Need some help with new pieces

[ranniks]

Currently not seeing my teacher and the piano has become something I play for 5 to 10 minutes day if at all, but I want to resume the training of the piano. The reason is because I have other commitments that started recently.

I've had lessons for about 2 years. I think I can handle a few grade 4 pieces. Anyone got any suggestions? They need to be pieces that will help me grow as a piano player, e.g. teaching me new techniques and stuff like that. I can play the invention 1 first page decently I think. Even the left hand is coming up nice.

[j_menz]

So, 14 1/2 inventions to go. 

Get a grade 4 grade book from one of the various syllabi (or skim the contents and get them from IMSLP).

[ranniks]

So, 14 1/2 inventions to go. 

Get a grade 4 grade book from one of the various syllabi (or skim the contents and get them from IMSLP).

Hello!

Getting to do all inventions would be an accomplishment I think! I love Bach anyways.

Will do as you say. Thanks!

[visitor]

Gliere! Usually out of the league of earlier grades but his children's music from op 31 is legit

Yuyama,- see pic for example of part of score, these pieces are so pretty and not hard at all (though take skill to create character so they will help you develop)

Nishida

Yamamoto  

*follow the links after video for more from the series.


hmm, Kohler perhaps, his op 210 children's album is so cute!

Maykapar

[mjames]

Give me the links to free manuscripts. Plz, visitor.

[visitor]

Give me the links to free manuscripts. Plz, visitor.

I wish I could help, no can do. 1. the Japanese pieces are copyright. I only have hard copies of some (I am looking for a few related pieces myself but i always have to direct import this type of music).
Zen ON is in print avail for purchase. I have not checked for links or free scans as I hate PDF unless only option and always seek to buy hard copies (either second hand or new).

If i come across anything I will pm you.  The image for the yuyama is just a preview picture, not part of a file for scanned score or anything...

[outin]

Getting to do all inventions would be an accomplishment I think! I love Bach anyways.

Be careful! J_Menz is just trying to lure you into his world...
Seriously, I am not sure you should do the inventions without a teacher...

You must supplement your Bach with other stuff. Like Scarlatti
Did you do K 32 and 34 already?  Here are other ones well within your reach:
K040
K042
K073
K080
K081
K083
K088
K382
K431
K471
K014
K015
K063
K074
K075
K163
K199
K304
K322
K377
K398
K441
K512

Why not get the Lemoine etudes op 37? Not too difficult to work without a teacher:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kinder-Et%C3%BCden-op-37-f%C3%BCr-Klavier/dp/B00006M2FA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411181652&sr=8-1&keywords=lemoine+kinder+etuden

Then Romantic stuff. I think you already know the Burgmüller op 100? Here's a collection you could get:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chopin-Introductory-Easier-Pieces-Series/dp/1854723049/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411181521&sr=8-1&keywords=chopin+introductory+album

And then something a bit more modern...This one has several lovely short pieces not too difficult:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shostakovich-Schirmers-Library-Musical-Classics/dp/0793599326/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411181599&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=shostakovich+easier+piano+pieces

And don't forget to practice your counting, you were making really good progress with rhythm!

15 minutes a day will keep you going until your situation changes and you'll get back to lessons. Just don't quit!

They need to be pieces that will help me grow as a piano player, e.g. teaching me new techniques and stuff like that.

Anything will, if you do it the right way! Don't get fooled by the idea of needing to work on progressively more difficult pieces, instead concentrate on quality and your working habits until you get a teacher again.

[theholygideons]

Try some works by Leopold Godowsky. They're really good for beginners.

https://petrucci.mus.auth.gr/imglnks/usimg/0/0e/IMSLP11013-Godowsky_APS_08_First_Russian_Suite.pdf
https://petrucci.mus.auth.gr/imglnks/usimg/c/c0/IMSLP11014-Godowsky_APS_09_Second_Russian_Suite.pdf

[ranniks]

Gliere! Usually out of the league of earlier grades but his children's music from op 31 is legit

Yuyama,- see pic for example of part of score, these pieces are so pretty and not hard at all (though take skill to create character so they will help you develop)

Nishida

Yamamoto  

*follow the links after video for more from the series.


hmm, Kohler perhaps, his op 210 children's album is so cute!

Maykapar

I havn't listened to most of the links, but those Japanese (not sure if I'm correct in this assumption) sound lovely. I will do some research/listen to them.

Thank you!

Be careful! J_Menz is just trying to lure you into his world...

Haha . Well I was a Bach fan before starting the piano (I think). Following J_Menz's advice I found this link: https://us.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/piano/piano-grade-4/

And chose these pieces for (hopefully) this year to work on:

- Hummel op. 52 no. 3
- Schumann op. 68 no. 7

Didn't listen to other's from the ABC list, but I tried a few. So far the ones I listened in the C list I didn't really like.

Seriously, I am not sure you should do the inventions without a teacher...

You may be right. But currently I'm not going to do all inventions. This year it would be nice to finish the first invention. I put a recording of the first page in this post! I played twice, first without much staccatto, the second I did more staccatto.

