The 10 Commandments of Piano Lessons by Fanny Waterman revisited and critiqued in 2024

Fanny Waterman was a legendary piano teacher in the UK who died in 2020 at the age of hundred. She was big on rules in the piano studio. My responses are lettered.

The following ten practice rules are modified from her book. 

1. Sit straight with your fingers rounded.
2. Practice each day.
       a. Ms. Waterman lived in a simpler time. However, without regular practice, progress is difficult. Therefore, it is important that the student’s practice time is aligned with their ambitions and goals.
3. Before practicing new pieces, clap and count aloud the rhythms within.
         a. Use a metronome to keep your counting honest.
4. Write in the appropriate fingering and then stick to it. Different hands will require different solutions.
       a. Begin by following the fingering given.
5. Begin a new piece hands separately, then hands together.
6. Play slow enough to eliminate or minimize errors.
       a. In my own practice I note the tempo that I play without making errors. Each practice I begin at this tempo. Over time the music will speed up with minimal errors. 
7. Master the rhythm before adding rubato and other rhythmic variations.
8. Never play through a mistake. Stop and correct it and then correctly repeat it numerous times before proceeding.
9. Pay attention to and fully understand the meaning of all the markings and text in the score.
10. Listen to how you sound.
      a. Self-assessment is difficult. Recording yourself is your best chance of accurate self-assessment. I have 15 years of drum practice recordings on my hard drive. (No kidding) I also practice in front of a mirror to check my posture.

Fanny Waterman pg. 10-11, 1983

Note what is missing. There is no mention of listening to professionals play your pieces before you begin practicing. This is my new rule. Listen and listen often. Know every note by heart.  

If I can help you, call me.
 
David