Is this piece too hard for me? Let's figure it out with Dominic

Tue Apr 7 at 11 AM - 12 PM PDT

Event by Team

https://app.tonebase.co/piano/live/player/pno-this-piece-too-hard-2026-dominic

We’ve all been there.

You sit down to practice and start wondering…
Did I choose something that’s actually right for me? Or am I just fighting the piece the whole time?

This live session is about answering that question honestly.

We’ll look at what “too hard” really means — not just technically, but musically and mentally. Sometimes a piece feels difficult because it’s pushing you in the right way. Other times, it’s just not the right fit (at least not yet).

I’ll talk through how to tell the difference, what to look for in your own playing, and how to adjust without losing momentum.

You can bring questions about:

A piece you’re currently working on
Something that’s been feeling frustrating or unclear
Or just your own experience of getting stuck

We’ll work through real examples and questions together.

If you’ve ever felt unsure whether to keep going or step back, this is the time to figure it out!

- Noel_Nguyen
- 1 mth ago
- Reported - view
Regarding this topic, one thing to consider is that it probably matters more to (aspiring) pros than to amateurs. I remember when I was a conservatory student, always worrying that a piece would take too long to learn and take away precious time to learn the tons of other pieces to fulfill the requirements of the program. One of my greatest joys as an amateur now, is that I can take all the time I need to learn a piece. This allowed me to finally learn my dream pieces such as Rach Sonata no.2 and Chopin Polonaise-Fantaisie, and more importantly, to learn them thoroughly.
- Kerstin
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  Wow! That’s great. I am on Chopin op. 61 too. I hope I can play it for my friends in 2 month. How much time you have spent on it?
- Noel_Nguyen
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  It took me nearly 2 months to bring it to a performable level! And then I spent nearly a year to make it better. It is really a desert island piece for me. I could spend the rest of my life playing just that and be happy. After all, there is a possibility that Chopin wrote it as a reflection on his own life.
- Kerstin
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  Wow, that’s fast. I am on it since last November. And have still trouble with memorizing and tempo of the last part. But it’s a great piece. And I agree it’s a reflection of somebodys (maybe his) life. If you can play it you are really good. It’s not easy. Congratulation!!! 👍🌟
- Noel_Nguyen
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  Thank you for your encouraging words!
  
  I already like your interpretation better than mine. Interestingly I submitted it to competitions just like I have done for most of the pieces I learned since my return to the piano after the long hiatus, and it is the only piece for which I have not won a 1st prize, despite having spent the most time on it. When I asked for feedback, they said my playing was too masculine for Chopin(!). I do think they were right though. I find my interpretation to be too... meat and potatoes. Here is my recording from that competition (sadly the video part was damaged so I only have audio; I would like to record it again in the future to do better, but I forgot most of it):
- Akzent oder Diminuendo? • Hanon/Herz student
  
  Maria_F
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  Two months is fast! I haven't started working on it yet (I plan to learn it in the future), but it would take me much longer than that!
- Kerstin
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  Wow! Great! And yes, my interpretation is more soft in some parts. But I am still not at the end of working. I was working recently on the first 7 pages with my teacher. To put all these parts together …??? Let’s see. I have recorded it one time, but it’s more a fight through. 😂
- Andrew.13
- 1 mth ago
- Reported - view
Is this piece too difficult for me? (I’m in the striped shirt)

1st recording.

Been working on this concerto since November 2025.

Lots of mistakes (and laughter) 😂
- Pianist, composer and piano teacher
  
  Sindre_Skarelven
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  That was very enjoyable, Andrew! 👏🏻 You got this - not too difficult at all!
- Andrew.13
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  thank you! Glad the slip ups didn’t get in the way 😂
- Unfrozen Barroom Piano Player
  
  Peter_G
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  hey Andrew that’s a more than credible performance. I don’t think that this is beyond your skill level at all. Maybe you haven’t perfected a lot of 2 part inventions in your day, but it sounds like you’ve been doing something right as an alternative! Your teacher obviously recognized that and has thrown you onto the court with the starters (( with apologies for seeing too much of life in terms of basketball metaphors))
- Andrew.13
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  thank you for your kind words!
- Pianist, composer and piano teacher
  
  Sindre_Skarelven
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  I just noticed your earlier post, with a little "bach story". So I have a few comments I would like add.
  In general, I think it's vice to take it "one step at the time", to build the skill correctly, and not be overloaded with to much difficulties at ones. However, at certain times I think a "stretch piece" might be just the thing needed - if it hits the motivation button correctly, and your skill set can grow from it. I think that is the case here, especially when you made a comment such as "I was shocked at how much I underestimated myself".
  Another interesting comment is "There are passages that are frustrating because I sometimes can play it perfectly and sometimes cannot. Do not know why…". This might come down to learning certain practice strategies to strengthen those passages, and I would also recommend some mental practice.
  PS: I stand by my initial response - You got this!
- Kerstin
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  I agree with Sindre. Not to difficult. Let me smile. Thanks!!!
- Akzent oder Diminuendo? • Hanon/Herz student
  
  Maria_F
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  I don't think it is too difficult! You did a great job!
- Andrew.13
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  Thank you for your thoughts! I have realized, even when I was younger, that the piece has to motivate me enough to invest lots of practice time into; often being a stretch or reach piece motivates me but there is also the simple fact that I have to love the piece. I remember my teacher from my younger days was a MTAC teacher and tried to have me follow the teaching program but I rebelled. I do often think that learning “easier” pieces, such as the inventions, would do me much good in terms of technique but I find myself losing interest relatively quickly. Maybe it is a discipline factor I am lacking? All in all, I appreciate your response and considerations!
- Noel_Nguyen
- 1 mth ago
- Reported - view
said:
I had 3 separate people ask me (offline) about Mazeppa after seeing that thread lol

I can't blame them, it is an impressive piece! You may not like this, but from the time you said you'd play that piece, you've been "Ms. Mazeppa" to me😅.
- Akzent oder Diminuendo? • Hanon/Herz student
  
  Maria_F
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  I used to be able to play Mazeppa, but I didn't play it for a while and am out of practice!
- Noel_Nguyen
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  You seem to be a very advanced pianist and I can't wait to hear your first participation in a Tonebase event!
- Akzent oder Diminuendo? • Hanon/Herz student
  
  Maria_F
  
  1 mth ago
  
  Reported - view
  I wouldn't call myself a "very advanced pianist." Mazeppa was the hardest thing I ever played most likely, and I intended to continue to practice it. However, something happened over the spring and summer that resulted in me being out of the house, eventually with a keyboard, for an extended period, and I definitely lost progress to that. I think I have mostly caught up, though.