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How does someone choose meaningful repertoire?

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Topic: How does someone choose meaningful repertoire? (Read 2083 times)

cheeriosok

PS Silver Member
Newbie
Posts: 7

How does someone choose meaningful repertoire?

on: July 01, 2020, 06:53:04 PM

Hello, I have been without a teacher for about a year now and my progress has stagnated since then, I am currently 'suffering' from the paradox of choice with regards to selecting repertoire- (The paradox of choice: an observation that having many options to choose from, rather than making people happy and ensuring they get what they want, can cause them stress and problematize decision-making.)

On one hand, we should select repertoire that we love (encourages practice) but also we should be practical and methodically choose repertoire that will target our problem areas. I can currently think of at least 100 works of repertoire that I enjoy to listen to and would undoubtedly improve my playing, but I am having troubles with making the decision of selecting the "right" one. I have switched rep at least a dozen times now. How do you all make the right decision that you can confidently stick to?

In addition, I have had some instructors encourage me to take on challenging pieces (Beethoven Op. 2 No. 3 or Grieg Piano Sonata) and others that recommend short-easy pieces (Schumann Kinderszenen) that will improve my sight-reading and ability to 'learn' repertoire (I have learned about ~ 10 pieces in my 5-year piano career), I would appreciate any advice!

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dogperson

Sr. Member
Posts: 1559

Re: How does someone choose meaningful repertoire?

Reply #1 on: July 01, 2020, 07:24:08 PM

If you were choosing repertoire that you love and will help you develop skills, I can’t understand why you were changing frequently. I would suggest you choose one easier piece that you can learn quickly, and one slightly longer/more difficult one. You need to discipline yourself to stick with it until you get it done but since you’ve chosen pieces that you love that should not be that difficult to do.

I suspect you might be abandoning a piece when you reach a problem. If that is the correct analysis, it is a matter of discipline in working through the tough parts. Isolate each problem part and work on it until it is no longer a problem. This means you cannot allow yourself the luxury of starting from the beginning every time you practice. You must start with a measure/section that is tough.

If this is not the reason, you need to ask yourself what is the reason that you were abandoning music in the middle that you would love to play. Averaging two pieces per year is not productive; possibly your choices are too difficult for your current level?

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pianoannieq

PS Silver Member
Jr. Member
Posts: 41

Re: How does someone choose meaningful repertoire?

Reply #2 on: July 01, 2020, 08:10:34 PM

Hi Cheeriosok,

Like Dogperson said, you're going to have to dedicate a lot of energy for a few pieces at a time in order to make progress in your piano playing. I wouldn't make any repertoire switches unless you know for sure that the piece is out of your reach (take 3-7 days and try to sightread the whole piece at approximately half the tempo, make a judgment from there).

If you're switching repertoire out of boredom, then I'd recommend learning a few shorter pieces at a time. Longer pieces can be more daunting and you will need lots of time to make every measure meaningful. Choosing 2-3 easier pieces at a time keeps pieces fresher and you will be less likely to rush and switch repertoire. Plus, they will most likely be easier to learn, and you can then slowly increase your stamina to where you can devote lots of time to learn and polish large-scale works.

Since you mentioned sonatas, maybe you could only learn one movement from a certain sonata and then find one other short piece so you'll get a sense of what other styles are like. This will make it easier for you to learn other pieces quickly in the future!

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I hate music (and sarcasm)

Beethoven Sonata 18
Liszt Rhapsodie Espagnole
Prokofiev Sonata 4 op.29
Scriabin Piano Concerto

achoo42

PS Silver Member
Jr. Member
Posts: 36

Re: How does someone choose meaningful repertoire?

Reply #3 on: September 11, 2020, 01:08:09 AM

Quote from: cheeriosok on July 01, 2020, 06:53:04 PM

Hello, I have been without a teacher for about a year now and my progress has stagnated since then, I am currently 'suffering' from the paradox of choice with regards to selecting repertoire- (The paradox of choice: an observation that having many options to choose from, rather than making people happy and ensuring they get what they want, can cause them stress and problematize decision-making.)

On one hand, we should select repertoire that we love (encourages practice) but also we should be practical and methodically choose repertoire that will target our problem areas. I can currently think of at least 100 works of repertoire that I enjoy to listen to and would undoubtedly improve my playing, but I am having troubles with making the decision of selecting the "right" one. I have switched rep at least a dozen times now. How do you all make the right decision that you can confidently stick to?

In addition, I have had some instructors encourage me to take on challenging pieces (Beethoven Op. 2 No. 3 or Grieg Piano Sonata) and others that recommend short-easy pieces (Schumann Kinderszenen) that will improve my sight-reading and ability to 'learn' repertoire (I have learned about ~ 10 pieces in my 5-year piano career), I would appreciate any advice!

I just want to point out that the Schumann Kinderszenen is not at all "short-easy"! It is not flashy or virtuosic but holds so many musical and voicing challenges that they are actually a nightmare to perfect.

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keystosuccess

PS Silver Member
Newbie
Posts: 12

Re: How does someone choose meaningful repertoire?

Reply #4 on: October 02, 2020, 10:27:49 AM

I would add that the most important thing is to stick to a piece and just play regularly. And if you enjoy a piece, you are much more likely to come back to it. In my experience it does not matter as much if that piece is (for now) not compatible with your skill. My cousin for example decided one day that he was going to learn Mozart's Turkish marsh when he had lessons for only a year or two. He'd start with the easier parts, perfected them and after a while he could play the whole thing blindfolded. It took him probably at least a year, but that difficult piece helped him advance.

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