Im trying to learn how to play Rachmaninoff prelude in g minor. Any tips on learning it better?

Question

I want tips like, tempo etc.. Just tips on like.... memorizing the chords, because it seems impossible for me to learn it

The only thing im having a little trouble with is accuracy,..

Answer 1

Rachmaninoff is always tough to play, much less memorize. You will definitely have to break it into pieces. Find patterns in the chords and intervals. Look for repeated melodies and/or chord sequences.

Don't listen to the guy who says to just play it over and over. Those are the people who freeze when they have a memory lapse on stage, because they only know how to play it from the beginning to the end. Memorizing in segments enables you to pick up and continue playing wherever you have the memory lapse.

Answer 2

The way to practice memorization is to simply memorize. I'm not a pianist, but am a classically trained flutist. Know your scales and apreggios COLD and be able to play them full range of the piano with both hands. Work on those during your daily practice sessions. Do them in different finger patterns...maybe even the patterns that you're using the Rachmanioff. You should also know how to play the inversions (6 6/4, V 4/3, etc) as well. Write in those chords and fingering patterns if you have to. There's no shame in doing so. It may be of help to use scale and arpeggio methods in addition to working on the Rach. Also, if it helps, study the score while listening to a recording.

Also, take the piece at a slow tempo...faster isn't always better. Play the piece in half time with a metranome to hear mistakes. If you have a super cumbersome spot, take it down even slower so that you can work out the kinks. This takes A LOT of self-control, but it is well worth it in the long run. It's easier to catch and fix mistakes at a slow tempo than it is at a faster one. In addition, it's better to play a piece a bit slower but be clean and musical, rather than being fast and sloppy.

A lot of memorization comes down to how you learn. If you're a tactile learner, you can go with the feel of the piece and piano. If you're a visual learner, practice visualizing the music inyour mind...see the particular notes, rhythms, chords, dynamics etc. If you're an aural learner--pound the music out enough so that you get it in your ear. In general, I'm more of a visual learner, but am a combination of all three with playing and memorizing music. You just have to practice and experiment to see what works best for you.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

when i want to memorize something i play it over, and over, and over. my teacher tells me to break it up into sections and memorize the sections, but i never listen to her. ha! i think playing it over and over will just get your fingers used to it.