FAQ | recommended
resources | piano:
bare essentials | Effective
Practice & Motivation
Below are some of the many different aspects involved in learning
how to practice effectively.
Environment | Goals
| Musical Form | Rhythm | Fingering |
Posture & Tension | Method | Memory | Pedal | Motivationl
MEMORY
There are different kinds of memory and students often have
different degrees of strengths in each of them: Aural, Analytical,
Visual, Kinesthetic.
A good musical memory can be developed with practice. Faulty
memory during a performance is often the result of performance
anxiety and/or inadequate preparation.
I recommend that students practice performing by playing for
friends and/or relatives before trying to perform
in public. Participation in group classes, workshops and/or
masterclasses can also be very helpful. Each successive 'performance'
will usually get easier and easier.
Aural Memory
Singing is an effective way to develop one's aural memory. A
very challenging and effective way to strengthen one's aural
memory is to extract certain passages from a piece and try to
transpose them into different keys. This can be extremely challenging
so you might want to start by transposing just the melody of
one single phrase. A very challenging and effective way to strengthen
one's memory is to extract certain passages from
a piece and try to transpose them into different keys. This
can be extremely challenging so you might want to start by transposing
just the melody of one single phrase.
Analytical Memory
Understanding the Musical Form of a particular piece can be
very helpful in the memorization process. Parallel Practice
is also a very effective way of assuring that the differences
of similar sections are really understood.
Visual Memory
Even if you are not blessed with a photographic memory, the
visual image of the printed score can be helpful. Consequently,
it is wise to use the same score and edition while learning
a piece so as not to get confused
by a different layout.
Kinesthetic
Try to decide on fingering as early on as possible.
