The elements of musicianship, namely aural skills, musical rudiments (“theory”), and sightreading are often neglected in musical study because students are busy grinding away on their instruments.  However, musicianship skills facilitate the learning of new music and instrumental mastering. Aural skills help the students hear internally what they are reading, rudiments help them see the musical patterns within the composition, and sightreading skills make learning a piece of music much quicker. Therefore, when students spend equal time on musicianship studies, they perform with greater insight, security, and finesse in a shorter amount of time. 
       When musicians perform prepared memorized pieces, they play by ear, even if they learned the piece by reading. The primary elements of aural training are recognizing: intervals, chords, scales, rhythmic and melodic dictation, and playing back short melodies by ear. These aural skills allow the musician to, among other things, connect what they hear with what they are playing, and thus greatly increase the accuracy of their performance. 
       Musicians who understand the structural elements of their pieces and the relationship of these elements to the sound they are making have a firm grasp of musical rudiments because understanding how tonality, rhythm, form, dynamics, and articulations interact in a score will inform the student’s ability to play idiomatically. Furthermore, a student who understands rudiments can make musical sense of the score in a shorter time. 
      Students are always keen on learning a piece quickly and skilled sight readers can do this, whereas unskilled sight readers grind away endlessly to learn their music. Skilled sight readers use their aural skills and strong rudimental knowledge to make sense of the music “on the fly,” allowing them to learn quickly and/or play with others in group settings. 
      Students love to play; they mostly hate to study. They signed up for the fun of making sounds they recognize, so they often must be convinced that the shortest route from A to B is not in grinding, but in mastering these “boring” elements of musicianship: aural skills, musical rudiments, and sightreading.

If I can help you on your musical journey, call me. 

David
This blog was written by a human. 

FYI: Page two contains the diminished 7th chord.

A Royal Conservatory piano student's goal,
Is mastering the art of playing with control.

Begin with scales and arpeggios in hand,
To warm up fingers and help you understand.

Next, pieces chosen with purpose and care,
Played often, so the music's easy to bear.

Technical studies such as Hanon or Czerny,
Can help you play with dexterity so cleanly.

Sight-reading and ear training are quite a treat,
To build essential skills and make progress sweet.

Choose challenging repertoire to extend,
Your capabilities, and become a true friend.

Lastly, review and refine what you've learned,
So your piano skills will be well-earned.

A Royal Conservatory piano student's way,
​Is to practice each week, with dedication and play.

William.

On March 4, 2023, I will be performing with the Toronto Concert Band as a pianist and percussionist. I practice every day in preparation for, and in anticipation of, an exciting evening of music making. However, the piano part of Cait Nishimua's "Pukaskwa" is challenging. (The piano part enters after a tricky rest.) So, to boost my confidence I've transcribed the melody from the recording that immediatly precedes my entrance. This, I hope, will make my entrance stronger and more confident. 

I'll let you know how it turns out.

​David

Listening (5 minutes) Listen to professional recordings of the piece(s) you will be practicing today and then play your "party piece" or your "goto" piece. 
Warm-up (10 minutes) Play your assigned scales, arpeggios, and technical exercises. Multiple repetitions using a metronome are recommended. 
Repertoire (20 minutes) Play your piece(s) focusing on sound quality, phrasing, dynamics, and rhythm. I suggest working on small chunks Later, when you are close to the exam, you should run your program, without stopping, to build endurance. 
Sightreading (5 minutes)
Theory (10 minutes)
Ear Training (5 minutes) Review the requirements of the grade.
Conclusion (5 minutes) Review an old favorite

If I can help you, call me. 

David
revised 2024
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Question: What are the elements I need to consider, as a musician, to improve my aural skills?

Answer: To improve your aural skills as a musician, you should consider the following elements:

1. Pitch recognition: the ability to identify and match the correct pitch
2. Rhythm: the ability to accurately identify and reproduce rhythms, including meter, tempo, and note values
3. Intervals: the ability to identify and recognize different distances between two pitches
4. Chords: the ability to identify and recognize different chord progressions and chord qualities
5. Melody: the ability to recognize and remember melodic lines
6. Timbre: the ability to identify different instrument sounds and voice qualities
7. Harmony: the ability to recognize and understand chord progressions and harmonies
8. Form: the ability to recognize and understand musical structures, such as verse-chorus form and sonata form.

Practicing regularly, engaging in listening exercises, and taking lessons from a qualified teacher can all help to improve your aural skills.

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Sounds like the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum to me. 

​David

Piano Practice Guide


What should I practice to learn piano?

Here are some suggestions to help you learn piano:

1. Scales and Chords: Practice playing scales and chords regularly to build finger strength and dexterity.
2. Sheet Music: Start by learning to read sheet music and playing simple pieces. As you progress, gradually increase the difficulty of the pieces you play.
3. Theory: Study music theory to understand how different elements of music work together, such as harmony, melody, and rhythm.
4. Ear Training: Develop your ear by listening to music and trying to play what you hear by ear.
5. Repetition: Consistent practice is key to mastering any skill. Try to practice every day for at least 30 minutes.
6. Posture: Make sure to maintain proper posture while playing the piano to avoid strain and injury.
7. Find a teacher or mentor: Consider finding a local teacher or mentor to guide you and provide feedback on your playing.
8. Remember, learning an instrument takes time and patience. Stay motivated and enjoy the journey!

Once again good specific advice. 

David

A Royal Conservatory student, practicing piano,
Should aim for consistency, not just a one-time show.

First, warm up those fingers with scales and arpeggios,
Then move on to pieces, to let the music flow.

Technical studies like Hanon or Czerny,
Can help to build dexterity and avoid any injury.

Sight-reading and ear training, don't forget to include,
These skills are crucial and can't be misconstrued.

Challenging repertoire, should be in the mix,
To push your abilities, and you're playing to fix.

Lastly, review and refine, what you've learned so far,
Take your time, be patient, it will take you far.

So Royal Conservatory piano student, keep in mind,
Practice regularly, and you'll see yourself shine.

I may lose my mind. 

David

How should I practice piano?

To practice piano effectively, here are some steps you can follow:

1. Set clear goals: Determine what you want to achieve with your piano practice, whether it's to learn a specific piece, improve your technique, or develop your theory skills.
2. Warm up: Start with simple exercises to warm up your hands and get in the right mindset for practice.
3. Practice consistently: Make a schedule and stick to it. Consistency is key to making progress on the piano.
4. Focus on technique: Pay attention to your hand position, finger placement, and arm movements. Make sure you're using proper technique to prevent injury and improve your sound.
5. Use different resources: In addition to practicing with sheet music, use educational books, videos, and online resources to supplement your practice.
6. Pay attention to detail: Slow down and focus on individual phrases and sections, paying attention to details like dynamics and phrasing.
7. Review and reflect: Regularly review what you've learned and think about what you need to work on next. This will help you stay motivated and make steady progress.

Have fun: Finally, make sure to enjoy the process! Playing the piano should be a source of joy and fulfillment, not stress and frustration.

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Not bad. However, recording yourself is missing. 

David

How should I practice jazz piano?

1. Listen and Study: Start by listening to and studying great jazz pianists and their recordings.
2. Scales and Chords: Practice scales and chords daily to develop finger dexterity and chord vocabulary.
3. Improvisation: Practice improvising over jazz standards and progressions.
4. Transcribing: Transcribe solos from recordings and learn to play them.
5. Theory: Study jazz theory and harmony.
6. Jam sessions: Participate in jam sessions to gain real-life experience playing with other musicians.
7. Repetition: Repeat and practice the basics regularly to solidify your foundation.

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Good advice. 

​David