Learning method

[gyzzzmo]

Hi, everybody (and a happy newyear)

I havent had any lessons since my 14th and im studying since by myself.
I've been learn myself to play on a maybe strange way but to my opinion a reached a descent level by that method:
Generally, i got most of my technical skills by playing chopin etudes!
In the beginning the pieces were faaaaaar and faaaar (and go on....) too difficult for me, but i started playing these pieces at a very low speed and now i can play most pieces at least 3/4 of right speed and with a good accurasy and awareness of the notes. Now im able to play the 2th (op10) at 120 and 12th (op12) at 140.
For example, i can also play the 2th balad of chopin and english suite no2, Bach.

Its easy to keep playing these etudes because they are also fun at low speed.
What about this learning method?

Gyzzzmo

[xvimbi]

What about this learning method?

I guess what would be important to know is whether you learned how to play these particular pieces only, or whether you acquired general technique that allows you to play any piece within that difficulty level.

[gyzzzmo]

Thanks for the quick reply,

to be honost, i dont know really what the difficulty level of a particulariy piece is.
I just try to play a piece what i heard on cd or whatever. Ofcourse i encountered some difficulties, but i try to play a difficult part till a certain speed i can play it reasonable and controlled.
I think my general technique has become to a 'good' level, because i also managed to play the balad, the bach suite (wich requires well controlled fingers, right and left hand), nocturne op48 no1 chopin, and other pieces of that (i think) difficulty.
Maybe you know a piece wich requires a lot of different techniques so i can see what my skill is.

Gyzzzmo

[anda]

also, depends on what you re practicing for - if you just want to play this or that work, then go ahead and practice whatever you want, and give it your best shot. however, if you want to ever become a "professional pianist" (i hate the expression, but nothing better comes to my mind right now), you need a more organized/disciplined program.

best luck

[gyzzzmo]

Thanks for the reply,

As far as i experienced, i didnt realy encountered any serious flaws in my technics.
I think (say it when im wrong) that the biggest problem of not be able to play difficult pieces, that i dont play more than 1 hour a day, average.
Of course, there are some things wich arent treated in the chopin etudes like trills or really fast triolets like in 'La Campanella'. Those things i have to practise on a different way. But as far as i know, i dont really have any basicly problems, like what you might suspect....

The fun is, that i myself wouldnt expect someone learning to play piano this way will ever be able to play a difficult piece decently.

So might this be a new way of learning to play the piano?
And do you know a piece with lots of several different required techniques so i might find some flaws? (i -am- very critical about myself!)

Thanks, Gyzzzmo

[xvimbi]

So might this be a new way of learning to play the piano?

I am not sure I understand. Are you saying you are learning to play the piano by playing etudes? In this case, millions of pianists have done that. Nothing new.

Or are you saying you are learning to play the piano by playing pieces? Again, millions of pianists have done that.

And do you know a piece with lots of several different required techniques so i might find some flaws? (i -am- very critical about myself!)

Flaws are measured against a standard. You will not be able to identfy flaws other than comparing your playing to a recording. Somebody else will have to listen to you and observe you playing to make an assessment of your abilities. If it is possible, get a teacher. You'll learn so much faster, and if the teacher is good, you won't acquire bad habits.

[gyzzzmo]

Hi xvimbi,

i think the difference in my 'method' is, that i got most of my technical skills by playing particulary the chopin etudes since i was 16. At that time the chopin etudes were faaaar too difficult,  but by playing multiple etudes very slow first, i got better and faster.
I dont think there are many pianists who got their techniques this way.

gyzzzmo

[mound]

I think the real answer will be in how good your playing sounds.

we saw an example here recently of a recording of the Fantasy Impromptu, a self-taught pianist - the notes were all there (pretty much) and the speed was all there (pretty much) but it sounded terrible..  technique isn't merely in hitting the right notes at the right time, it's how you hit them that is equally important.  In fact you mentioned that you "can play most pieces at least 3/4 of right speed" - I wonder if the technique you have developed doing it on your own is preventing you from hitting 100% of desired speed?

Can you post any recordings of yourself? Have any teachers or otherwise qualifed pianists heard you play?

-Paul

[mound]

[deleted double post]

[gyzzzmo]

hi paul,

half a year ago, i gave a 'concert' with friends of mine.
I played bach second english suite, chopin etude op10#2 and 2th balad of chopin.

I got good comments from listeners, also concervatory teachers and students.

gyzzzmo

[mound]

hi paul,

half a year ago, i gave a 'concert' with friends of mine.
I played bach second english suite, chopin etude op10#2 and 2th balad of chopin.

I got good comments from listeners, also concervatory teachers and students.

gyzzzmo

Excellent! You must be doing something right then

Do you have any recordings to share?

Take care

-Paul

[gyzzzmo]

Maybe im going to try to record something.
I have a nice digital piano (clp-950 yamaha clavinova), so it should be easy.

Thanks