be around 5 hours which I always increased to 6 or 7 for an exam or performance.  I used to do around 1 hour on each piece or each movement of a piece. 

I believe that mental stamina can be increased in a similar way as physical stamina.  I've never practised for 8 hours but in my youth I most certainly would have if the workload had been great enough.  Having a performance as a goal is a great way to increase mental focus!!!

[the89thkey]

The more hours you add, the more will you sound manly. Thats probably why you highlight these numbers so much.
Yet after 4 hours of practice, the productivity of your practicing rapidly descends

I would only agree with this if the practice is all in one sitting. However, the 8 hours I did were spread out into 2 hour blocks.

[lostinidlewonder]

  it was funny at first now it's just lame.