Practising routine

[robert]

Perhaps this topic has been discussed a number of times but I could not find specific discussions regarding this issue.

Introducing myself. I am an amateur hobby pianist with a former more or less professional music career which I ended about 10 years ago to make room for a career as a computer security engineer.

I have today, or rather some time ago, began to give piano lessons to a couple of children I have met through my children. More or less informal and only to children I do think have some kind of special gift.
In Sweden, most children must wait until they can make use of the music school that is combined with the normal school at the age of 9. Most children begins to play flute and some goes on with another instrument as the piano after a year or so. What I try to do is to introduce the instrument in a much earlier age, such as 5-6-7 years as according to my experience, 10-11 years is a rather late age if you aim to become a pianist.

I of course understand how important the teaching of a beginner is and but for my experience, I have read several very interesting books about piano teaching and pay much attention for my students to achieve the correct technique.

So finally, to my issue which is about practise routine.
According to my experience with the musical school, teachers tend to forget helping students to find a decent practise routine which I understand as a grown up is essential to achieve results. There cannot be one routine that fits all but I have come the following conclusions that I believe are "student neutral":

- Before practising, make sure you have eaten and feel relaxed. Not rushed or tired. Perhaps begin watch an inspiring piano concert on DVD or listen on music.
- Always begin with the piece you are learning. The reason is that your brain is not tired which it defintely becomes after an hour of scales. Perhaps 15 minutes warm-up can help the hands and fingers to work properly but not more.
- When starting a new piece, begin with reading the score, or slowly play the score and identify the difficult passages. Then begin practising these passages first before playing the piece as a whole.
- Begin play the difficult passages hands separated as two hands will make the memorization process longer and it will take longer time to get it into speed. Also, never use pedal when a new passage is learnt. Playing without makes your technique better.
- Never study a piece more than 0,5 - 1 hour (even a limit of 15 minutes is enough for a 6-7 years old). When this is done, alternate with technique exercises which lets your brain rest more (however, stay focused).
- Take many short breaks and pauses. As often as every 15 or 30 minutes. This helps the memorization process.
- Never end your practise with playing as fast as possible or even faster than you actually can. Instead, play slowly and check details a last time. This at least helps me in the memorization process.

While the above might sounds very obvious, my experience is that the majority of students do all the steps above wrong. They begin with scales until they are physically tired, takes no breaks, always play from the beginning with both hands and perhaps tries a couple of time on the difficult passages and end with playing it as fast as possible as it was some kind of workout session.
What do you think?

[BoliverAllmon]

I feel that that is a very good routine. I also find that more and more people just don't know how to practice at all.

boliver

[nomis]

Look at this post Robert: http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3039.msg26535.html#msg26535

It was quite an eye opener when I first saw it, but I found it a very effective practise method. It keeps practise interesting and non-linear, and I can practise for quite a while without becoming bored or frustrated!

[robert]

The topic definitely has many valid points and shares important information how to study a particular composition. The part about always beeing able to perfect a particular passage at every practise session especially caught my attention. I have not thought of this to be of such importance.
The post still leaves out how to tackle a work and how to work on a passage in detail. I think it suggests two hands practise while I am not sure as a learnt passage can also be for only one hand at one session, other hand next session and both hands at the third.

[bernhard]

The post still leaves out how to tackle a work and how to work on a passage in detail.

he he , that was just the tip of the iceberg. Have a look here as well :


http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1759.msg13695.html#msg13695
(Practise drive – the athletic/physical enjoyment of playing).

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1825.msg13858.html#msg13858
(Accommodating practice times –  10 minute sessions – some mention on mental practice)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1844.msg13949.html#msg13949
(Overpractising – stop at the last perfect rendition).

