Hello,

Now that i am just recovering from my first piano lesson , i would like to get some sort of "pattern" going in my daily piano practice.

Before my lesson(s), I spent all my time just learning a piece of music, and doing the odd scale, and some exercises. Now though, however, I wish to get some very constructive practice under my belt, and was looking for suggestions. I have 2-3 hours to practice each day, and was wondering how to “break it down”.

Maybe my teacher will be able to suggest something on this, but was looking at some Forum user methods, those that YOU use each day when approaching the piano.

Scales, theory, arpeggios, aural, Technique, oh and pieces! – But in what order, and how much per session?.

TIA for replies.


Allzwell

With my grade 8 looming (Roughly 4 weeks away!!!! ARGHH!!!), my piano teacher has given me a big sheet with all of the scale requirements (the sheet is TOO big for my liking!), and what she has done is a block for each day, containing a selection of the scales etc that I have to practise for the day, and each day I use a different section of the sheet, so in one week, I cover all of the requirements for the grade.

This is just one way to practise scale requirements etc. You could perhaps write down each scale on a seperate piece of paper and put them in a box/bag/some sort of container and pick out a certain number each day to practise.

I've been told in the past not to do more than 45 minutes practise at a time, because apparently the brain doesn't take in as much information after 45 minutes and you begin to waste your time. You should take breaks often. You can obviously do 2-3 hours, but make sure you take breaks.

With pieces, It's better to perfect a few bars of a piece than to busk your way around the mistakes and only play the piece a few times, because thats a waste of time really if you don't look at the mistakes etc.

There's loads I haven't covered, but i'm sure others will mention them.

Jacob.

First of all I spend about 15 minutes sight-reading, 30 minutes scales and arpeggios. Then, I might play an exercise or two, or maybe a study if I feel my technique is slipping in some areas e.g. for finger strengthening or study for the left hand (maximum 15 minutes) - but quite often I don't as I try to make sure the pieces I'm learning are fairly balanced. I don't bother with aurals because I'm not taking exams in the near future.

Then I go on to the pieces. I have two or three going at once and often one requires more time than the other - so about 20 minutes for one and 20 for the other and then perhaps up to another 20 minutes on the first.

I used to stop at this point, but my husband recently asked an interesting question - "why do you always practise the piano - why don't you sometimes just play it?" and my piano teacher made a related remark - "you need to relax and enjoy it". So now I spend about 15 minutes playing pieces I've learnt previously and really love.

This is just what feels right for me. But I think it may be a very individual thing.

Just another word of advice - it's not a good idea to spend 2-3 hours all at one sitting. I don't spend more than about 40 minutes without taking a break.

Good luck
Jenny

Definetly agree with taking breaks. After 45 mins or so I start to make mistakes that I shouldn't be making i.e. sections I have played well in the past start to disintegrate. This sort of thing can potentially be bad for your confidence.

I also start with scales. I guess this is pretty common as it lets you warm up without too much effort.

My method of practicing is... not to have a method!

I have a keyboard with headphones set up close to my desk so I can switch chairs and play whenever I feel like it, and stop whenever I feel like it, rapidly alternating between tasks.

The 'cost' of practicing is therefore extremely low. I don't have to book a rehearsal room or even run down a flight of stairs. By wearing headphones I have privacy so I don't have to think about who might be listening.

Learning the piano is a creative process. It thus seems unlikely that any mechanical procedure (say, practicing for X minutes at such-and-such a time on certain days of the week, with rigid subdivisions for the various pieces, exercises, etc), will be of lasting value. Fixed procedures and discipline will require self-coercion at least on occasion and this tends to shut the mind down and produce tension in the body, whereas you want to be relaxed, receptive and playful.

If you're feeling bored of a certain piece, or your hands are sore, or your hands are fidgety, or you feel excited about a melody or musical idea -- these are superior practice guides. The good news is, you don't have to think much about them.

Of course problems will crop up which have implications for practice. For example, if your hands are sore at the beginning of a session you might want to warm up more slowly next time by reading a new piece. These are dealt with as they arise and then forgotten about.

I appreciate that some people have lessons and exams in their diaries and so would like to structure their practice around these. However, even here it seems inadvisable to impose too much discipline. Rather one would hope that practice is easy and enjoyable enough to exceed the relevant demands. Surely it is better to take a break from the instrument than to cease to enjoy it?

The beauty of the music itself is the truest motivator and guide: it is felt freely and spontaneously.

I have to disagree - I've found the best progress comes from a consistant and systematic approach. I'm particularly inspired by a post of Mad Tom's - http://www.abrsm.org/forum/index.php?s=&am...st&p=663971

My practice routine is the exact opposite of Mad Tom's

Thanks for replies.

Well, for one, i will be doing scales/arps, sightreading, theory, pieces etc, but getting the balance right takes time i guess, and "practice" in itself, so i feel i will prone myself to trial and error, as each individual is different (some books give you practice examples I read).

Jennyanydots, I think your right, PLAY the piano!



AllzWell