Learning Really Difficult Parts

An active accompanist is given a great variety of music to work with. Of course, there are the pieces you've played many times. When a soloist asks for these, it is easily to "brush them up" in a rehearsal time or two and you're ready to play. I'm continually learning new repertoire and I enjoy the challenge of this. Many accompaniments are easy to learn--some can be sightread with ease. Occasionally, there are those that set you back. A sonata by Brahms requires some significant preparation, but again, these are playable for the most part and with a little work, you're there. Then there are pieces like Hindemith's cycle of sonatas. How does a pianist learn pieces like these that are demanding, unpredictable, and very technical? How do you learn a piece when there are not recognizable patterns, melodies, or harmonies?

1. Start with good practice techniques. Read other articles in the practice category on good practice techniques. Playing Hindemith begins with careful slow reading of notes. Read very small passages or phrases. Perhaps one line or even just a couple measures.
2. Learn the notes hands-alone, but get hands together as soon as possible even if it is at a dreadfully slow rate of tempo. 
3. Play the harmonies firmly so you can begin to get the sound in your ear. 
4. Look for patterns or phrases. They won't be traditional or predictable, but there are musical melodies that begin to be recognizable. Also look for rhythmic or harmonic patterns. They are there, just not always easy to find.
5. Memorize. You will probably perform this with music, so we are memorizing for a different reason: That is to enable you to not have to focus so intently on reading. Sometimes I go two or three pages without really reading. The music is there to be safe, but I just don't have the time and coordination to be reading and doing something so technical.
6. Listen to recordings. It is so easy to read a note incorrectly. Compare what you are gradually memorizing to what you hear on the recordings. We're not using the recording as a crutch to avoid music reading, but as a tool to help us be accurate throughout.

Difficult piano parts can be frustrating or a joy. Let them be a joy and enjoy the rich harmonies, rhythms and unique melodies that make up these pieces.