I was wondering about how many pieces should one learn at a time.
Since some pieces are very lengthy one can get bored playing only one piece.
At the moment I am learning 3 pieces at a time.
1- Mozarts Fantasy in D minor K397
2- Ravel's Pavane pour une infante défunte
3- Tchaikovsky's Barcarolle(summer)

I find it more interesting to play a little of each but I'm thinking if I stuck with one, I would at least complete it. The three are difficult pieces for me so each one is challenging. I usually learn about 8 to 16 bars at a time and then move on. My technique involves learning the bars by memorization before continuing. Thus the reason for the length of time to learn a piece.

Mozart's is almost complete in terms of memorization, but I won't have the second part of the Alegretto for some time(with two hands) and the prestos are just Andantes for now

Ive completed one page of Ravel and will just play the first page and a half probably for some time while I begin Tchaikovsky's Barcarolle.

Does anyone feel that it would be better to continue with Ravel to completion before moving on to Barcarolle or is this a good way to keep variety in my playing.

Even though these pieces are considered difficult for my level I like them so much that I want to learn them anyways aside from the easier pieces I play.

Peter

I think you answered the question yourself.

Ya I know, I like talking to myself.

Pierre

I know exactly what you mean, I had the same dilemma with learning pieces. I think thers no harm in having a few pieces on the go so they dont get too stale.

Interesting question Peter.. It is possible to spread yourself too thin. I've been guilty of that in the past where I flit between a half dozen pieces chosen for a Diploma and I never get to grips with the tricky ones. After spending most of the time playing the ones that are most comfortable, the last week or so before the exam is mostly spent in panic!