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1867.msg14268.html#msg14268
(Getting technique from pieces – several important tricks: hand memory, dropping notes, repeated note-groups)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1651.msg14344.html#msg14344
(How to gain hand independence – dropping notes)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1894.msg14707.html#msg14707
(mental practice – Glenn Gould interview)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2053.msg16886.html#msg16886
(How should an adult beginner practice? Chang and practice spot)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2061.msg17178.html#msg17178
(how to deal with boredom)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2082.msg17230.html#msg17230
(how to concentrate).

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2097.msg17480.html#msg17480
(imitating pianists)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2075.msg17593.html#msg17593
(silent practice and its advantages – Good post by faulty damper about unenthusiastic parents)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2173.msg18976.html#msg18976
(dropping notes by comparing it with batting head/rubbing tummy)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2241.msg19043.html#msg19043
(short attention span)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2255.msg19129.html#msg19129
(practising long pieces – Good discussion if one should or should not listen to CDs - Slow motion practice, comparison with walking/running)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2298.msg19672.html#msg19672
(Practice environment – the Virgil Clavier)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2355.msg20277.html#msg20277
(common mistakes made by students)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2265.msg20306.html#msg20306
(How much practice a day? – two zen stories).

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2368.msg20470.html#msg20470
(Virgil clavier & silent practice – Ted gives some good information.)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2429.msg21061.html#msg21061
(Technical studies x pieces –  the genesis of Studies and how Czerny derived his exercises from Beethoven sonatas - why scales are useless and at the same time essential – Chopin x Kalkbrenner story – Unorthodox fingering for scales).

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2411.msg21202.html#msg21202
(Alkan op. 39 no. 4 – outlining as the best strategy to deal with this piece).

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2449.msg21204.html#msg21204
(repeated note-groups as a way to tackle Czerny op. 740 no. 2)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2458.msg21365.html#msg21365
(Mental practice – tips for fingering)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2485.msg21499.html#msg21499
(How to keep a piece in the repertory – learn/forget/relearn)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2526.msg21829.html#msg21829
(how to organise piano practise in short/medium/long term – Principle of memory retention – Principle of 15 minute sessions – stopping when you achieve your goals. Teachers should teach how to learn)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2599.msg22431.html#msg22431
(How long does it all take? – self-taught students, the cake analogy, criticism of ABRSM for expecting people to reach grade 8 in 10 years, learning is not gradual - comparison to reading, different ways of learning, how to learn to drive a car, the dispersive method of teaching, and a 15 list to “disperse” learning).

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2615.msg22522.html#msg22522
(Piece analysis – delay going to the piano and spend most time analysing – Comparison with the process of film making)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2611.msg22637.html#msg22637
(Slow practice – Glenn Gould’s finger tapping)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2720.msg23353.html#msg23353
(How to practice aim and accuracy – looking at the LH and giving verbal instructions to the RH – Full discussion on left and right brain).

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2802.msg24467.html#msg24467
(When to join hands)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2864.msg25252.html#msg25252
(how everyone in the forum practises – the scientific method to decide what practice routine is good and which is not. Comments on Chang book)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2916.msg25572.html#msg25572
(Bad habits when playing/practising)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3002.msg26246.html#msg26246
(When to use the metronome)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3064.msg26866.html#msg26866
(Repeated note-groups applied to Gottschalk)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3085.msg27140.html#msg27140
(Hands together: when and how – dropping notes)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3371.msg30141.html#msg30141
(zoom-zoom – all about speed playing)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3625.msg32673.html#msg32673
(PPI – comparison with body building – brief mention of movement and intellectual centre – comparison with babies walking and coma patients- muscle tension and nerve inhibition – how to investigate and test practice ideas – How to teach by using progressively difficult repertory)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3833.msg34775.html#msg34775
(analysing pieces)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3778.msg35061.html#msg35061
(Speed: discussion about gradually speeding up with a metronome or using Chang’s approach)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4105.msg37603.html#msg37603
(Does age and practice time matter? Summaries of the 7 x 20 approach – averages and standard deviations are given for the several numbers – need for a practice diary – how to deal with mastering something and forgetting it next day – what exactly is mastery – the 3 stages of mastery)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4123.msg37829.html#msg37829
(several ideas are re-explained and reinforced in this thread – How to investigate the best movement pattern: Example Scarlatti sonata K70 – How to work out the best fingering. Example: CPE Bach Allegro in A – Slow x slow motion practice – HS x HT – practising for only 5 – 10 minutes)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4168.msg38569.html#msg38569
(Keeping pieces polished – learn/forget/relearn)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4244.msg39203.html#msg39203
(How long to practice – having an aim, achieving it and moving on – How to define aim)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4322.msg40260.html#msg40260
(mental practice)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4429.msg41217.html#msg41217
(differences between practice and performance)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3085.msg44855.html#msg44855
(Hands together – dropping notes – when to learn HT and when to learn HS)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4954.msg46883.html#msg46883
(mental practice)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4851.msg47341.html#msg47341
(Practising for speed – Example: Beethoven Op. 49 no. 2)


