Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner Conflict of priorities in terms of musical development

Over the past 8 months I've been wanting to accumulate as many pieces in my repertoire as possible, including the ambitious pieces such as the Black Key Etude, some of the more well known Mozart Sonatas, and others. However, I will do so at the cost of just learning it until I've completely memorized it. Many of the earlier pieces in my repertoire have been neglected. My ultimate goal is to improve finger dexterity, not necessarily add new pieces to my repertoire, though it is a certainly attractive option that may have deterred me from the above goal.
As far as improving finger dexterity, is it advisable to feverishly go on adding pieces OR work with what I already have?

in other words, should I know my limits? if so, how do I know my limits?

I'm not sure I understand your goal of "improving finger dexterity," or why it would conflict with adding pieces to your repertoire, or how an understanding of your limits relates to the issue.

I don't consider finger dexterity per se to be a technique, but rather as part of a basic skill set that also includes control, coordination, evenness, stamina, etc. I would think that they are naturally fundamental to all you do at the piano, whether it's learning repertoire or warming up with Hanon or Czerny.

Of course, the balance of those elements differs in different musical tasks. To the extent that you have control over the music you're adding to your repertoire, why not just try to include pieces (like, per your example, Chopin's "Black Key" etude) that will also challenge the techniques you want to improve upon?

Steven

What, then, is your ultimate goal? Not to learn new pieces, but to learn as many new pieces as possible until you've memorized them?
... deterred you from which "above" goal; adding new pieces or developing finger dexterity?

I have no idea what you are asking. Could you clarify?

Why don't you devote some of your practice time to working on technique (scales, arpeggios, technical exercises and technical pieces), as well as working on pieces that will help affirm your technique or show you what aspects of technique you need to continue to work on?

Regards,

You say many of the earlier pieces in your repertoire are neglected.
Instead of overburdening yourself why not refresh and polish some of these pieces.
I suspect you might be better off to consolidate fully what you have before striking out to newer pastures.

Just try dividing your practice time and devote a little time to resurrecting the old pieces. IMO practicing new, old, etc is going to improve your dexterity anyway.