The Power of Perseverance in Learning to Play Piano: Why Musical Progress is Not Linear

Video highlights:
00:00. Introduction. Musical progress is not linear.
00:55. A musician's journey is like a roller-coaster. The importance of understanding how things really work.
02:08. It's the hard days that will really test your commitment to the instrument!
02:48. Learning to see things in perspective. A painting metaphor :).
03:49. The role of perseverance in this process.
05:08. A gym metaphor.
06:03. What are plateaus - and why sometimes we get 'stuck' on the same level. Transforming quantity into quality.
08:00. An important warning: ONLY quality work (detailed mindful practice) can lead to great results and help you to overcome a plateau!
08:36. Understanding the causes behind the 'zigzag' pattern of our progress. Everything happens in cycles - including our learning.
10:21. We usually only see what happens on the surface. Examples of less obvious 'variables' that affect our productivity.
11:14. Conclusion. Always try to keep things in perspective... and persevere.

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[fredirosas]

These words of wisdom can be aplied to so many situations life may present to us. Thank You.

[Joshua-dcbs]

I think this applies to ALL fields, not just music. As an aspiring neuroscientist, I have good days and bad days, setbacks and triumphs.

[ballistix]

Your channel is incredible. The way you convey information and incorporate concepts which are often over-looked regarding our minds and physiology is so valuable regarding attitude and approach to learning this instrument. If you're a serious Pianist looking to maximise your potential, this is one of the best channels you could follow. Thanks you for your invaluable insights.

[llMurcielagoll]

Either this is a mere coincidence that youtube recommended to watch this to me or it is monitoring my practice journey, I have just had one of those dips in my graph just yesterday with my alberti practice. Normally what I do if that starts to happen, I tell myself to stop for a moderate break, try a different exercise or try again the next day because the mistakes that happen, my brain knows the correct path and yet my fingers do something else for example (out of sync) as you have mentioned.

Thanks, Illinca.

Subscribed.

[chrisl]

Really useful, applicable and brilliant advice for not only piano but every aspect of life. For myself, this was the journey from not knowing Japanese to being accepted into a Japanese Recruitment company, from being overweight to my ideal weight and muscle, and now my journey to learning to play the piano has begun. Plateaus that appeared simultaneously without delay one after another, and through persevering by reminding myself of the end goal, that you just need to keep going when you feel like the whole world's against you, that you won't make any progress. Thank you very much for reminding of the feeling that I had long since forgotten!

[Audiojunkk]

Keep coming back to this video after a frustrating day in the studio! Thank you so much for making this

[davidbee]

Your holistic mind, body and soul approach to learning music is brilliant - your ideas and methods are so well and eloquently presented - the best I've seen. I really respect your not wanting to sugar coat the learning process . . . perhaps the rhythm of our learning curve can be thought of as the musical rhythm of life. I have one three letter word printed in large capital letters on an 8X10 sheet of paper posted above my practice keyboard that keeps me going on the down days - JOY - if joy is the end goal then practice and the effort we put into learning will always lead to success.
In another video, your mention of the importance of expression in every note we create is brilliant too. I think that we all are at our happiest in moments of creation. I will be joining your classes soon!
THANK you!

[delusionspodcast]

The mental aspect and lvl of difficulty are very important to consider. Sweet piano podcast

[Kidpunk]

Wow, just wow. I have been stuck for a couple months on this piece that I decided to play. of what I play, and I have to say, this so accurately described what I have been going through and reassured me of everything. You are right, the plateau do end up teaching you ton! I cannot count how much knowledge I have amassed due to simply not being able to make big octave jumps. I went down every rabbit hole and researched so much about technique. I just want to say that you are very special, and I'm sure you heard it before. But take it from someone who has scoured the depth of youtube for piano advice. You are by far the most accurate, articulate, and overall best teacher. You are truly a teacher. What defines a good teacher is their ability to get their ideas across in the most understandable and simplified way, and then to also always be able to push and motivate their students to never give up. You my friend, have both those qualities! I would've loved to take lessons with you, but I live all the way in Dallas haha, You should definitely set up and offer online lessons! Thank you for your videos, and for being you

[jimmysotelo]

Its never a bad day playing a piano! a note, a tune. loves us!

[embrown]

Ilina is an astonishingly intelligent and insightful teacher and writer.

[Audiojunkk]

I come back to this video every couple of months and it always puts things in perspective with my compositional practice. Thank you so much for sharing this excellent advice! It's rare to find such reassurance and encouragement.

[GUPRPEET-Singh]

I keep coming back to this video. I came here after 5 months approx. From last few days my progress is having a great downfall. I can't beleive its happening. From last 30-35 days i was astonished to see my growth. I was taking giant steps in learning. Things became quite easy and simple. I was so happy. But suddenly this happened i broke a key on my dp. I was scared to death because i knew that in these lockdown days i could not even get it repaired. But somehow i manage to get it repaired with the help of youtube videos. But after this incident i have lost my confidence. And i didn't played my piano for 2 days and after that when i took courage to play it. I was playing like its my first days on piano literally. My fingers were not moving the way it was trained in last 8 months. May be i am scared of breaking more keys (Honestly this is the exact reason). I must have been putting lot pressure than require on keys.
As i said my last 5 -6 days are getting worst than ever. Felt like i lost my touch and forgot everything that i ever learned. That little bit of smoothness that I've developed in 8 months is gone. Forgetting notes also. Feeling very very sad. But not hopeless as i know this just a phase that will pass. And this video is helping me to realise that fact. I hope this incident of breaking key becomes a learning to me.
Date : 22 May 2020

[emarekica]

These videos are such gems. Thank you!

[callmedeno]

I don't why, it's something I've thought before and most people would agree, but it really hit me just now in a deeper way. thanks

[julieannedelacruz]

Thank you very much for this video. I have learnt a lot. As I am myself quite an impatient person this helped me a lot. Especially the part when you said that what happens around us can affect our practice - absolutely true. Everything that you said was spot on. I have absolutely experienced those. I have been having lessons for years now. I am working and studying at the same time and of course dealing with daily life - hence, for the past years I have not been able to practice daily nor attend lessons weekly as planned. And I feel that I am stuck and not progressing at all. But looking back from where I’ve started to where I am now, I’ve actually improved. I will always remember your words of wisdom. Be humble and don’t get depressed. Thanks so much for this wonderful video. I will never, ever give up! ❤️❤️

[Audiojunkk]

Once again back at this video! thank you so much for sharing this I hope it never disappears as its such a helpful well of encouragement. Thank you Ilinca

[GUPRPEET-Singh]

That graph at 0:35 is the graph of life. It is applicable in every aspect of life/learning. No matter what you do or learn. There are always some days of learning jumps, plateau, pseudo downfall. This keeps on happening again and again and again. Just be persistent. Thats all one need.

[Bassynater]

I have been watching your videos for a few days now and they are so inspiring! You go into such detail on the material and it makes for pure quality! Thank you so much for sharing your musical and life knowledge for others to grow as well!

[noremac]

I am so glad I found your channel. You are the most insightful and competent teacher on you tube!!!