http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5083.msg48306.html#msg48306
(More questions on fast speed practice – the eldorado analogy - collection of links)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5453.msg53807.html#msg53807
(3 most important practice tricks)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5555.msg53811.html#msg53811
(how long do you practice? It depends on what is meant by practice)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5572.msg53918.html#msg53918
(how to deal with slips - concentrate on the music, not on the score – analogy with actors and lines on a script)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5701.msg55639.html#msg55639
(3 principles of super efficient/fast learning)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5756.msg56146.html#msg56146
(Talent – Attention to detail – example of scale in clusters and how the overlooked aim is to prepare fingers.)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3561.msg31700.html#msg31700
(Questions about about the 7 X 20 principle, how do you know when you mastered a section, when to use the methods, and when they are not necessary – investigating the reasons for difficult)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4689.msg44184.html#msg44184
(20 minutes – practice starts when you get it right – definition of mastery : learned – mastered – omniscience – Aim for easy – final speed in practice must be faster than performance speed – Example: Chopin Op. 10 no. 2 – outline – repeated note groups – HS x HT)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4710.msg44538.html#msg44538
(7 x 20 minutes – Progress is the ultimate decider – How to break a piece in practice sessions – Example: Satie gymnopedie – importance of planning – aim at 100 pieces per year – Example: Bach Cm WTC 2 -)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4750.msg45125.html#msg45125
(more details: learned – mastered –omniscience – why repertory must be paramount – how to work on 20 pieces per month – a case for easy repertory – importance of discipline and of having a plan – analogy of mastering a piece and making wine – musicality is ultimately good taste – Example: Beethoven op. 49 no. 2- A list of progressive repertory to lead to Rach prelude op. 32 no. 5 – mastery is when it is easy)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4797.msg45744.html#msg45744
(No skilled steps – the usual places where students go wrong – Ht x HS)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4858.msg46087.html#msg46087
(Paul’s report - HS x HT – Example: Lecuona’s malaguena – 7x20 – need to adjust and adapt – repeated note-groups – importance of HS – hand memory – 7 items only in consciousness – playing in automatic pilot - )

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5177.msg49229.html#msg49229
(more on 7x20 – what it means to master a passage)

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5298.msg50376.html#msg50376
(alternative to the chord trick – Rhythm variations  - repeated note-groups – starting with the difficult bars – how to break down a piece in sessions – ways to tackle speed that do not involve the chord trick)


Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[steinwayguy]

That's kind of ridiculous, Bernhard... 



Thanks, though 

[robert]

Haha!

I'll browse through it ;-).

[bwv]

he he , that was just the tip of the iceberg. Have a look here as well :


http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1759.msg13695.html#msg13695
(Practise drive – the athletic/physical enjoyment of playing).

{...}

<snip>

Bernhard,

You should seriously consider formatting all this wisdom in book form and publish it, I know lots of people who would be interested.

Excellent work, thank you!