Piano Goals 2018 Or, "How to Love Practicing"

Goals point us in a particular direction. Process gets us there. Practicing is the process.

​Here are some typical goals I get from students.

1. I want to get my "grade 2" piano.
2. I want to go to jazz camp.
3. I want to play some of my favourite tunes.
4. I want to audition for university.
5. I just want my kids to have fun.
6. I want to pick it up where I left it fifty years ago.
7. I always wanted to play the piano.

​All of these are "cool" goals. Number 5 needs to be unpacked. Is this code for, "my kids are so involved with other activities so, please don't insist that they practice? Piano is only fun if the student succeeds at it. So, practice is part of the deal. Number 3, is cool too, if you are an adult. Modest goals, need only modest amount of practice. Which for some is one hour a week at lessons. I'm ok with this. Please let me know this though at the start and we'll jump in and have some fun.

​How to love practice? First, understand that learning to love practice is what it's all about. Second, aligning your goals with the time available. Third, focusing on the process not the outcome. Fourth, becoming a student of process. Fifth, have patience and faith and get to work.

​Some resourses of note:

1. "The Musician's Way", by Gerald Klickstein, find it on Amazon.ca
2. "With your own two hands", by Seymour Bernstein, find it on Abebooks.com

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Musicians love to practice.
​Amateur musicians love to practice too. 
To be honest, practicing is what it's all about.

Best, 

​David Story