How do I proceed after the Beyer?

A bit reductive to put it in these terms from a pedagogical standpoint, but let's say: Czerny: The first piano teacher

I would say to start focusing on some simple pieces by established composers (there are several collections of easy pieces). In the meantime, you can also start with scales and arpeggios since you find difficulty especially in these.

TheSimon wrote:

I would say to start focusing on some simple pieces by composers (there are several collections of easy pieces). In the meantime, you can also start with scales and arpeggios since you find difficulty especially in those.

Hi TheSimon,

thanks for the reply.

I play scales every day before I start reviewing pieces, whereas, as far as arpeggios are concerned, I only play the ones I find in the pieces. Perhaps I should look for some specific text to practice just on arpeggios. Can you recommend something?

As for pieces by composers, there are several collections from which I studied Beethoven's Romance (from Gemme Musicali) and then a simplified version of a few measures of Schubert's Serenade that I found online.

Regarding light music, I am studying the Beatles. Starting from the band's sheet music, I make my own piano arrangement with the help of music notation software, then I determine the fingering and then try to learn it.

Then there are several collections titled “My first...”, I might find something interesting there too.

For example, I was thinking of studying Chopin's Prelude in E minor Op.28 No.4 (I haven't started it yet) which seems quite simple to me. I would also like to learn Für Elise, which perhaps is too challenging for me, but I can look for a version that is more within my reach.

What do you recommend?

In general, I manage to learn pieces that are quite difficult for me, but the greatest difficulty I encounter is maintaining the memory of what I learn. I practice every day for at least two and a half hours (also helping myself with a metronome), however, it often happens that I have to repeat a piece (already learned) several times to manage to play it without mistakes. Sometimes it's frustrating..., but in the end, I manage to play it reasonably well.

Thanks,

bye

Marta23 wrote:

A bit reductive to put it in these terms from a pedagogical standpoint, but let's say: Czerny: The first piano teacher

Hi Marta23,

thanks for the reply.

Ok for Czerny ….

But exactly what?

The Czerny starts from zero, so I would exclude it, or I could study it from a specific exercise that constitutes a continuation of Beyer. I don't have the Czerny, but online I found Op 139, 299, 599 and 740. Tutorials for all of these can also be found on YouTube. Then there are others too.

What do you recommend?

Thanks,

bye

Question: but isn't there anyone following you?

I can recommend all the books you want here and we can talk about them until 2017, but without a figure following you, the discussion exhausts itself spontaneously.

You know that it is impossible to train a student via a forum? Here, of course, we can certainly discuss certain things, but especially in the initial stages, it is important to be followed by a Master; otherwise, you risk hurting yourself, even physically speaking (tendinitis, muscle pain in the arms and back).

I specify this because I wouldn't want that, as in other forums, the message that we give online lessons is also passed here... Which is impossible, as well as stupid!

Anyway, after Beyer, you must start with Hanon. For scales, go with Silvestri. In the first course, there are all the scales for parallel motion, contrary motion, thirds, and sixths. In the second course, you find those for double thirds and double sixths, but for the moment there is absolutely no necessity for you to buy it. Scales for double thirds and double sixths are studied in the eighth year. For arpeggios, you can also take whatever you want: either Cesi - Method for piano study III Course (the one on arpeggios) or Mannino. In any case, for arpeggios, I have never needed a book. Study them both with turns and without for straight and contrary motion.

As a piano anthology, you can take Cesi-Marciano. There are collections by various authors (AAVV).

Salvatore71 wrote:

Generally, I am able to learn pieces that are quite difficult for me, but the greatest difficulty I encounter is maintaining the memory of what I learn. I practice every day for at least two and a half hours (also helping myself with a metronome), however, it often happens that I have to repeat a piece (already learned) several times to manage to play it without errors. Sometimes it's frustrating... , but in the end, I manage to play it reasonably well.

Dear Salvatore71

as you say "Sometimes it's frustrating... , but in the end, I manage to play it reasonably well".

Ok, but look, this is what happens to many during their first approaches to an instrument. The exact same thing used to happen to me.

As far as the idea of turning to collections like My First... etc. is concerned, I would advise you to dedicate yourself primarily (in fact: exclusively) to Bach and Schumann. They are the only two authors who had the kindness to compose pieces for "beginners at the start" but which contain within them the same spark of beauty as their greatest masterpieces.

the Chopin prelude that you cited seems very difficult for me to play well (aside from the easy reading)

I also recommend:

1) as Simon said, it is important to be guided by a teacher. Especially at the beginning.

2) get yourself Schumann's Album for the Young (the pieces are conceived with progressive difficulty).

3) forget about simplified versions of Für Elise. Wait until you are at its level. It won't be long.

4) if you haven't already done so, study the Prelude in C major from the first book of The Well-Tempered Clavier.

Compliments on all your hard work

Salvatore71 wrote:

What do you recommend to me?

If you are doing Beyer, you are at a preparatory level, probably still around 0. I'll repeat: Czerny: The first piano master... obviously all the interpretations indicated by TheSimon are precious

http://www.libreriamusicale.com/product_info.php?products_id=14146#product_info.php?products_id=14146&_suid=1452672110484037935235265292666

As is evident from other posts, I wouldn't phrase it like this: "After the Beyer". I am writing this because the Beyer only covers one part (the studies) of what a pianist (at any level) should tackle to grow.

You are missing at least technique, repertoire, and care for the improvisational sphere.

For technique, Hanon, scales, arpeggios... were mentioned; I would pair them with a specific method like Mozzati. Owning and reading a book like "The Pianist's Manual" by Gyorgy Sandor at a very low price here never hurts. On the contrary!

For repertoire, many booklets were mentioned, to which I would also add "Easy Pieces for Piano from the 17th and 18th Centuries" by "Violeta Hemsy de Gainza," published in two volumes. The pieces are arranged in progressive order of difficulty and, besides being very lovely (all original works), they are also pedagogically suited to an improvisational approach. It also contains notions of formal analysis and the pieces are categorized, thanks to indices, not only by their formal aspect but also under other aspects (e.g., whether or not they contain modulations, etc.).

For the first studies, you can continue with the already indicated collections by Czerny, but there is also Heller, the dreadful Pozzoli (little can be saved musically speaking), and other collections.

To grow more rapidly, I wouldn't miss out on four-hand piano playing, but the fundamental thing is to be supervised to avoid adopting wrong postures that will become an insurmountable limit. Learning poorly is worse than not knowing at all.

Salvatore, don't be frightened if everyone is telling you about different books. They are all entry-level books and they are all fine; choose one from those you like most in the piano anthology and a couple for technique; it is also very good if you start with Bach. Here, the essential thing is that you are followed by someone, especially in these initial "setup" phases.

Good evening,

I would like to clarify that I studied as a child for two years with a teacher who provided me with the basics and the foundation, then I left the piano and picked it up again almost two years ago. I am now 44 years old, yet while studying Beyer, I remembered everything my teacher told me.

I would like to thank everyone for the precious advice, which I am carefully evaluating.

Frank wrote:

You are still missing at least the technique, the repertoire, and care for the improvisational sphere.

Hi Frank,

what do you mean by improvisational sphere?

LucaCavaliere wrote:

Dear Salvatore71

as you say «Sometimes it's frustrating… , but in the end I manage to play it okay».

Ok, but look, this is what happens to many during their first approaches to an instrument. The exact same thing used to happen to me as it does to you.

Hi LucaCavaliere,

may I know what your journey was like?

Salvatore71 wrote:

what do you mean by improvisational sphere?

The ability to know how to improvise, an attitude that performers had to rediscover after a century of oblivion.