How is every ones progress...

[johnmar78]

Hi All, just to update, after 3 weeks of training on op31 scherso and op42, etude 10 no 10. I just managed to memorise the op31. But only 2 pages of op42(waltze). Not much on the etude. Because I spent most time on op31 sicnce its a major work -for me . So this week I can focuse on op42.

So how are your progress going????

[PJF]

My Chopin Concerto in E minor, is really starting to take off. Starting a monster work is almost always too much to bear, like contemplating a tightrope walk across the Grand Canyon, but once I start, I can't stop. Sixteen weeks in, I've begun to relax my frenetic workload. I love this stage.

The episodes of the Maestoso are all solid, slow, but strong. The development of the first movement is not as technically focused as I'd like it to be. Combining the left and right hands is proving to be a pain in the "you-know-what". I'll get it sooner or later. Hopefully sooner.

The Romanze is very good. I could improve the coordination of the rubatos with the orchestra (which for now, is just a recording). It's basically a nocturne.

The virtuosic sections of the Rondo were giving me trouble, (they initially seemed impossible), but once I understood the logic behind the fingering, it's not so hard. Occasionaly, there's an awkward pause, while I think about what's next. The tempo is becoming stable @88. I'm aiming for a final tempo of 108 to 116. I am feeling somewhat relieved about meeting my deadline. By May 2007, the piece has to be, for lack of a better word, perfect.

[johnmar78]

pete,
I always wondered how to play the concerto -the E minor one with out another person. How do you recreate the atomshphere of orchestra.

How many page is the score?? I got the grand polonaise op22 at last.

Do you just play the piano section with a prerecorded tape with the orchestra section?? please expain?

[MindenBlues]

Hi All, just to update, after 3 weeks of training on op31 scherso and op42, etude 10 no 10. I just managed to memorise the op31. But only 2 pages of op42(waltze). Not much on the etude. Because I spent most time on op31 sicnce its a major work -for me . So this week I can focuse on op42.

That is a strong achievement in my opinion, to have that scherzo memorized in 3 weeks (beside your other works). I would be interested in how many hours you have spent for that?

I am just about memorizing the 1st ballade (op.23). I believe it will take several months at a whole, so I expect that it needs about 100 hours in my case to have the thing memorized, but not up to tempo. Seems so that I am a terrible slow learner

[avetma]

After three and a 1/2 weeks of learning Chopin 25/11 and Liszt 12th transcedental I think both are in very good condition.

I memorised about 3/4 of Chopin. Still there are some parts I cannot remember until studying them carefully (too lazy to do it now, I am on vacation ). But, most important thing is that I tehnically tackled it, and it is under control in fast tempo.

Liszt is still very under-construction I memorised everything, but I'm afraid to get it in tempo yet. Will be finished in two months or so. I hope

Ante

[johnmar78]

Hi All, just to update, after 3 weeks of training on op31 scherso and op42, etude 10 no 10. I just managed to memorise the op31. But only 2 pages of op42(waltze). Not much on the etude. Because I spent most time on op31 sicnce its a major work -for me . So this week I can focuse on op42.

That is a strong achievement in my opinion, to have that scherzo memorized in 3 weeks (beside your other works). I would be interested in how many hours you have spent for that?

I am just about memorizing the 1st ballade (op.23). I believe it will take several months at a whole, so I expect that it needs about 100 hours in my case to have the thing memorized, but not up to tempo. Seems so that I am a terrible slow learner

As you know I have 2 kids 7 and 5 . I work full time as a alcohol formulation chemist and do all sorts of tuitouring for my kids and other students. Mon to friday I do around 1 hour to2 hour per day(at max)with 3 breaks.
On the weeknd I do 1-3 hours in totall(4-5 breaks). When minds gets little bored. I switch my brian to waltze op42 which I did yesterday. And further reinforced the first two pages by memory. Tonight I will work on third page but only go thru Chopin schezo ONCE/Twice at the most----I need to manage my time efficiently and ONE THING I did last 3 days was, I was agry myself for progress too slow and FOCUSED further . The progress has improved another 10%.....Its on the right track. remember, when comes to memorisation I used to play slowly and no RASH is required, this is the way I acheive my full body and mentall relaxzation.....I hope this helps...
At least this works for me and my kids.....

With all that training plus once or twice op53 and op10 no1 (nothing else)
Just for appreceiation....

I found in the past OVER TRAINED-4 -5 hours is actally DOES NOT WORK for my brain. It seens 1- 1.5 hour a day with 3 breaks is the best???

[MindenBlues]

As you know I have 2 kids 7 and 5 . I work full time as a alcohol formulation chemist and do all sorts of tuitouring for my kids and other students. Mon to friday I do around 1 hour to2 hour per day(at max)with 3 breaks.
On the weeknd I do 1-3 hours in totall(4-5 breaks). When minds gets little bored. I switch my brian to waltze op42 which I did yesterday. And further reinforced the first two pages by memory. Tonight I will work on third page but only go thru Chopin schezo ONCE/Twice at the most----I need to manage my time efficiently and ONE THING I did last 3 days was, I was agry myself for progress too slow and FOCUSED further . The progress has improved another 10%.....Its on the right track. remember, when comes to memorisation I used to play slowly and no RASH is required, this is the way I acheive my full body and mentall relaxzation.....I hope this helps...
At least this works for me and my kids.....

