Increasing repertoire

[nixo1000]

Over the years I have played many of pieces however I really only know a couple of Chopin preludes by heart. How do I increase my musical library with pieces that are of a considerable length, and easy to remember ,but impressive. I do have in mind that in order to truly learn a piece one must practice for years, but I am having trouble choosing that right piece to keep in my repertoire forever.

[steinwayguy]

Well the answer is obvious, the one you like the most. There's no way around that. You're more inclined to remember something you're interested in, than one you're not.

[happyface94]

I agree, find a piece you like. Also, if you want to play something thats impressive for the others (or commonly known as the pretty girl who plays piano but is not good as you) You'll find popularity in Chopin (Fantaisie Impromptu). I've also had success with Beethoven (Moonlight sonata 3rd mouvement) However, since its hard to grade your skill level, you could also try the children's corner from Debussy (the last one is a crowd piece) which is much easier to play.

[mound]

Look around for posts by Bernhard, he's posted many great ideas on just this thing.  In a nutshell - it boils down to this:

1. Practice every piece you want to maintain in your repertoir, every day, forever.

-or- if that sounds insane

1. Use all the tools you can to learn a piece the first time through, and keep careful track of the process you used to learn it.

2. Forget the piece for a time (6 months, a year, whatever)

3. Return to it, and go back to your notes from way back and re-learn the piece following the same steps. Of course this time it will take you much less time, but be sure to follow the same steps.

4. Forget it once again for an extended time.

5. Repeat #3 (taking even less time to do so) and you'll have it for the rest of your life.

I think you'll also find that Bernhard agrees (as do I, and apparently the other responders) that you also should pick pieces you enjoy. Why waste time learning pieces you can't stand playing?

Lastly, you can impress people with beautifully played yet simple repertoir. Don't get ahead of yourself just "to impress" as that will likely yield just the opposite.

-Paul

[nanabush]

I think Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum would be more of a crowd piece than the snow is dancing... Iunno I just prefer that piece..

[happyface94]

Wasnt the last one the jazzy or so one?

[milkcarton08]

I have this same problem! It's really awful to, when you only have 5 or so minutes of music memorized. Right now I just finished learning the first movement of mozarts Bb sonata kv333 (you might want to consider this peice, it's around 12 minutes, not all that impressive, but it's a nice peice) and I really want to keep it forever, so I've written out a plan to memorize over a month, very slowly, I'm hoping this will work.

-michael

[hodi]

once u master a piece, it's all in your mind, you can never forget it, after a week of going back to the piece u will be able to play it well...

[lostinidlewonder]

You should first aim to memorise important pieces which will improve your ability. Doing what you like without a solid basis first can make you a very sluggish slow learner at the piano.

You may have studied many pieces which improve your method on how to play the piano, but if you haven't memorised them then you haven't really learnt anything in my opinion. Once something is memorised you KNOW it, you know all physical and emotional aspects of it, you dont need sheet music any external source to hinder your transfer to the piano.

Memorise a few Bach Well Tempered Clavier, Beethoven Sonata, Chopin Etudes, if you are at a good enough level of course to ignore the "easier" works which prepare for these books. But that would be an ideal way to start your repetoire, very solid stuff. Oh, and make sure you constantly measure how many bars you memorise and get to perfomance level every day, or week. This ensures you know when you are lingering too long over a piece thus slowing the rate of growth to your repetoire.

I don't believe a beginner should focus to increase their memorised repetoire. They should aim to understand the physical nature of playing the instrument but of course memorise a few pieces. The idea is that you are restricted to what you play based upon what your teacher decides will improve your ability. When you have a higher level of playing then explore what you like and develop your library of music to present to others.

[6ft 4]

I agree, find a piece you like. Also, if you want to play something thats impressive for the others (or commonly known as the pretty girl who plays piano but is not good as you)

I never know what to say when someone comes up and starts praising you.

I just sort of nod and carry on wishing i could think of something to say.