How long have you been playing?  Also, I think it depends on how you learn a piece.  I usually memorize the piece(s) or suite/sonata ASAP then work on the dynamics, color and technique.  By memorizing it, I know the notes and the fingereing, but not the music necassarily, which is where the color, interpretation etc. come in. 

 

There are other ways of course like going measure by measure or phrase by phrase or parts like measures 1-12 first then 13-14 etc.  You need to find what way worls for you becasue not everyone learns the same.  Don't worry about playing it as fast as Williams, besides, he isn't as fast as Parkening on it.  Of course I don't think Parkening did the whole suite.  Can you play through the entire piece from the sheet music?  There is a definite difference between learning a piece and just running through it from the sheet music but it can be very helpful.  Or have you ever hand written the piece, just copied it note per note by hand.  That can be fun and quite educational. 

 

I was recently learning first Cello suite and after running through it for a couple of months on and off,  and without trying to memorize, I can play a large part of it without looking at my book.  The funny part with learning suites, sonatas etc. is when you get the different sections within the movements mixed up.  I always give mysef a good chuckle.  My two cents 

 

Good luck. 

 

neil

(playing since 1988)

Tommie Boy <Dauphinplayer@...> wrote: