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> Bizzarre Practice Methods, Tell me yours...
Mini_mo
post Oct 21 2010, 08:36 AM
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My other half came in from Roller Hockey training last night to find me at the piano with 2 bananas perched on my shoulders (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I needed to concentrate on not lifting or tensing my shoulders in a particular section with alberti bass and thought by putting something with weight there it would remind me to play with my fingers only! And the bananas seemed to fit the bill.

It worked, although my husband was in hysterics!

Anyone else tried anything unusual? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
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missypiano
post Oct 21 2010, 08:41 AM
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My teacher once asked me to practise my scales with a sheet of paper on the back of my hands so I would use my fingers and my hands wouldn't go up and down.
I wish I had counted the number of times I retrieved that sheet of paper from the floor!!! I ended up with a backache the next day! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
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Mini_mo
post Oct 21 2010, 08:51 AM
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QUOTE(missypiano @ Oct 21 2010, 09:41 AM) *

My teacher once asked me to practise my scales with a sheet of paper on the back of my hands so I would use my fingers and my hands wouldn't go up and down.
I wish I had counted the number of times I retrieved that sheet of paper from the floor!!! I ended up with a backache the next day! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)


I have balanced rubbers on the back of my hands but quite dull compared to bananas!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
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missypiano
post Oct 21 2010, 08:57 AM
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QUOTE(Mini_mo @ Oct 21 2010, 09:51 AM) *

I have balanced rubbers on the back of my hands but quite dull compared to bananas!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
We want to see pictures! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
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Jazz Chicken
post Oct 21 2010, 09:44 AM
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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) The banana trick sounds hilarious (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

My teacher got me to balance a 2p on the back of each of my hands when practicing scales, as soon as you tilt your hand the 2p flies off and usually ends up under the piano (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
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Bass Clef
post Oct 21 2010, 09:56 AM
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Hmmm... you've given me an idea! I think I might try the bananas - not so much for the shoulder thing, but just to keep morale high whilst practicing. I'm sure it's impossible to feel disheartened with two bananas on your shoulders (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Also you get to eat them afterwards (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
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Mini_mo
post Oct 21 2010, 12:24 PM
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QUOTE(Bass Clef @ Oct 21 2010, 10:56 AM) *

Hmmm... you've given me an idea! I think I might try the bananas - not so much for the shoulder thing, but just to keep morale high whilst practicing. I'm sure it's impossible to feel disheartened with two bananas on your shoulders (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Also you get to eat them afterwards (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)


Maybe that's how Dulciana progressed to one banana... she ate one of them! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

You could put 2 chips on your shoulder instead (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
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Ed the Tread.
post Oct 21 2010, 01:15 PM
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I practice rudiments on the drum kit with my eyes shut. This way I can concentrate on the sound produced and the feeling through my fingers. Can also be done with the lights off which is a good thing as sometimes at a gig I have to play with no stage lights on during introductions for example.
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Fran*Piano
post Oct 21 2010, 09:26 PM
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QUOTE(Jazz Chicken @ Oct 21 2010, 10:44 AM) *

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) The banana trick sounds hilarious (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

My teacher got me to balance a 2p on the back of each of my hands when practicing scales, as soon as you tilt your hand the 2p flies off and usually ends up under the piano (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)


I've done this before, I was surprised to realise it actually works!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rofl.gif)
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katica
post Oct 22 2010, 02:35 AM
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On the oboe...little pieces of paper between the finger tips and the keys, which mustn't fall out when you change notes. This is to learn not to lift the fingers more than necessary. You start with just one finger, then two, etc etc. It totally fries the mind!!!

The exercise is less useful in hot and muggy weather though - the paper tends to stick to the fingers. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

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dorfmouse
post Oct 22 2010, 06:48 AM
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Have been seen playing piano standing up, wearing gloves and with radio playing full blast ... practicing being nervous and avoiding distractions!
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andante_in_c
post Oct 22 2010, 06:50 AM
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QUOTE(katica @ Oct 22 2010, 03:35 AM) *

On the oboe...little pieces of paper between the finger tips and the keys, which mustn't fall out when you change notes. This is to learn not to lift the fingers more than necessary. You start with just one finger, then two, etc etc. It totally fries the mind!!!

The exercise is less useful in hot and muggy weather though - the paper tends to stick to the fingers. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

I get pupils to do a similar thing on flute - they have to lay a tissue over the back of their hand. If their fingers raise too high, the tissue falls off. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
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Tortellini
post Oct 22 2010, 10:46 AM
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I quite often practise the piano one-handed while holding a baby in the other but that's only for experts. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
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Mad Tom
post Oct 22 2010, 12:31 PM
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Not bizarre, but a useful tip from Chethams.

When practicing with just one hand let the other rest gently on the keyboard rather than on your lap or on the piano stool - where it distorts you position and your sensations.

By keeping the reting hand close to a normal playing position you achieve the correct balance of the body and the correct position of the arm and hand that are practicing.
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vectistim
post Oct 22 2010, 12:41 PM
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QUOTE(Mad Tom @ Oct 22 2010, 01:31 PM) *

Not bizarre, but a useful tip from Chethams.

When practicing with just one hand let the other rest gently on the keyboard rather than on your lap or on the piano stool - where it distorts you position and your sensations.

By keeping the reting hand close to a normal playing position you achieve the correct balance of the body and the correct position of the arm and hand that are practicing.


Plus, this has the advantage that when you're sight reading something and one hand isn't doing anything for a while, its still in more or less the right place when it comes back in, and prevents any sort of hiatus when it starts playing again.

Similar to the bits of paper, pennies, rubbers etc on the back of the hand, I was told to _imagine_ a glass of water.
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