Guest post by Simon Nicholls (adapted from advice to an adult pupil, already in the profession as teacher and player) There is no such thing as a ‘note-bashing stage’. Rather, as soon as one or two notes are involved, there should be music being made; even if it’s slow-motion, dry, nothing like the finished article will… Continue reading Some elements of effective practice
Tag: practising
Challenging traditional practice at the piano
There are certain habits of piano practice which are ingrained in us from an early age and which have become a form of “piano dogma”. As a young piano student we may accept these practices without question, trusting in our teacher’s seniority and assertion that these activities are “good for you”, that they will make you “a better pianist”.
Piano Portals: 7 Secrets to Technique from Out of This World
Piano Portals: 7 Secrets to Technique from Out of This World - pianist & teacher Stephen Marquiss introduces Piano Portals
Coffee Shop Questions – a new series
Being confined to one's home for the duration of the coronavirus crisis may be an excellent reason to engage in more piano practice, but you may have questions arising out of your practising. In this new series, inspired by teaching sessions and conversations (in a London coffee shop) with a friend from my London piano… Continue reading Coffee Shop Questions – a new series
Play what you play best
The key is trying to limit yourself to perform only the pieces that will be best for you and the audience. Otherwise, you’re doing everyone—yourself, the composer, and the audience, a huge disservice. – Richard Goode, concert pianist I’m sure most performers would agree with Richard Goode’s statement, yet many, especially younger artists, are under… Continue reading Play what you play best
Make friends with the music
Too often it seems that we view learning, studying, practising and performing music as a kind of fight. People talk about "doing battle with Beethoven" or "fighting the fear" (of performing) as if one must take up arms against unseen, powerful forces. It's true that learning new repertoire can be a Herculean task, and practising… Continue reading Make friends with the music
Practising Tips with Frances Wilson
The first of a series of short films made in collaboration with Casio UK and Pianist magazine. In this film, I offer suggestions on how to make the most of limited practice time, and making practising productive and most of all enjoyable. Find out more about the Casio Premium Grand Hybrid https://youtu.be/hzZT_LyOJwE Frances Wilson is… Continue reading Practising Tips with Frances Wilson
The no-practice diary
Teachers and students are familiar with the practice diary, a notebook in which teachers write what students should be working on between lessons and students, or their parents, note how much practising has been done. When I taught children, I found the practice diary something of a chore: I would forget to write in what… Continue reading The no-practice diary
Feeding the practise habit
If we are serious about our music, our progress with our repertoire and our technical and artistic development, we need to establish good and regular practising habits, as regular as cleaning one’s teeth. No one, not even professional musicians at the top of their game, is born with an innate talent which negates the need… Continue reading Feeding the practise habit
Breaking the routine
Some years ago I belonged to a gym. I went regularly - 3 or 4 times a week - and followed the same sequence of exercises every time: rowing, cycling, cross-trainer, weight-training. After a while, it occurred to me that my fitness wasn't really improving as I was just “going through the motions”, following the… Continue reading Breaking the routine
A Piano Teacher Writes... 