You must supplement your Bach with other stuff. Like Scarlatti
Did you do K 32 and 34 already?  Here are other ones well within your reach:
K040
K042
K073
K080
K081
K083
K088
K382
K431
K471
K014
K015
K063
K074
K075
K163
K199
K304
K322
K377
K398
K441
K512

Why not get the Lemoine etudes op 37? Not too difficult to work without a teacher:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kinder-Et%C3%BCden-op-37-f%C3%BCr-Klavier/dp/B00006M2FA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411181652&sr=8-1&keywords=lemoine+kinder+etuden

Then Romantic stuff. I think you already know the Burgmüller op 100? Here's a collection you could get:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chopin-Introductory-Easier-Pieces-Series/dp/1854723049/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411181521&sr=8-1&keywords=chopin+introductory+album

And then something a bit more modern...This one has several lovely short pieces not too difficult:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shostakovich-Schirmers-Library-Musical-Classics/dp/0793599326/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411181599&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=shostakovich+easier+piano+pieces

I'm going to research the above and pick out ones I might like. Thank you!

And don't forget to practice your counting, you were making really good progress with rhythm!

Thank you. You're absolutely right about my rhythm. How does it sound in the Bach recording in this post? I will work on the counting.

15 minutes a day will keep you going until your situation changes and you'll get back to lessons. Just don't quit!

Anything will, if you do it the right way! Don't get fooled by the idea of needing to work on progressively more difficult pieces, instead concentrate on quality and your working habits until you get a teacher again.

Yeah, that's true. I once thought (or at least I think I thought it), that I needed to move up quickly with the grades because I wanted to do chopin's raindrops and some waltzes of his. But now I've changed my mind. I want to gain experience in pieces that will help me progress as a piano player, they don't have to be grade 6 or something.

By the way. The piano has been safely moved downstairs! I was at my brother's home for the night and went to my parent's home (where I live) to welcome the movers in the house, but when I arrived home the piano was already downstairs! The movers were early. I'm actually happy. My heart would probably beat harder if I was with the movers watching them move the piano downstairs. I was very afraid someone might get hurt.

I don't have a lot of money, but I want to get a digital. As you said some time ago, having both acoustic and digital would be nice. I can either buy a digital with 32 polyphony now, or wait a few months and get one with 128 polyphony. I think I should wait. The digital would give me more room to play at night.

Try some works by Leopold Godowsky. They're really good for beginners.

https://petrucci.mus.auth.gr/imglnks/usimg/0/0e/IMSLP11013-Godowsky_APS_08_First_Russian_Suite.pdf
https://petrucci.mus.auth.gr/imglnks/usimg/c/c0/IMSLP11014-Godowsky_APS_09_Second_Russian_Suite.pdf

I'll research the pieces you suggested, thank you!

[coda_colossale]

You must supplement your Bach with other stuff. Like Scarlatti

K. 141 is such a joy to play, though I think it's a bit more challenging than most.

[dvorakova]

I think that one (K141) is a bit difficult for someone at intermediate level.  There's a wonderful recording by Argerich.  But I would stick to the ones Outin has listed.

[coda_colossale]

I think that one (K141) is a bit difficult for someone at intermediate level.  There's a wonderful recording by Argerich.  But I would stick to the ones Outin has listed.

I personally like the more intimate interpretation of Gilels, but Argerich's interpretation has this inexplicable energy. I don't think I can ever play at that tempo

[j_menz]

Step into the light.

No, come over to the dark side.

 

[dvorakova]

Thanks for the recommendation Coda colossale. I've just listened to the gilels version - very different from argerich's energy but he brings a lyricism I hadn't previously associated with this piece.

[outin]

Thank you. You're absolutely right about my rhythm. How does it sound in the Bach recording in this post? I will work on the counting.

A bit messy at some parts, because you play too fast
More slow work needed and expecially with the ornaments.

By the way. The piano has been safely moved downstairs!

I don't have a lot of money, but I want to get a digital. As you said some time ago, having both acoustic and digital would be nice. I can either buy a digital with 32 polyphony now, or wait a few months and get one with 128 polyphony. I think I should wait. The digital would give me more room to play at night.

Good to hear the piano was moved safely!

I also think it's better to wait until you can afford a good digital...

I moved my digital today from the summer place and it's now in my living room...can stay until I find a grand, then it must find another place... So now I have two pianos at home, but there's a saying in my language that means something like "never two without a third" 

[ranniks]

A bit messy at some parts, because you play too fast
More slow work needed and expecially with the ornaments.

Awwww:(.

I thought I had it under control. Havn't seen my teacher for a few months now though. I remember my teacher telling me to play the ornaments slower, but I kind of like going through them that quick.

Good to hear the piano was moved safely!

I also think it's better to wait until you can afford a good digital...

I moved my digital today from the summer place and it's now in my living room...can stay until I find a grand, then it must find another place... So now I have two pianos at home, but there's a saying in my language that means something like "never two without a third" 

That saying is good/nice!

I think it's pretty cool to own a digital and an acoustic.

[outin]

I thought I had it under control. Havn't seen my teacher for a few months now though. I remember my teacher telling me to play the ornaments slower, but I kind of like going through them that quick.

When you listen to your recording, do you hear when you are rushing and then slowing down? There are two things that will help you play the piece with a steady tempo: Counting exercise so that you understand and internalize the rhythm so well, that it becomes automatic. The other thing is to practice the harder parts slowly long enough to be able to play them well enough to keep the tempo steady. 

Bach is difficult, and that's why you should take your time with the pieces, don't try to play in faster tempo before you can play everything correctly. Spend your daily 15 minutes on working one or few measures in an analytical way instead or working out your fingers and I promise you'll see results