The Most Effective Practice Technique - Piano Lesson

[michaeltraub]

Also work at once on the last section of a movement so you ultimately reach finality in perfection. This is a mind booster.

[nickk]

Robert, I can't tell you how much you have helped me by teaching me how to practice. I was never taught how years ago. I'm playing again and making fast progress. I now can do both Liebestraume cadenzas after a few weeks of practice your way. Thank You!

[kathleencook]

Brilliant tips.
Makes perfect sense from a Learning Theory perspective!.
I really like and understand this Tip because it is from a Learning Perspective rather than a Teaching Perspective.
It has come just at the right time for me.
I have been struggling with "memorizing" pieces.
Teacher kept pushing the "ear training"
method only!
I like to absorb and understand what is written down first and then pull it apart!
Your method firs my way of learning perfectly.
Practising your method has restored my love of music with all its "difficulties".
You are such a good Teacher.
Thank you.

[ER-bgbo]

Thanks again, Greetings from East Germany 😊

[chanelw]

I usually practice a page at a time of a piece and usually put on my calendar when I practice. So say I have a piece that is 4 pages, I will practice page one for say, 4-7 days, depending on how difficult. Then I do the same for the other pages and I ONLY practice that page. After that I will combine pages like 1 and 2 for 4-7 days and then 1-3 and so on until I have it down. Then I can refine the parts that are harder for me on certain pages by itself.

[JayMSinger]

I don't memorize (although I'm reconsidering) but, especially Mozart can cruise along until 1 or 2 measures requires intense practice. I use my metronome to identify the sections that need work, gradually increasing the tempo. I'm currently working simultaneously on Chopin, Bach and Mozart moving everything along.

[richardlehoux]

I arrived to a very similar method for different reason. I did not want to get bug down on a passage for to long and get bored. I also wanted to practice reading during my practice session by using part of sheet I did not know.

[pianoforte]

So helpful! All of your videos are helpful and so interesting! Thank you so much.
Glad to hear this because this is how I practice. My problem is I end up with more unpolished pieces than polished. However this helps and motivates my practice effectiveness immensely!

[abz]

Great explanation !! Would you be willing to do a segment on how to chose correct fingering for a passage, and explain why that is the best choice? Thank you in advance.

[eddydelrio]

I agree with the process but disagree with the direction. To master a work after that initial survey, I start at the END, and master and memorize section by section until reaching the beginning. That way, once you have gotten to the start, each following section is MORE practiced and secure, rather than is often the case where the end is the least practiced and secure.

[marcusvaldes]

Why are beginner/intermediate books not organized by key? Seems it would be good to look for pieces you like within a key you are learning/practicing.

[aliceloke]

One thing that perplexes me is that not many touches on the subject of when the (modern) piano was actually manufactured and used by the composers then? Yet we try to play pieces that were meant for the where the base note were held by a pedal (not by a finger). and also the keys of the olden instruments were narrower? Would appreciate some advice on this.

[Lion_McLionhead]

The lion kingdom has 5 pieces in various stages. Eventually, they all get memorized & spend a long time equally bad.

[matthewphilip]

I don't see the point in trying to memorize a piece. If you learn to to play the piece to a high level you will have it memorized at the end without even trying, maybe with a measure here and there as exceptions.