Help: Everything A Student Must Have

[Kas]

Hi.  I'm new to the board.  I'm 14.  I'm also looking for help.  I talked to a few people in the 'chat' function and they say the peices I'm playing and have played are all to 'widely-played' or 'widely-known'.  I'm sure they are.  The problem is I really don't know any composers that aren't (yeah I know thats sad).

Heres my 'New to the Board' link, saying what I've played reading etc. etc.

https://www.pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,9694.0.html

I'm wondering what you recommend as peices to play, music to listen to, books to read, shows to watch, etc. etc.  Even it's the most obvious thing ever, recommend it.  Even if it's a 'listen to Chopin'.  It'd be great if you could tell me everything I need to have.  I hope to major piano in college and I'm sure there are plenty of things I am missing (while you might know I need).  I'm not worried about money if it's something I must have, I'll find a way to come up with the money.  If you list every composer that you know and think are a must listen to, I'd appreciate it (lol).  Such as listen to "blah" because of his unbeleivable technique or "blah" because of his/her crazy waltz's, or read this because it'll grind so much theory into your brain.  I'm trying to get serious about this and I'm looking for help.  Any advice you could give me would help me a lot...   

If you can link me to places that have what you recommend (books, music, peices, etc.) it'd be greatly appreciated.


!LL 

 

[whynot]

I loved your post!  You seem very dedicated to music and also very open-minded.  I also appreciate that you shared your age, because it makes it easier to picture your situation.  You've been told that your repertoire is too often played, or something like that.  The catch-22 with this issue is that if you play the well-known standard pieces, you will get that said to you a lot.  And if you do not play those pieces, people will say in disbelief, "You mean you NEVER played the such-and-such???"  So it's probably useful to just look at what's good for you.  Which is probably (1) to enjoy your music/life, and (2) to be prepared for the next big step in your musical education, which I guess would be college.

For (1), play music you choose yourself and really care about, whether it's "overplayed" or incredibly obscure.  You already know you love Chopin, which is great.  There are so many composers who wrote incredible music for the piano.  I guess the quickest way to discover them is to listen to good performers, see what they play and make a note of everything you like.  There will be other composers and pieces that will become special for you if you get a chance to hear them-- this won't ruin Chopin for you, because he will always be one of the greats. 

For (2), you want to know what the repertoire is that would be expected of an incoming performance major and start working on that.  It's different with every teacher or school, but the following are very likely.  They'll expect (or appreciate) you to know some Chopin (yea), Beethoven-- maybe look at another sonata and some shorter pieces, BACH! some inventions and a French Suite are good starters, MOZART! find a sonata you like, Scarlatti sonatas (these are short, there are tons of them, and they greatly vary in mood and difficulty, so it's easy to find something you like), Debussy, Schubert, Schumann-- also big variety in mood and difficulty w/ a great many short pieces, Brahms-- big variety w/ many short pieces to choose from (or do a whole set), and Skryabin/Scriabine (var spellings)-- some of his work is a little out there if you haven't experienced a lot of repertoire, but some of the short pieces are lovely and lyrical, and certainly difficult enough to be interesting playing.  This is only a short list, and you'll get great suggestions from other people.  Best of luck!

I forgot to ask, do you have a teacher?  This is important.  If you're playing big pieces and working on your own, there's some chance of harmful motions and unhealthy use of force.  This doesn't sound that ominous in writing but is actually a very big deal.  It's  important to have someone knowledgeable keeping an eye on you while you keep developing.  My apologies if you already have someone and here I am trying to sell you on the idea!  Anyway, best wishes.   

[nomis]

You need to have:

- a love for music (not just piano music or classical - just anything that you like)
- dedication (an absolute must)
- patience (not everything will click at first)
- short, medium and long term goals
- a good teacher (near enough the most essential element if you want to be any good at playing. If you find that you do not like the teacher, or feel that you are not progressing, you must change teachers at once. After all, you are paying them to teach you, no matter how imposing they may be)

These are the most essential points.

