What advice would you give your beginner-self?
Be kind! 馃槃
Slow down, don't rush.
I didn't want to raise a hornet's nest here and didn't mean to say anything offensive to Maria. I completely agree that practice has to be super slow. My note above summarizes a beginner's perspective on what works to have some improvement. Can categorically state that musical piano playing is an extremely difficult endeavor and it will most likely take 6-7 years! of playing to get even remotely musical but that should not deter one from playing without any expectation.
Having an expectation of reaching performance level of a university master's level student where they have to play a whole concerto in front of an audience of professors! is probably an ill advised goal.
I'm not sure why stating ones opinions here could ever be offensive? It is simply an exchange of ideas and I welcome your thoughts and feedback whether you agree or not.
Honestly, the reason I said anything as I really wondered why you were more focused on speed than musicality? Who taught you that the end goal is the concert hall? Who taught you that you won't get there unless you meet some sort of speed target? Who taught you that this small circle of experts who are in elevated positions hold the keys to your success or not?
These aren't questions without an answer. I had to ask and answer each one and more to fully understand why I thought the way I did.
And all these questions are not directed at you. In all cases, I am referring to myself of questions I would ask or just generally an open ended question to anyone who might be interested.
I didn't know about this thread from three years ago but I know that how I would answer this question today and how I would have answered it three years ago or ten years ago or 25 years ago would be completely different. This makes me glad in some respects because I can now, through experience, see most of the folly of what I was led to believe in the past.
Yes, I could come up with many practical things like doing something more or less of something else. All very pertinent and practical. But today, I would say none of this matters much if you don't first answer the question about why you even play an instrument today and go from there. If I manage to find some time, I will talk more about the things I would tell my younger, beginner self, and answer this question.
reading your thoughts convinces me that our reference frames are completely different. Me ( beginner) you ( super advanced). Topics for a beginner (like correctness of notes, correct rhythm, slow tempo(1/3 or less than actual tempo) are largely assumed in your reference frame. In your reference frame ( I suppose Maria falls into this as well) it is more about musicality ( interpretation, artistry and other higher order concepts) which are all necessary. Finally you may have even reached the transcendental level- where you ask who is the audience and more philosophical questions like - is any audience even necessary other than the performer, but I am very very far from these levels. :-).
My comments were rather of the mundane type like - are we reading notes right, hands separate, hands together?, what can allow for microscopic speed ups - if any are possible? are we able to play a certain piece or should we skip it altogether since we don't have the capabilities to play it etc. and in answering those some methods may help us move forward without loosing many years.
I was saying both that I used to play too quickly and neglected to do enough slow practice and that now I see the importance of slow practice more, and that as a general matter, rushing and playing as fast as humanly possible are not good things. Neither of you misinterpreted what I said.
yes I am completely guilty of rushing around like the "proverbial headless chicken " lol!. Now the small pieces I practice are exactly that - very very slow , sometimes just 1 bar or 1/2 bar - 4 notes - and it is working a bit better. :-)
My advice would be to approach piano and music with as much simplicity and humility as possible, and to avoid conflating ideas unnecessarily.
Simplicity is key! the humility that results from playing is almost guranteed and automatic. Just take a look at page of a Chopin etude and the required humility will be instantaneous. It is so so difficult! lol! ..