What to learn?

[taio]

Hey, I know your all gonna say "Don't" because I am a 8 month student with no lessons but I have been told by MANY people (Concert Grade Pianists) that I have a natural talent and I have been attempting Prelude in G minor . I Know its a mistake but I still can try just before I am having a teacher tell me what to do!

[j_menz]

I Know its a mistake

Indeed it is. Get the teacher and wait twelve months, then reconsider. Before then you are wasting your time; lay some groundwork and you may get something out of it (besides an injury).  Learning a piece before you are even remotely ready can wreck it for you forever.  Patience isn't considered a virtue for nothing.

[pianoplayjl]

Listen to J-menz. But I'd say Fragments after the 12 months with the teacher. It's the easiest of the lot and should give you a a basic idea of what to expect.

JL

[taio]

I knew there was going to be alot of this and I do respect the comments and already understand that is a stupid idea as Rachmaninoff is more then just a Classical pianist, he is a classical revoloution. I have already started Fragments as I found it was quite easy. I have been learing Moonlight Sonata and have succesfully started learning it. I know that I am jumping way to far ahead for how long I have been playing.

I will take this advice and stick with it.

Thank you.

[taio]

I probably should note that they are a 6 year teacher. I am sorry for trying to be so foolish and jump into an area I am not mentally and physically ready for.

[elenka]

If you want a big advice you should also follow a program in which you take little steps before get to these big master pieces. Usually 8 graders pianists start approaching to Rachmaninoff's repertoire because they've already mastered the principal repertoire each pianist should study, such Bach, Mozart and Beethoven and Chopin. Telling this I don't mean that you shouldm't try playing Rachmaninoff

[taio]

Thank you. I will also take this knowlege aboard and use it. In the mean-time I should get back to scales so I don't look like a complete retard infront of my teacher

[pianosolution]

you should try everything and anything so have ago at all the Rachmaninov. Intellectual curiosity should be an insatiable beast and musical curiosity even more so. As for being disciplined and patient and whatever, don't try to make science of it, just make sure that every week or two you resolve to learn something to completion, doesn't matter what it is- could be be some simple little thing out of classics to moderns bk1- doesn't really matter the specifiacation is to complete it. This in addition having a go at everything else you can get your hands on (not just Rachmaninov!)

[taio]

Well I have been trying a bit of Schubert, Chopin, Beethoven, Liszt and Rachmaninoff but Rach has always been my favorite. As for trying Rach I have been attempting Prelude in G minor and have actually gotten somewhere. Its not the remembering its the speed and getting everywhere in time. I am to slow at the moment so I really should finish of my scales

Thank you for the further advice. I will take everyones advice and use it

[muleski]

There is a lot of pleasure to be had in playing piano.  I don't see why anyone should place constraints on themselves on 'what to learn'.  Trying different pieces & indeed pieces that may turn out to be beyond your abilities will show where your weaknesses are.  If you're following a programme of piano tuition, then all very well, but in your own time, do what you like.  Explore, why be overly regimented?  Don't be dictated to, learn what you like, have 'fun' with it. 
I have plenty of weaknesses because I didn't conventionally learn, but it's not stopping me from learning difficult pieces & no doubt (to me anyway) is helping me overcome those weaknesses.