How to start a piece, phrase, or passage properly!

Perfect timing for me as I'm beginning to study a Shubert sonata this week, as well as a few dances in Bach's first Partita in B flat. Sadly, I have a conflict at that time :( I'm hoping I will be able to view it afterwards. I've heard it recommended (perhaps it was you Dominic) to begin the memory process early on, but I notice I think I get bogged down with detail and that slow my learning. On the other hand...
It's all in finding the right balance so I'm looking for advice.

thank you!!!

This is great! 
 

I’m studying the Nocturne op.48 no.1 of Chopin. And although I already have the notes and started to play both hands together….

I’m curious on how would you start phrasing or even how would you start studying this piece.

I’m interested in knowing, specially the recapitulation of the theme since… it’s all about the balance and I’m having trouble with it.

Thank you! <3

I played, or rather tried to play, a Scriabin etude (Op 42, No 4) in front of a large masterclass last week. I had prepared it quite thoroughly, although it was not memorized. I got off to a bad start from which I really never recovered, leaving the impression that I couldn't play the piece at all! The professor leading the class was very kind, but this was a humiliating experience that I want to prevent from happening again.

How do you approach a piece that no teacher that you have access to has ever taught, that there is no tutorial or course on it, and all you might have is a MP3 and a barely legible score, and part of it is left to improvisation?

Just watched the recording. This was very interesting, thank you. Many of the mentioned things on how to start learning a piece I use to be doing already because they really work for me. To find them confirmed, and also have some interesting thoughts and aspects added by Dominic is really great!

I will especially keep the note about interleaving practise in mind!