Play what you like

[bachapprentice]

I'm a classical guitarist but I love the piano and its large library of pieces. I'm just a classical music lover in general. I noticed when I try to figure out a new piece its easier to work on a piece that I love. I don't know if its because I've listened to it so much but I just find it easier and more awarding to work on.

Does anyone else feel that way?

[soultrap]

Yes. It's always easier to shape and learn a piece you've heard so many times before.

[dogperson]

For me, being easier to shape and polish is not related to how many times I have heard the music.... It can be heard only once or a thousand times.  If I love the music, I never tire of working on it.   It’s great to be an adult student where I participate in the selection process

[dw4rn]

Yes. It's always easier to shape and learn a piece you've heard so many times before.

I agree that this is how it feels, and of course you are more willing to put in the effort needed if you really love the piece.

But my suspicion is that it's not always better to have listened to a piece a lot before playing it yourself. Because of the fact that you know how it should sound, your ears will tend to hear what they want to hear - not the actual sound that you are making.

When I am playing well-known pieces that I have listened to a lot, I try to be extra attentive, asking myself continually if I am actually doing every detail like I want it. Recording yourself is a particularly good idea in those cases. Compare your own recording with your favourite one, and ask yourself what is missing (there is always something...)

[bachapprentice]

For me, being easier to shape and polish is not related to how many times I have heard the music.... It can be heard only once or a thousand times.  If I love the music, I never tire of working on it.   It’s great to be an adult student where I participate in the selection process

Being an adult I really take my time with a new piece and practice slower and smarter. I mark up my scores and make notes. When I was younger I wanted to play as many pieces as I could as fast as I could. Now i want to know the history of the piece and the composer.

[chongjasmine]

I agree that it is easier to play what you like rather than what you don't like.