As for books have a look here: https://www.pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,6759.0.html

Finally, remember to play only pieces that you like. The piano repertoire is far too vast to be playing pieces that you don't like.

(In the words of Bernhard) Just the tip of the iceberg. 

[Kas]

First off yes I have a great teacher.  I've talked to other musician's and piano majors, and they say she is the best.  She has a doctrete from I think it was Eastman.  I'm happy with her right now.    Thanks for the artists and peices that should be played.  All helpful.

I have a love for music, dedication, patience, all sorts of goals, and a good teacher.  Thanks for the link to books.  I also love playing what I play and I'll keep playing what I'll play.  I'm just looking for a wider perspective, listening to peices I haven't heard yet and such.

Thanky Thanky everyone.  Still hope to get more replys. 


!LL

[kaziel illian]

Sorry for double posting but I made a new name. 


!LL

[celticqt]

One thing - don't ever let piano become "work" or "drudgery."  Always remember to have fun.

Wish I had been thinking like you are when I was 14.  Good luck, Kaziel!

[kaziel illian]

^'Bump'^


!LL

[gorbee natcase]

I play most of the ones you have listed. they are great pieces for a reason, because they are good, for god sake dont neglect them perfect them and add them to your repertoir. BUILD RATHER THAN DESTROY

[kaziel illian]

Coo' Coo'.   


!LL

[asyncopated]

Just a short note with regards to listening to music.   I won't talk about any other aspect because firstly, I am not qualified and secondly an believe that truly good musicality starts with listenening.

I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so.  Listen to as much music as you can, borrow cds from the library and go for concerts.

Also start being objective about things.  Ask yourself, what was that about?  Was the composer trying to say (to you), did the conductor/instrumentalist deliver the music in the right way.  If you were to compose a piece like that how would you go about doing it?  Is the piece to long/to short?  Are there moments of brilliance... can you tell why they are brilliant?  Do you like the sound, the tone produced, what so special about the quality/texture of sound?  Does it remind you of something?  Is there anything you dislike?  Can you put the music into context?  Do you know a little about the history of classical or even folk music?  What did this or that composer do that was so special for his time?  Is it just a pretty sound?  Do you know about the life of the composer?  If you are up for it, borrow the score and listen to music with the score.  If you have time analyze it.  Of course, you should only do so if you are interested and want to, don't under any circumstances sacrifice an ounce of sheer delight in listening to music for what you may consider work. 

I would say almost all of the great composers have something to offer.  They all have pushed the envelop and change the bounds of music and composition in some form.  Almost all of their lives are interesting in someway and so is their music.  For this reason, I am not going to recommend any one composer. 

If you find the amount of music over whelming and are a beginner (to classical music)  I suggest starting with the popular pieces.  One from each of the 4 periods.  I'm sure you can easily find great works from each.  Have fun listening to them.  Don't forget about music from the movies! 

If you are not, and have a reasonable working knowledge of music, and music theory --  I suggest, do as I do, keep developing depth and breath.  Listen widely and listen intensely. 


al.
 

[kaziel illian]

Thanks for the reply...still waiting for more...

Books Bought: (expensive)
1. Eric Taylor - The A.B. Theory Book.  
2. Michael Miller - The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Music Theory.
3. Robert L. Jacobs - Understanding Harmony.
4. William Russo - Composing music: A New Approach.
5. W. A. Mathieu - Harmonic Experience: Tonal Harmony From Its Natural Origins To Its Modern Expression.
6. Howard Richmann - Super Sight-Reading Secrets
7. Seymour Fink - Mastering Piano Tecnique
8. Gyorgy Sandor - On Piano Playing

Music Bought: (!!Still need more music!!)
I've gotten 4gb worth of music for $75.
I just got 19 CD's from the library (still more there).


I'm getting a collection/library.


!LL