With all that training plus once or twice op53 and op10 no1 (nothing else)
Just for appreceiation....

I found in the past OVER TRAINED-4 -5 hours is actally DOES NOT WORK for my brain. It seens 1- 1.5 hour a day with 3 breaks is the best???

Thank you, John. There are some things I should change in my practising habits, after reading your message. That is, I too practise so about 1 to 2 hours - but on a row, without breaks. I can imagine, that breaks are a good thing, because full attention is what gives fastest progress, so it seems.
Furthermore, playing SLOW for memorizing is another thing... Up to now I play passages slow, but not often, and only for eliminating muscle tension on difficult places - but not for memorizing purpuses. Good idea, I will try out - after reading the amount of time you and other need and what I need, I realize that I have to change something in my practising habits..

Thank you for those hints!

[johnmar78]

Every ones build and make up are different. One works for others or may not.

Have you noticed that play slowly with memorization is harder than playing fast. This is the common flaw in practice. The aim for playing slowly is to 1) relax the muscle
2) endures longer
3) strenches the muslec fully
4) reinforce the momorization power
5) YOUR EYES can see it and position it correctly.
6) You can hear the note clearly and at least for youself.
7) ignore the environemet/surroundings.

By all mean, dont take TOO MANY breaks, I would say 30 minutes-25 for the first session and come back for more after 1 hour??? or earlier.
You must be flexiable in break times...

Last night I did 2.5 hours(more than usual) with only 3 breaks. It depends your state of mind; Golden rule..When you tired or brian not ready for practice...DNT do it. Its a bit like a workout on weights, when muscle tired...rest.

[johnmar78]

One last thing to add. Only work on 1-2 pages at MAX. Dnt be greedy.

Olasf, I listened to your files(piano). Do you want some good feed back? If so where can I talk to you?

[MindenBlues]

One last thing to add. Only work on 1-2 pages at MAX. Dnt be greedy.

Olasf, I listened to your files(piano). Do you want some good feed back? If so where can I talk to you?

Thank you John, for your very profound practising tips. In my case there is the problem, that the grand piano is in the living room. If the family is in the house, they will hear the piano everywhere. If I would practise the 1 or 2 sheets 10 or 20 times in a row they would not really appreciate that, although I believe that it is the fastest way to get progress...
So it seems, I should better practise with headphone on my digital keyboard and use the grand only for playing more or less complete things.

Thank you too for listening to my piano files. What about talking with private mail via ChopinMusic or PianoSociety (using the in- and outbox)? I really appreciate constructive critique - helps me more than "only" kind words !!!

[PJF]

Hi All, just to update, after 3 weeks of training on op31 scherso and op42, etude 10 no 10. I just managed to memorise the op31. But only 2 pages of op42(waltze). Not much on the etude. Because I spent most time on op31 sicnce its a major work -for me . So this week I can focuse on op42.

That is a strong achievement in my opinion, to have that scherzo memorized in 3 weeks (beside your other works). I would be interested in how many hours you have spent for that?

I am just about memorizing the 1st ballade (op.23). I believe it will take several months at a whole, so I expect that it needs about 100 hours in my case to have the thing memorized, but not up to tempo. Seems so that I am a terrible slow learner

A hundred hours is about right. Not slow at all.
It's a difficult piece. Congratulations!

[PJF]

How is everyone's progress?

[elvenpianist]

Moi is doing quite well. I started new repertoire in.. hmm.. September, I believe- audition stuff, it being-

Bach- toccata & fugue in e minor (only the fugue for auditions)
Haydn- random sonata movement in c major
Chopin- c#m op. 50/3 mazurka
de Falla- serenata andaluza

The Bach is totally going.. aight. It's elfy, for sure. I'm polishing the fugue now, making sure the rhythms are even, blahblah. Quite fun.

The Haydn is fairly simple, but fun. It also is in polishing/memorization stages.

The Chopin I have finally PWNZOR3D. Took me long enough, but I have everything secure in my head now. Working out a few fiddly places where my technique is inadequate, but the main thing is that I can now seriously make sense of the music and have a full and (I must say) convincing vision of it. My teacher is very excited about this piece, lol.

de Falla- uh hmm lets not go there.

-elf

[PJF]

Congratulations, Clara!

[lol_nl]

I'm currently doing a lot with exercises and exercises...

Hanon, Pischna, Czerny...

My teacher wants to change my bad habit of fixing my wrists too much when I'm playing. I've played like this for more than 5 years, and it's hard to change the habit. When I think about it I can, but usually I forget about that when I'm playing...