It might. If the instrument you play now is uneven, out of tune, and has missing notes, joy will be dampened. Chopin is reported to have said, “play the best instrument you can when learning.”
Here are other thoughts on staying in the game:
These are problems all musicians/students must deal with from time to time or in these times. David
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If I can help you, let's chat. Best, David Students often believe that I must have started early in life with lots of natural talent. Let me clear this up.
I am proof practice works.
I made it into Berklee with 4 years of piano under my belt, but it included 2 years of professional gigging in rock and country bands in the North Bay region. A lot of gigs. Plus, my basement jazz band. That made the difference I figure. But who knows, recordings do not exist. I got through Berklee as a composition major. I thought about being a performance major, but that required serious practice. Something I was not interested in. But I continued playing gigs during those years. A lot of gigs. Some exciting gigs. I was a busy journeyman. I could sight-read just about anything. I showed up on time ready to play. I was pleasant to be around. Where did that put me in the Berklee pecking order? Turns out near the top. I made it one year to the number 2 band. So, when did I learn to practice? Age 42! Signed up for my Grade 10 exam. My very first piano exam ever. I couldn't fake it. I had to play it. I put a couple of thousand hours of focused practice in. I read every book I could find on how to practice. How many books? Chapters bookstore sent me Christmas present. That is how many.
David 1. Try to finish level 6 theory, it will really help us to communicate as musicians and build your understanding of the music you play. 2. Summer is a good time to explore music history. A good introduction for classical piano students is found on Audible.ca https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/the-23-greatest-solo-piano-works.html check www.audible.com I found it there for a really fair price. 3. YouTube score watching; paying attention to one element at a time: articulations , dynamics, tempo 4. General piano skills
David How many hobbies can one-person juggle?
Depends. I juggle one. I had two, but Covid19 put an end to that. I’ve students who try to juggle 3 or more while holding down jobs, spouses, children, and life. They often looked stressed. How do my less stressed students do it? Here are some tactics they follow:
Do you remember why you were attracted to piano in the first place? Put up a post it note on the piano to keep it front of mind. Cheers, David
This will pass, David
Have fun, this will pass. David Piano at the benchWhat to practice and why
Finally, be patient, enjoy the process. If I can help, call me. David Practicing in the times of the Covid-19 outbreak is going to be a challenge for some.
Some lucky people will use the extra time to jump right in. For this group I suggest ramping up practice amount slowly to avoid injury. The book, “The Musician’s Way” suggests increasing practice time 10% per week to avoid problems. Warming up before hand with a short cardio and stretching routine will also be beneficial. For those too stressed to practice and/or focus try these tips:
Good luck, David Composer Igor Stravinsky said something to the effect of: we find inspiration through work, not the other way around. Amateurs wait for inspiration to work; professionals get to work knowing inspiration will follow. Good advice when sitting in the practice room waiting for the muse to strike before beginning. David For my amateur students I hope they find joy in practicing.
For my ambitious students that they maintain their joy in their Olympic level commitment. A happy student knows which camp they belong to. Happy New Year, David
David Revised August 2022 Keeping a hobby, a hobby can be an issue. Students, like athletes can easily burnout if they don't monitor their current activity with their original motivation for taking lessons. Adults can be especially vulnerable to this problem. Trying to catch up for lost time they often over practice, which over time leads to exhaustion and/or injury. Learning piano is a journey that lasts a lifetime. Focus on the process, not the destination is often quoted in the success literature. I concur.
Best, David Story
Many people want to play the piano. A few people must play the piano. The many are vague, the committed are focused. A committed student says things like, “I want to pick up where I left off 30 years ago and finish my grade 8 piano, can you help me?” Or, “I want to play piano duets with my children, or grandchildren to support them in their piano studies? Or, “I want to play in a band”. Or, “I’m deeply in love with Beethoven’s op. 1. I played level 10 in my youth. Now, life has given me the time to get back to it. Please help me get back into shape”. “I love the romance of piano lounge jazz. Can you show me how to improvise like Diana Krall?” The small actionable steps needed to proceed will vary by the student’s background, but the steps will revolve around the following:
Syllabi, such as the Royal Conservatory of music provide, break down the learning process in small actionable steps. Jazz pedagogy does the same. I’ve also created one for recreational players who come to my studio. I will create or direct you to the appropriate syllabi. I look forward to working with you. Best regards, David PS. Click on the picture below to learn more about adult learning. You will be directed the magazine's website. A valuable resourse. What to practice? Hal has some great thoughts. Twelve minutes of wisdom from a modern master. If you are a classical artist, substitute classical sounds for jazz sounds. It's all the same. "art is supposed to teach yourself something about yourself you didn't know" Hal Galper Best. David My go to podcasts. I listen in the car on my way to classes. One reason I bounce through the door on arrival.
David Story What are the keys to playing the piano beautifully?
Some random thoughts.
David Story updated: October 2023 Today I've posted a slightly tongue-in-cheek set of random thoughts on practicing.
Have fun. David revised July 2023 What are the takeaways for students?
David Story revised October 2023 I'm off to Louisville. I expect it will be a great learning experience and hang.
I'm rooming with my former Berklee College of Music professor and adviser Andy Jaffe. I expect to meet other folks from my musical past including Ed Soph, Bobby Shew, and lots of Berklee folks. I will be posting details of the workshops and concerts here over the next couple of days. Drum workshops will be posted on my drum blog. Have a look here: Drum blog Piano inspiration of the week is found here: Pianist magazine. Hundreds of instructional videos on the fine art of classical and jazz piano. Cheers, David Story http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/economics/cameron/success.html A sampling... The "A" Student - An Outstanding Student
I can’t motivate anyone. But I can inspire! Motivation is the idea I can make someone like something they don’t. I can’t. Inspiration on the other hand is the heart of education. An inspired learner is the joy of our profession. Stay inspired!
As a drum student I watch YouTube video lessons each day. I read books and magazines on drumming. I play with others who play at my level, I practice, I take lessons, I have goals. You get the picture. Cheers, David There are many ways to think about our musical development. I've produced the following: Level one, student: At level one the student learns to control their hands. i.e. the hands do what they are told. I'm told this takes about 10,000 hours. I believe it. This level is about technique, repertoire, ear training, theory studies, concert going, and practice, practice, practice. It is about following the teachers' directions, and maintaining and nourishing your personal curiosity, patience, and faith in the process. Level two, professional: At level two you have professional hands that do what they are told. At this level you practice maintaining and refining your skills. Level three, artist: At level three you have something interesting to say and the ability to communicate it. Artists blend this elevated level of creativity and skill into dazzling musical displays. How do you become an artist? I don't know. However, I do know you must go through the first two steps to reach level three. Too many folks try to skip all or part of the first two steps in their haste to be "artists." This is misguided, naïve, and foolish. Conclusion? Get off the internet and go back to the practice room! Cheers, David Story January 2023 update Awesome advice. Click on the image or here for the full article. Cheers David I ponder the similarities between this advice and the advice parents receive from athletic coaches. May 2023 "The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So, write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can." Neil Gaiman So many aspiring musical artists are desperately trying to sound like someone else. Furthermore, it takes great courage to sing your own song in public. The other problem is that sometimes the story we sing is not interesting. However, you never know until you give it a go. But remember that musicians we admire really do know what they are doing. So, keep up the music lessons. Cheers, David Story |
You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail. AuthorI'm a professional pianist and music educator in West Toronto Ontario. I'm also a devoted percussionist and drum teacher. Categories
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