when learning a completely new song what do u do? Play the bass or the melody (right handed bit) first? Also , if anyone reading this is good at improvising can u give me some tips please. Cheers
VERY much appreciated.

Yes, Right hand melody first, then bass.

As for improvising: just let ure ideas run wild...you cant go wrong on improvising. Even if you play the wrong note, just make it like an appoggiatura or something (slide it to the next note in the correct key)

The best thing is to experiment

I automatically pick the right hand, and I just play it straight through a couple of times, then I go through the left just that little bit slower as I find it harder to play with my left hand than my right.

sometimes if its not a really hard piece i try to sight read both hands together, then do the right hand and left hand separatly. did this when my teacher gave me my new grade 5 piece(allegro molto) she said its good sight reading practise so played it for the first time hands together!!

I sometimes find it harder to play left hand than the right

i will start with main melody (reeli depends on which hand)..then follow with the other hand..... finally..put them all together...

always right then left.
i always do that i don't know why.


i have a tip for you all
search Piano on EBAY


My Webpage

there are some OKish pianos there for about £30 - £1000

weird why would people give them up???

Davé

left, then right.

I was taught that way and can't get out of the habit!

I always play pieces with both hand together even La Campanella, Fantasie Impromptu, Chopin's etudes, etc., except sometimes I will do a little separate hand practice for extremely difficult pieces (I can't find any now) or I will do that when I want to know something in the piece.
Even I can't play with the standard tempo, I practise the piece with both hands and gradually I can play the piece at faster and faster tempo.

QUOTE (isabelsmells @ Aug 1 2004, 11:21 AM)

I automatically pick the right hand, and I just play it straight through a couple of times, then I go through the left just that little bit slower as I find it harder to play with my left hand than my right.

i heard somewhere that what your right hand can do so should your left hand be able to....... generally for R.Handed folks the left hand deserves 2 - 3 times the work that it usually gets


by their left hands shall ye know them

QUOTE (grand choeur @ Aug 23 2004, 10:22 PM)

QUOTE (isabelsmells @ Aug 1 2004, 11:21 AM) I automatically pick the right hand, and I just play it straight through a couple of times, then I go through the left just that little bit slower as I find it harder to play with my left hand than my right. i heard somewhere that what your right hand can do so should your left hand be able to....... generally for R.Handed folks the left hand deserves 2 - 3 times the work that it usually gets by their left hands shall ye know them

The idea of the LH being weaker than the RH is what prompted Godowsky to complete his transcriptions of Chopin's Etudes.

He wanted to address the issue of a (naturally?) weak left hand, and started with the g sharp minor study in 3rds. He then systematically extended it to cover the rest of the 2 books.

Pianists can generally get the RH together, but it's the LH which causes the problems. However, I would urge you to check out the Hamelin recording.

He doesn't seem to have ANY problems with EITHER hand!

(Sorry to ramble!)

Mike

QUOTE

generally for R.Handed folks the left hand deserves 2 - 3 times the work that it usually gets

Same for left handed people... RH is still the one that is easier to play.
This seems to follow even when using a method which includes tunes with melody in LH from quite early on.

I like to get an overview if I can (both hands) when I begin something new.
Some things need separate hand practice (Bach) and some don't really.

wasnt there a thread about Hanon - the pros and cons - in view of strengthening weak fingers/hands?

QUOTE

sometimes if its not a really hard piece i try to sight read both hands together, then do the right hand and left hand separatly. did this when my teacher gave me my new grade 5 piece(allegro molto) she said its good sight reading practise so played it for the first time hands together!!

Thats what I did with the same piece! what other two grade 5 pieces are you playing?

Lied and Bossa Nova i think