​What to practice when the teacher is away?

Some folks just have to practice over the holidays. I know I will be. For my students I’ve have the following suggestions.

1. Go to a concert and refill the well of inspiration.
2. Take some time to listen to music like a musician. A good recording can teach us so much. Listen multiple times, each time paying attention to a different element of the performance: Dynamics, articulations, balance, tempi.
3. Revisit technique, playing slowly with a beautiful tone your scales, chords, and arpeggios. Savour the experience.
4. Try sight reading new material to find some new favorites. 
5. Perhaps take some time to review old material and restore them to their former glory. 
6. YouTube piano instruction videos. There is wealth of opportunity to learn a piece by rote. Or learn from other teachers new ideas or approaches. I don’t know everything! They may have a turn of phrase that makes clear something you are wondering about. A good place to start is
   

• https://www.youtube.com/user/PianistMagazine

 
Have a great time, see everyone the week of January 11, 2016
 
David

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