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Tips, free lessons, and inspiration

Patience is a Virtue in Adult Piano Study: Dealing with Impatientance

3/24/2018

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Picture
Success at the piano has much in common with many other activities. That is, skill takes time, therefore patience is a virtue. 

​Most of us are impatient to one degree or another. Even if you are a naturally patient person here are some tips. 

  1. Meet other adult learners and compare notes on your piano journey. Recitals are excellent opportunities for this. Summer music camps are another. 
  2. Listen to piano podcasts detailing the experience of others. As a drum student myself, I've listened to over 400 podcasts from Drummers resource. I've learned from the stories of 400+ professional drummers. It's fun too. 
  3. Study metacognition: how to learn. I found this really helpful. Books and YouTube videos abound. Video below. 
  4. Read the Pianist magazine. Monthly inspiration in your mailbox.

Best, 

David Story
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Helping Students  Practice

3/19/2018

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Learning to practice effectively has many benefits. First benefit? Learning a piece well before you get completely sick of it.
I was helping a Grade 10 student review her practice habits. Her exam is in June, she is feeling stressed. I asked her to practice as if I wasn’t watching. I’d give her some feedback at the conclusion.
Her method:
1.       Start playing at near performance tempo.
2.       Make a mental note of errors of concern.
3.       Review these areas after completing the piece.
a.       Repeat, repeat, repeat
b.       Then on to the next area
Progress is slow
My method:
1.       Collect the materials needed for effective practice.
a.       Score
b.       Professional recording for reference
c.       Recorder to self record
d.       Pencil
2.       Listen to the professional recording while watching the score, making notes of dynamics, tempi changes, pauses and any notable events in the performance.
3.       Play very slowly with the professional performance fresh in the ears.
4.       Mark in the score the areas that need work.
5.       Listen to the professional play the problem area.
6.       Mentally rehearse the passage after considering what is the problem: fingering, rhythm, etc.
a.       Write in the fingering, if fingering is the problem.
b.       Clap the rhythms, if rhythm is the issue.
7.       Turn on the recorder.
a.       Start playing. Repeat slowly until your version approximates the professional version in flow and expression, even if it is slower.
b.       Listen and evaluate to each attempt.
Progress is quick
Best,
David Story

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Recording Yourself in Practice

3/8/2018

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Knowing how you actually sound goes a long way to improving how you sound. Here are some strategies.
  1. Simply put the recorder on your phone on at the beginning of practice. Later listen back to how you spent your time. An eye opener for sure. For a funny story see Benny Greb, master drummer in this interview Drummers Resource. http://www.drummersresource.com/benny-greb-interview/
  2. Record one hand then play back with the other. Graham demonstrates these techniques in the video below.

​Enjoy. 

​David
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    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.
    Charlie Parker

    Author

    I'm a professional pianist and music educator in West Toronto Ontario. I'm also a devoted percussionist and drum teacher. 

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  • Homepage
  • Tips, Ideas, Stories, Free Lessons
  • Adult Lessons
  • Jazz Workshop #Eleven March 5, 2023
  • Contact form, fees, calendar, policies
  • Philosophy
  • Testimonials
  • Children's Winter Concert 2023
  • My Story
  • Student awards and compositions
  • Classical downloads
  • Classical outline for beginners
  • Jazz downloads
  • Jazz outline for beginners
  • Video Library of Piano Techniques
  • Breakfast Piano Minute
  • Books, Apps, Websites, Music
  • Ear Training and Sight Singing Resources