when do we consider a piece KNOWN OR IN MY REPERTOIRE

[ignaceii]

That's my question.

Do you have to be able to play it by memory.
Must it be played flawless, with all repeats, dynamics...
Must the pulse be metronome correct ?
Is not the least mistake forgiven ?

Is this different from person to person ?
Is this different for a stage piece or one you play at home ?

Who is the final judge when there is no teacher.
My previous teacher moved on to another piece while he was sure I think I did not played the 1st mov of the Ravel sonatine as he should.
Can you give yourself quotes on a performance, 10/20 , 12, ...

I wonder....

[schwartzer]

In my opinion, knowing how to play the piece by memory with at least decent dynamics and on the right tempo is enough for it to be considered part of your repertoire. Also, I don't believe you have to play it flawlessly, but making minimal mistakes is optimal.

[ignaceii]

That is the hardest part , from memory. It demands pretty good knowedge of harmony no ?

[schwartzer]

I never actually found it difficult to play a piece by memory. After you play it a quite a few times, it seems to come in such a natural way for me.

It also helps that my sight reading has never been very good, so I do my best to memorize it.

[louispodesta]

That's my question.

Do you have to be able to play it by memory.
Must it be played flawless, with all repeats, dynamics...
Must the pulse be metronome correct ?
Is not the least mistake forgiven ?

Is this different from person to person ?
Is this different for a stage piece or one you play at home ?

Who is the final judge when there is no teacher.
My previous teacher moved on to another piece while he was sure I think I did not played the 1st mov of the Ravel sonatine as he should.
Can you give yourself quotes on a performance, 10/20 , 12, ...

I wonder....

According to Earl Wild in his Memoir, when Walter Gieseking was contracted to record the entire solo repertoire of Mozart, he had not even played half of it.  That means he sight read it, and it shows.

Further, Arthur (Artur!) Rubinstein never had a piano lesson after the age of sixteen.  So, that means that the over 200 recording sessions he had later were also sight read.

And trust me, all of those hundreds of pieces were counted as part of his REPERTOIRE!!

Don't sweat the small stuff.  Everybody lies, and everybody knows it.

[j_menz]

Further, Arthur (Artur!) Rubinstein never had a piano lesson after the age of sixteen.  So, that means that the over 200 recording sessions he had later were also sight read.

How on earth does "no lessons" = "must be sightread"? 

[schwartzer]

How on earth does "no lessons" = "must be sightread"? 

My question, exactly.

I believe you must be able to play the piece in a recital to be part of your repertoire. That means no sight reading. You don't see many or even any professional pianists playing to hundreds of people with the sheet music in front of him.

[1piano4joe]

Hi ignaceii,

[Do you have to be able to play it by memory.]

If you can play it from memory it is both in your repertoire and known. If it is not memorized but can be played performance ready then it is known (learned) and you can move on to learning a new piece.


[Must it be played flawless, with all repeats, dynamics...]

No, but you should have some personal standard as to when to move on.


[Must the pulse be metronome correct ?]

Do you mean played evenly or up to tempo or the actual pulse such as accenting the strong beats? Evenly? Yes, definitely. Up to tempo, not necessarily if it means losing control. Accenting the strong beats brings the music to life. Otherwise it can sound kind of flat.


[Is not the least mistake forgiven ?]

Only if you play through them without stopping.


[Is this different from person to person ?]

Yes.


[Is this different for a stage piece or one you play at home ?]

Pieces performed on stage should not only be memorized but ideally a couple of grades below your ability as well.


[Who is the final judge when there is no teacher.]

You are the final judge. Period. There is always a teacher even when it's you.


[Can you give yourself quotes on a performance, 10/20 , 12, ...]

I usually give myself a check mark when a piece is learned. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and encourages me. A gold star works nicely too.

I hope I have been helpful, Joe.