Ten Things Serious Pianists Do Every Day

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares ten essential daily practices for serious pianists, aimed particularly at incoming college students. The practices include listening to and studying scores, daily sight-reading, attending concerts, recording oneself for critique, protecting practice time, mastering scales and arpeggios, improvising and composing, addressing musical weaknesses, and engaging in discussions with peers. These strategies are designed to enhance musicianship, technical skills, and overall readiness for rigorous piano studies, fostering a deeper connection to music and encouraging growth as a musician.

Takeaways

• 🎶 Regularly listen to and study musical scores to enhance understanding and appreciation of the pieces you are playing.
• 📚 Dedicate time daily to sight reading to improve your skills, even if it's through simple music like hymnals or children's books.
• 🎤 Attend live performances to develop a comprehensive understanding of different musical styles and professional musicianship.
• 📼 Record yourself playing and critically assess your performance to gain a better understanding of your sound and areas for improvement.
• 🗓️ Protect your practice time by scheduling it and sticking to your plan to ensure consistent progress.
• 🎹 Master scales and arpeggios in all keys, as they are fundamental to being a competent musician.
• 🎼 Regularly improvise and compose to develop fluency in music beyond just playing what others have written.
• 🧠 Identify and work on your musical weaknesses daily, whether it’s sight reading, memorization, or technical skills.
• 🤝 Engage in discussions with other musicians to share insights, motivate each other, and deepen your musical knowledge.
• 📝 Continually work on your repertoire and be prepared to showcase your progress when you start your music studies.

Q & A

What is the purpose of this video?

The video aims to guide incoming piano majors on essential daily practices to prepare for college-level study and improve their musicianship.

Why is it important for pianists to listen and study scores?

Listening and studying a broad range of music helps pianists understand the context and intricacies of the pieces they are playing, leading to deeper interpretative skills.

How can sight reading improve a pianist's skills?

Regular sight reading practice helps build fluency and confidence in reading new music, which is crucial for performance and overall musicianship.

What types of literature should pianists read?

Pianists should read biographies of composers and music history books to gain context about the music they study, which enriches their understanding and appreciation.

Why should musicians attend concerts?

Attending live performances exposes musicians to high-quality artistry, provides inspiration, and helps them learn from professional techniques and interpretations.

What is the significance of recording oneself?

Recording allows musicians to critically evaluate their performance, gain an accurate perception of their sound, and identify areas for improvement.

What does it mean to protect practice time?

Protecting practice time involves scheduling dedicated hours for practice and ensuring that these hours are free from distractions, which is essential for making consistent progress.

Why are scales and arpeggios important for pianists?

Mastery of scales and arpeggios in all keys is fundamental for technical proficiency and helps develop a pianist's understanding of musical structures.

How does improvisation contribute to a pianist's development?

Improvisation encourages creativity and helps pianists develop fluency in music, allowing them to express themselves beyond simply playing notated music.

What should pianists do when they identify weaknesses?

Pianists should confront their weaknesses directly by dedicating time each day to work on specific challenges, whether they are technical, sight-reading, or historical knowledge.