I couldn't agree more.

Without good sightreading skills isn't it hard to maintain a large repertoire in memory? I find that I memorize quickly but then as I'm not "reading" the music, if I don't play the piece regularly, it slips away and it's quite frustrating to spend months on a piece only to discover later on the you practically have to relearn the whole thing...... I'm trying to read along even after I've memorized a piece ..but it's difficult. I practice 2 or 3 hours most days but it's still not enough time to practice all the technical things, polish pieces, learn new pieces, practice sightreading, just play for fun, and keep everything I've learned somewhat fresh. How do people do it?? BTW I'm an adult beginner at a mid-late-intermediate level.

I find that I have the same issues that Sandy has talked about. I too am an adult beginner, and I do memorize a piece after spending months on it. If I then just keep playing from memory, I have a terrible time reading it when my teacher has wanted me to. She has told me that for an adult, I do seem to memorize rather quickly and she has no problem with that. But, she has talked to me about then having to relearn reading it.

Yes, it is hard to do all of that. Many people do not have 2-3 hours a day to practice. Once you have several pieces in your repetoire, well, you'd probably have to spend most of your practice time keeping them fresh! I have come to the conclusion (for me) that I will only spend time memorizing a select few pieces.

I'm going with improving my sightreading skills. I've spent far too much time on some pieces (Moonlight Sonata for example!!! 6 months!!) to have to relearn them. I really would prefer to be able to go back and sightread. There are simply too many beautiful pieces that I wish to be able to play to memorize them all and keep fresh. ....off I go...to practice sightreading...