Chopin's nocturne in C sharp minor or Prelude 28 no 15

[renzoramirez]

Alright so I have been playing piano for no more than 7 months, I teach myself , I have never finished a piece but I always start one and improve my technique, the closes thing that I have to finishing is Beethovens 14th sonata or Fur elise, I have also gotten books on music theory and learn how to read music since for now I use synthesia or just videos that tell you how to play, I reckon I have a okay technique and good posture, at the moment I cannot afford to go to a piano teacher but I try my best to study the piano. Now my dad has requested for me to build a repertoire and finish a piece, I am stuck with Chopin's Nocurne in C sharp or his Raindrop prelude, techinically these are very easy for me since I can play them with ease while looking at the synthesia screen, but it is just memory, I just want to know if these pieces are worth it, could you please give me suggestions to play either of those or even any other pieces similar or maybe a bit more challenging would be better, I have also started Pathetique and I am about 2 minutes in Chopin's first ballade, I say 2 minutes because I dont know the music talk sorry brother bear. Anyway thanks in advance for any suggestions XD

[outin]

I am stuck with Chopin's Nocurne in C sharp or his Raindrop prelude, techinically these are very easy for me

If after 7 months and no teacher these are technically easy for you, I don't think you really need our help...Most of us have not been capable of such progress.

[renzoramirez]

If after 7 months and no teacher these are technically easy for you, I don't think you really need our help...Most of us have not been capable of such progress.

Is that sarcasm, dangggg boye.

[outin]

Is that sarcasm, dangggg boye.

No, I am completely serious.

If you want to plunge into things like Chopin Ballades and Beethoven sonatas with that kind of experience, you will need a unique approach of your own. Not saying it cannot be done, but most of us have gone through a more conservative route and have little advice to offer.

[renzoramirez]

No, I am completely serious.

If you want to plunge into things like Chopin Ballades and Beethoven sonatas with that kind of experience, you will need a unique approach of your own. Not saying it cannot be done, but most of us have gone through a more conservative route and have little advice to offer.

I know yes they are very hard, but I only played them for show I guess, thank you for your output but

[j_menz]

Some of us here have considerable reservations about synthesia as a serious learning tool.  That may be because we are old fuddy duddies, or may be valid. I would be most interested to hear a recording of your Raindrop Prelude for my own education about this.

[renzoramirez]

Some of us here have considerable reservations about synthesia as a serious learning tool.  That may be because we are old fuddy duddies, or may be valid. I would be most interested to hear a recording of your Raindrop Prelude for my own education about this.

Hahaha yes I know what you mean, I only really use synthesia to know what notes to play, (which is what every ''noob'' does) but I dont just listen to synthesia if I want to learn a piece, I normally put my computer on mute so I cant hear the sound and I listen to various interpretations of the piece I am trying to play for example I compared Arthur Rubinstiens to Miarjan Kiepura, and notice the major differences as in tempo and all that so I put a lot of effort in each piece, I havent been progressing as fast as I want to but now I amgetting more serious about piano, I play every morning before school, as soon as I get home for at least 1 hour and at night time for another hour, I like to take breaks as to not work too hard since I find it I end up forgetting if I continiously practice

[outin]

Hahaha yes I know what you mean, I only really use synthesia to know what notes to play, (which is what every ''noob'' does)

Not every noob certainly...Many people just begin on the lowest step of the ladder and climb slowly towards the top. Which means learning to play and read something quite simple without any need for synthesia.

but I dont just listen to synthesia if I want to learn a piece, I normally put my computer on mute so I cant hear the sound and I listen to various interpretations of the piece I am trying to play for example I compared Arthur Rubinstiens to Miarjan Kiepura, and notice the major differences as in tempo and all that so I put a lot of effort in each piece,

It's impossible to tell if this is the case with you without hearing and seeing you play... But normally one cannot acquire the technique required to play other than quite simple music on the piano (and no Chopin is simple) by listening to the great pianists, even if you had the means to know what notes you must play.

I havent been progressing as fast as I want to...

Honestly I think you will need a completely different strategy to progress to the right direction, and it won't necessarily be as fast as you'd like. Progressing fast is not always the same as progressing well.

But I wouldn't mind being proved wrong!

[renzoramirez]

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But I wouldn't mind being proved wrong!

Very true, thank you for your response, I didnt mean to progress so fast, I do take my time for everything and I try my hardest, but yeah any more responses would be welcome, cheers buz201444

[pytheamateur]

Post some of your recordings here.  This is the only way for us to tell what your level is.  OK Chopin's Nocturne in C sharp minor might be too easy for you "technically", but if it is too difficult for you musically, there is no point moving to a piece such as Chopin's Ballade No.1, unless you are training to become a robot.

[chopinlover01]

Learn to read sheet music, if you haven't already. It's really a social skill, honestly. People who can read and play music generally are looked upon differently. If someone can give you a score and you can read a little bit of it at a time, you look a hell of a lot better than someone who can just play "Happy Birthday" and the first movement of Moonlight Sonata.
As far as all of your repertoire goes, I've been in your position. If you want to be a well rounded pianist and musician, back waaaay up and do some basic exercises from Hanon, and some beginning music from Bach. If those are the only pieces you can play, your technique will be very lacking. And as my teacher said (regarding technique), "If Bach can't fix it, then pick a different instrument. Of course, unless it's an issue Bach can't solve. Then find another composer to help."
What he meant is that Bach can fix most every mechanical issue that was prevalent during his time, but things such as dynamics (which were all the same, as Bach played on a harpsichord), tone quality (also non-existent), etc should be remedied by someone like Beethoven or Schumann. He also didn't want people to drop piano, as he was trying to get talented students during this time period
Doing things like raindrops, the c# minor nocturne, and ballades (especially the ballades) will destroy your motivation when something else you fall in love with is completely different, as you will have tons of trouble (I speak from experience here).
If you want to continue doing Chopin (a feeling I completely empathize and sympathize with, I've been there), start with his 4 easy preludes, the e minor, b minor, c minor, and a major. If the A major bores you, skip it, it doesn't have enough teaching in and of itself to be worth it if you don't love it. After that (and a healthy dose of Bach, Clementi, Mozart, and the rest), then revisit the Raindrop prelude and the first movement of Moonlight Sonata (Beethoven). If you want to, add some jazz in, it's great for improving theory knowledge.
On the topic of theory, you need to get all 12 major scales and 36 minor scales into your fingers, backwards, forwards, upside down, crosshande- Okay, not THAT well, but be able to do any of them on call, 4 octaves, both hands. Again, Hanon is great for this. Then do arpeggios, chord progressions, cadences, etc in EVERY key, both major and minor, then do modes.
*exhale*
As for synthesia as a learning tool, please DO NOT use it. Like I said in my first sentence, learn to read music! Synthesia doesn't show things like dynamics, except in minor changes in volume, nor tone or the like. It's extremely hard to use to get something down other than rhythm and notes. So, maybe Bach. Even then, though, it's hard to do.
Well, there's my lecture for you. Please know that even though it might sound like I'm being harsh, I'm doing this because it seems you have talent (if all you said is true; two minutes into a Chopin Ballade is one hell of a feat), but if you learn the wrong way, you'll eventually get crushed and have to relearn everything. I was there, it sucks badly. Do it now rather than then.
So, with all that in mind, have fun practicing!

[renzoramirez]

Learn to read sheet music, if you haven't already.

Thank you for your time to write all of that it really helps, I will take all of this into account