What Good Piano Practice Actually LOOKS LIKE

Summary

In this insightful video, David Lane, a music educator, challenges the misconception that effective practice should be smooth and steady. He illustrates the actual process with a graph, emphasizing two distinct stages: the initial 'Learning Phase' characterized by slow, deliberate effort, and the subsequent 'Practice Phase' where familiarity and subconscious mastery take over, leading to rapid progress. Lane advises patience and segmented practice for optimal learning, debunking the myth of instant proficiency and encouraging enjoyment of the learning process.

Takeaways

• 🎼 Practice Progress: The script explains that progress in learning music is not a smooth, steady line but rather occurs in two distinct stages.
• 📈 Learning Phase: The first stage involves a learning phase where the focus is on accuracy and consistency over speed, which can be slow and exhausting but is crucial for building a strong foundation.
• 🔄 The 'Click': There is a point in practice, referred to as 'the click,' where everything starts to come together, and the process becomes less tedious.
• 🔑 Practice Stage: The second stage is the practice stage, where the subconscious begins to take over, and the music becomes more familiar, leading to faster and smoother progress.
• 🚀 Subconscious Power: The subconscious mind plays a significant role in the second half of practice, allowing for the automation of familiar tasks and making them feel easier.
• 🚦 Common Mistakes: Two common mistakes are identified: mistaking the 'click' for the end of necessary practice and rushing through the first stage, leading to clumsy and error-prone playing.
• ⏱️ Time Distribution: The two stages of practice are not necessarily equal in time spent, with more time often spent in the first half.
• 📚 Incremental Learning: Breaking down the learning process into smaller segments, such as measures or phrases, can make the entire process feel more manageable and quicker.
• 💡 Realistic Expectations: The script sets realistic expectations for the learning process, emphasizing that even advanced musicians will experience the same two-stage process when learning new music.
• 🔍 Individual Variation: The time spent in each stage can vary from piece to piece, indicating that each learning experience is unique.
• 🌟 Continuous Learning: The script suggests that as musicians advance, they will be able to learn some pieces more quickly, but the fundamental process of learning remains the same.

Q & A

What does David Lane suggest is the first stage of effective practice for pianists?

The first stage is the Learning phase, where pianists engage their senses of sight, hearing, and touch, focusing on difficult passages, correct fingering, and smooth transitions.

How does David Lane describe the visual representation of progress during the Learning phase?

The Learning phase is represented by a graph with barely noticeable progress, where the x-axis shows time spent practicing and the y-axis shows progress, resulting in a slow and seemingly unproductive incline.

What is the term David Lane uses for the point where everything starts to feel like it's coming together during practice?

David Lane refers to this point as 'the click,' where the practice transitions from being tedious to becoming more cohesive and easier.

What is the second stage of practice according to David Lane, and how does it differ from the first stage?

The second stage is the Practice stage, where the focus shifts to using what has been learned. It is more enjoyable and involves mindful repetition, increasing tempo, and allowing the subconscious to take over, making the practice faster and smoother.

Why does David Lane suggest that the idea of smooth and steady progress might be a myth for some musicians?

He suggests it's a myth because if the music being learned is significantly more difficult than the musician's sight-reading level, the expected smooth and steady progress will not occur, and practice will initially seem much slower.

What common mistakes do students make during the practice process, according to David Lane?

Two common mistakes are mistaking the 'click' at the end of the first half of practice for the end of all necessary practice, and rushing through the first stage to get to the second, resulting in confident but clumsy and error-filled playing.

How does David Lane recommend breaking down the practice process to make it more manageable?

He suggests applying the practice process to smaller sections of music, such as eight measures, four measures, or even one or two measures at a time, which can lead to a quicker mastery of the entire piece.

What is the significance of the 'click' in the practice process, as explained by David Lane?

The 'click' signifies the transition from the Learning phase to the Practice phase, where the musician starts to internalize the music and it becomes more familiar, leading to a more rapid and enjoyable practice experience.

How does David Lane define the term 'practice' in the context of learning a new piece of music?

He defines 'practice' as the stage after the initial learning phase, where the musician uses what they have learned, with the term being related to 'practical,' which means applying knowledge in a familiar context.

What role does the subconscious play in the second half of the practice process, as described by David Lane?

In the second half, the subconscious begins to take over, handling what is familiar and routine, allowing the musician to play more effortlessly and with less conscious thought, making the practice smoother and faster.

Why does David Lane emphasize the importance of patience and enjoying the process during practice?

He emphasizes patience and enjoyment because the process of learning and mastering a piece of music involves both challenging and tedious stages, and maintaining a positive attitude throughout is crucial for effective learning and progress.