Feeling unmotivated, scared.

[faa2010]

I am preparing for the next two events of this year:

A recital in February:
Clair de Lune
Intermezzo
1 mov of KV 545 of Mozart (optional)

Audition for the admission in April (This has to last in the region of 15 minutes)
Two Inventions
KV 545 of Mozart
Intermezzo
A piece of the romanticism era

Until now, just when the year has started, I started to feel less motivated, more scared, because I haven't memorized yet all the pieces and I haven't found yet a good piece of the romantic period.

I know I have to work harder, but doubts are starting to haunt me, what if I cannot pass the admission exam?, what can I do if I haven't memorize all te pieces I need?

I really love piano, and I don't want to quit it and feel mentally defeated if I don't pass the admission exam or if I fail in the recital.

[iliveinapiano]

I am preparing for the next two events of this year:

A recital in February:
Clair de Lune
Intermezzo
1 mov of KV 545 of Mozart (optional)

Audition for the admission in April (This has to last in the region of 15 minutes)
Two Inventions
KV 545 of Mozart
Intermezzo
A piece of the romanticism era

Until now, just when the year has started, I started to feel less motivated, more scared, because I haven't memorized yet all the pieces and I haven't found yet a good piece of the romantic period.

I know I have to work harder, but doubts are starting to haunt me, what if I cannot pass the admission exam?, what can I do if I haven't memorize all te pieces I need?

I really love piano, and I don't want to quit it and feel mentally defeated if I don't pass the admission exam or if I fail in the recital.

Those thoughts are only going to get in your way. There is no good in thinking about things like that now. No 'what ifs'. When you get to a stage when you need to make a decision, then you can think about it. Always try to think what you can be doing at the present to get to where you want to be. Don't underestimate yourself, you can do it, you just got to believe. Belief that you can do something is the single most powerful thing that will get you to succeed. Do not let doubt ever enter your mind. You can flush away any fears because they are illogical. If you set your mind to achieve what you want there is nothing stopping you, you have plenty of time, just dont squander it.

You can practice memorization any time you are away from the piano and have time to think. Whenever you get a chance imagine playing the pieces in your head. If you can play them in your head you won't have any memorization problems when it comes to playing it on the piano.
Live and breath piano, always thinking about how you can improve and keep working to make those improvements and you'll suprise yourself.

Also I have to ask, can you not just play the pieces from the score. Memorizing shouldn't be compulsory. It might look more impressive to non-players but at the end of the day its just showmanship, it doesn't really help make the music better.
Hope I helped.

[brendan765]

My friend, pianism is not a competition...Exams at the piano is demeaning to art.

     I wish you best with your issues, don't feel unmotivated. I have been in your spot before and pulled out of it and Piano is now my passion and I live and breathe to compose music and play the greats repertoire.  Just relax, practice effectively I had a hard time figuring that one out..,it actually turns out doing repetitive practice for an extended period of time is bad only if you can hold great focus...practice in short bursts, get alot done your brain will remember and come back and do it again...feel yourself and the physics of your body... let your wrists and elbows be loose and tensionless for the most part...good luck...I was in your place, probably even worse..and im still a BAD pianist I think, but I can read like almost any music fairly well, play fairly well, I just have a terrible technique...I am lucky to hold the ability to compose.

[elenka]

Hi
don't feel motivated try to divide the pieces you have to practise on
Concentrate on those pieces you're gonna perform both at the recital and at the ammission
Maybe you can also not to play every day a piece from the beginning to the end but just focus on those measures you have problem with. I see from the pieces you're learning your level is basic or intermediate?how long have you been playing the piano? what about the easy Chopin prelude or Waltz in B minor? for your romantic pieces

[faa2010]

Thanks for your posts and advice.

I have been playing piano for more than 10 years, but sometimes time is not equivalent to technique.  I have practiced a lot fingering and memorization, but I am still having problems with rythym and speed.

I chose to play also Chopin Valse op 69 no 2 for the audition, I played it before, I only have to rememorize it.

I don't know if I can do it, but I want to do it so I won't regret it for the rest of my life.

I am still battling with the rythym and speed issues, but I want to do my best.

Thanks again