How To Choose The Right Piano Repertoire
There is one dilemma that every student has to encounter at some point, regardless of their level of experience: what music should you play? Whether you are organising a concert or planning the next pieces to learn, choosing a piano repertoire can be quite a complicated task. On one hand, you wish to challenge yourself as that is the best way to progress in your practice. On the other hand, you don’t want to risk picking a piece that is too complicated for your level and spend weeks struggling with it.
So, what is the secret to choosing the right piano repertoire?
Get to know the pieces
This might sound obvious, but sometimes we might pick a piece to play purely based on instinct or the fact that it seems fun to play. However, it’s important to first really listen to the music and understand whether it is within our abilities or if it is at a level too advanced for our current piano skills. Remember that not choosing a piece for your piano repertoire right now doesn’t mean that you will never be able to include it in your future piano repertoire.
Choose based on what you need to learn next
Of course, while we talk about pieces that are within your abilities, it’s also important to find something to play that will challenge you. A good starting point would be to look at pieces that will specifically help you learn a certain aspect of piano playing, for example trying to learn a piece that has a faster pace than what you are used to.
Keep things fun and varied
Here’s the main secret to finding a piano repertoire that you enjoy: choose fun pieces from different genres! Don’t limit yourself to only playing one genre, and feel free to go beyond classical music by exploring more contemporary choices. Keep things varied and make sure to include pieces that you either find fun to play or think would be fun to learn. Ultimately, you should remember that your piano repertoire should be tailored to you, it doesn’t have to include overly complicated pieces you hate just for the sake of trying to impress.
Don’t forget to practice the pieces you know
As you excitedly choose the new pieces to learn and to include in your piano repertoire, don’t forget about the ones that are already there. Of course, it’s normal to outgrow a few as you progress in your piano practice, but if there are some that you really enjoy and have mastered, keep on playing them. This will be useful whenever you have to perform, as you’ll be guaranteed to have a few pieces you feel especially confident in playing.
In summary, keep your current piano level in mind when you’re looking for the pieces to include in your piano repertoire, but don’t forget to keep it fun and varied! Most of all, don’t be afraid to ask your teacher for help, and feel free to swap pieces around until you feel like you’ve hit the right balance of fun and challenging.
