Plan to acquire technique w/o Hannon ||| Cooking a piece

[asyncopated]

Hi,

I've read several posts around, with plans designed for repertoire etc.  However, as a beginner, what I am most concerned with right now is to get the right technique.  By this what I mean is refine my movement to produce a better sound.  Also, I do like the idea that eventually it is your technique that allows you to express yourself freely -- I little of the purist approach.  Right now, I am obsessed with getting fundamentals right.  I don't want to play myself into a corner, and hit a brick wall because I did not do things right at the start.

I also am not much of a fan of Hanon, although there is some merit in it.  Most of the exercises allow you to concentrate on motion, without regard for context.  I prefer to work slightly differently.  Also all of the basic exercises (first 30) are only on white keys. 

I'm looking for a plan to make sure I acquire a (almost) complete technique, in the shortest possible time, (everything in Hanon) step by step from repertoire with more musical content.   I am not fussy about repertoire, but prefer a variety of composes from different periods.  I think that developing breath as well as depth is important for musicianship. As such I would like to construct a repertoire with a focus on technique, and making sure that I acquire at least, all the necessary basic and intermediate skills.

Having said this, there is probably more than one piece of music that will teach me the G major scale, or how to trill with 3-4, but this is good because it means I have a choice.  I was wondering if anyone has a concrete plan.
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Also I have a slightly unrelated question.  When learning a pieces I go through the following stages

1.   Struggling with notes.
2.   Have all notes and playing the piece more or less whole, with pauses and adjustments here and there (in tempo, dynamics).  Hand movement is there, but not extremely certain.
3.   Have an overview of the piece and confident hand movements.
4.      Months/Years to intepret the piece, over and over again, to refine everything and psycologically prepare for competition/concert.
 
Is there a way to speed up stage 2 -- the acquiring familiarity stage? I find that it takes a about 2 weeks to get to stage 3.   At stage 2, I’ve also noticed that there is a distinct lack of confidence.  I am confident of each of the sections separately and know them individually quite well. But still have no confidence in playing the piece as a whole.  It is just a mental block?   Is it a beginner’s problem?

I find that after being able to play the piece whole, I need a couple of weeks for all actions become familiar.   My teacher says that there is no way to do this, but I was wondering if any one has ideas or mental exercises that I can do to speed up the process.  I also find that playing it over 3 times a day and 9 times a day makes little difference.  It still takes over a week to get familiar with the piece – it does not take 3 times less time.

If it is not possible to speed it up, will learning more pieces at the same time change things?  For example at time moment I have 2 pieces that I can play in the by unfamiliar stage, If I learn another 3 simultaneously so that I have 5 pieces cooking at that stage, given that I will play every piece at least 3 times a day, will it take a longer time for the 5 pieces to sink in?   I’m not sure if this question has a general answer or if it’s based on the individual.  However, I do think that general principles that govern subconscious learning apply and was wondering if any one can offer advice or an explanation,


al.

[Brian Healey]

Hanon doesn't even teach motions. The exercises are meant to be played using only the fingers, which has been proven to be an invitation to injury city.

I don't think there's a "quick fix" to get you all of the "Hanon technique."  For one thing, like you said, Hanon is based solely on the white keys. Try transposing Hanon exercises 1-10 through all 12 keys. I think that will help you more than simply playing through the book. A disregard Hanon's instructions. Definitely use your wrists and don't play with your fingers.

Overall though, I think (and this is a personal opinion) that you should forget about technique as an end in itself and focus on learning repertoire. Then, as problems arise, look through your Hanon book and find exercises that relate to your problem (or better yet, devise your own exercises). This will help you develope your technique in a more meaningful way. 

But definitely if you play Hanon, transpose every exercise to at least a few other keys. Otherwise, it's pretty useless.

Peace,
Bri

[xvimbi]

...

However, as a beginner, what I am most concerned with right now is to get the right technique. 

...

Right now, I am obsessed with getting fundamentals right.  I don't want to play myself into a corner, and hit a brick wall because I did not do things right at the start.

Good attitude. If I could do it over again, I would start out reading about the anatomy and physiology of piano playing. I would put the focus on HEALTHY technique, not just technique. I would study the human playing apparatus and the mechanics of the piano first, before or at least simultaneously with making music.

Instead of Hanon, the series "A dozen a day" gives a much more "real" introduction into technique. The exercises are little snippets that appear in the repertoire, and they are progressive. But, like pretty much everything else, a knowledgeable teacher is absolutely required to get the most out of it.

Finally, if you really want to acquire technique through making music, start working on Bach and Scarlatti. There is simply nothing better than that (IMO). Oh, if I could only do it all over again...

[steinwayguy]

Things you should definitely hit on at some point in the near future:
15 Two-Part Inventions- Bach
Keyboard sonatas- Scarlatti
Piano Sonatas- Mozart
Impromptus/Moments Musicaux- Schubert
Piano Sonatas- Beethoven
Well-Tempered Clavier- Bach

[LVB op.57]

Hanon doesn't even teach motions. The exercises are meant to be played using only the fingers, which has been proven to be an invitation to injury city.

Agreed, Hanon did nothing but give me handaches. Experiment with exercises on your own. There's no single exercise that works for everyone, because everyone's hands are different. However, one that thing should definitely be done is making exercises from pieces you are currently working on. For example, I am working on Beethoven's Pathetique, first movement. Exercises I do daily are the left hand tremolos SLOWLY, and several others. Each high level piece you come across will probably present a new technical challenge that you've never encountered before, so this can't be too highly reccomended.

[asyncopated]

Hi,

Thanks for your advice!  It is very helpful.  Just a newbie question that's been bugging me.

What does IMO stand for? 


Thanks.

al

[abell88]

At last, a question I feel confident in answering! IMO is "in my opinion". Those who don't want to be accused of arrogance may use IMHO (in my humble opinion).

Alice