I have been going through many changes over the past few months, so I apologize for not writing in so long. Today is a new year, and although I don’t really believe in making “New Years Resolutions” any more, because it is so difficult to keep them going for a whole year, or even one month, I do feel that it is a good time to re-set priorities and make new plans.
Something that I am planning to do this year, starting today, is to revisit and relearn many of my old pieces that I have played in previous years. It is important to keep up a working repertoire of music that you have polished enough to sit down and play anytime.
Although it can be tedious to stick with a piece until it is performance ready, and then keep playing it after you finally perform it, there are many benefits in doing so. Last night on Great Performances, 28-year-old pianist, Lang Lang performed the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto #1 with the New York Philharmonic. The piece is so difficult that when it was first written it was deemed “unplayable.” Lang Lang first performed this piece at the age of 13, so now, after playing it for 15 years, he plays it effortlessly – he “owns” it.
Pieces that you have learned and then put away can be revived and played again with greater ease, facility, and musical understanding. Plus, additional benefits include: 1) Exercising your memory, and the memory areas of the brain, 2) Pieces that you haven’t played in a long time can serve as good sight-reading opportunities – just approach the piece as if you have never played it before and read it! 3) Performance opportunities are available to you when you are prepared with pieces that you can sit down and play at a moment’s notice, and 4) You will gain a sense of accomplishment from retaining the music you have learned.
So having said that, I am now going to go and practice some of my old pieces and play them! Have a happy and musical New Year!