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NEWBIE here...

I'm working on learning Etude in C by Anton Diabelli (from RCM Level 1 etudes 2015). This is my first concerted effort at Alberti base. I'm on day 4 or 5 of intensive work and very slowly it's coming along where I can let the left hand do it's thing and concentrate on the right hand (which is only 2 notes per measure but it's the melody). (Cursing the analytical part of my brain...)

I also have the ABRSM Level 1 exam book from 2019-2020. The first piece in it is Theme by Thomas Attwood (From Theme and Variations, Sonatina No 4 in D) it's alberti base almost throughout the piece.

Here's my question - Should I try to learn both at the same time since Alberti bass is new and I'm struggling with it, or do I get comfortable with the Etude in C and then circle back around to the Theme piece? There are lots of other pieces in these books to play so I have choices.

Thank you for your input.

When learning a new technique, variety is key.

That's because you're going to be applying that technique in many more pieces to come in your undoubtedly long playing career, so whether it is Alberti bass (mostly confined to the Classical era) or staccato technique or legato pedalling (much more widely used), you want to apply it to (and/or use it with) a wide range of different pieces so that the technique itself is cemented, rather than the piece you learnt it with.

Which is a roundabout way of saying that you should be learning more than one piece that uses the same technique, to make the learning process more effective. And to cement it even more into long-term muscle memory, continue learning new pieces that use it until it becomes second nature, and then some.....

Thank you. Makes sense. I've decided to start a different piece ( these are only one page scores) but also practice the Alberti base parts of the Attwood piece in preparation to go to it as the next piece. I'm afraid I'll get burned out working nearly non-stop on the Alberti bass without playing something else that gives me a "win" when I can play it.